subject: Esophageal Cancer, Possible Side Effect Of Fosamax [print this page] There have been recent reports which claim that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had received reports of at least 23 patients in the United States where diagnosed with esophageal cancer while on Fosamax.The time frame of these instances of esophageal cancer falls between the initial marketing of Fosamax in October 1995 all the way to mid-May 2008.Currently there are no similar reports for other oral bisphosphonates in the FDA database for adverse-event reporting.However, by the time that the study was published, eight of the 23 patients had already died.As of date there has been no Fosamax litigation filed for these eight patients.
The FDA had reported that up to 23 patients in the United States had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer, with Fosamax as the suspect drug (in 21 patients) or the concomitant drug (in two patients).
Of the 23 patients, 18 were women, and the average age was 74 years.The study also showed that 14 of the patients had dose information, eight were reported to have taken Fosamax at a dose of 10 mg per day; five were reported to have taken 70 mg per week; and one was reported to have taken Fosamax once per week.
The study also showed that the average time that Fosamax was being used was about two years per patient.It is also indicated that not all information about the risk factors for all patients was provided, however one patient took Fosamax despite having Barrett's Esophagus, a precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Other risk factors could include smoking, drinking, and heavy acid reflux.
The FDA does however go on to say that a larger population size is needed to cement the link between Fosamax use and cancer, however the possibility of the event may scare off potential users.The biggest problem that most esophageal cancer patients face is that the symptoms of the early stages of this cancer rarely show themselves.
As the cancer grows symptoms that can start to show its difficulty, there is likely spitting up of blood and sudden weight loss.There are other potential side effects of Fosamax use, these side effects have been known to include low-impact bone fractures.Knowing what to look for and what to do when Fosamax side effects show is always important, and always consult with a doctor if these side effects begin to show.
by: Ronald Redman
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