Osteoporosis drug linked to serious jaw disease
New research has found that even short-term use of a common type of drug used to treat osteoporosis may leave the jaw vulnerable to necrosis.
Pharmaceutical companies that oral bisphosphonates, such as Fosomax, have previously stated that the severe bone disease osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is only associated with intravenous use of bisphonates, and that the risk of ONJ with oral bisphosphonates is “negligible”. However, Parish Sedghizadeh, assistant professor of clinical dentistry with the University of Southern California School of Dentistry and colleagues found that 4% of patients taking oral bisphosphonates had ONJ.
“Four percent is not negligible,“ said Dr Sedghizadeh. “Here at the School of Dentistry we're getting two or three new patients a week that have bisphosphonate-related ONJ and I know we're not the only ones seeing it.”
Sedghizadeh PP, Stanley K, Caligiuri M, Hofkes S, Lowry B, Shuler CF. Oral bisphosphonate use and the prevalence of osteonecrosis of the jaw: An institutional inquiry. J Am Dent Assoc. 2009;140:61-66.
News Release: Dentist Links Fosomax-type Drugs to Jaw Necrosis. University of Southern California. December 21st 2008.
Health Headlines
upcoming Events
U.S. Events
congresses
fellowships
-
Fellowship in Integrative Cancer Therapy
Module I
Boca Raton, FL | Nov. 5-6, 2009 -
Fellowship in Integrative Cancer Therapy
Module II
Boca Raton, FL | Nov. 7-8, 2009 -
Aesthetic Medicine Modules IV & V
Columbus, OH | Nov. 14-17, 2009 -
Aesthetic Medicine Module I
Las Vegas, NV | Dec. 9-10, 2009 -
Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine Modules I, II, III & IX
Las Vegas, NV | Dec. 10-12, 2009 -
Preventative Medicine, Nutrition & Sports Medicine Module I
Las Vegas, NV | Dec. 9-11, 2009 -
Fellowship in Preventative Medicine, Nutrition & Sports Medicine Module III
Las Vegas, NV | Dec. 11-12, 2009
symposium
-
Advanced Hormone Symposium
Chicago, IL | Oct. 8-10, 2010
VIDEO: Bio-Identical Hormone
Replacement
Dr. Sangeeta Pati, one of the world’s foremost educators and practicing physicians in the field of HRT shared “The Nuts and Bolts of Hormone Restoration” via webinar. View the Webinar.
International Events
- Dubai | Nov. 8-9, 2009
- Shanghai | Nov. 10-12, 2009
- Bangkok | Nov. 12-14, 2009
- Mexico City | Jan. 15-17, 2010
- Milan | Mar. 18-20, 2010
- Sao Paulo | Nov. 12-14, 2010






