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What are the possible side-effects of bisphosphonate treatment?

Studies show that the most commonly reported side-effects of bisphosphonate treatment are: 1) Osteonecrosis of the Jaw; and 2) low-trauma bone fractures.

What is Osteonecrosis of the Jaw?
Studies show that Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) or Bisphosphonate Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (BONJ) is a disease where the jawbone does not heal from injury. This disease has also been known as Dead Jaw, Fossy Jaw or Phossy Jaw. Usually, the disease is prefaced by a simple dental procedure or other trauma to the jawbone. Thereafter, the jaw quickly becomes infected and all or a portion of the jawbone can actually die and/or fracture and be painfully thrust through the skin and gums.

What are low-trauma bone fractures?
Studies show that low-trauma bone fractures generally occur as a result of a fall from standing height or less, where the bone breaks in an unusual, horizontal pattern. Such fractures have been found to generally occur in the femur (thigh) bone. However, bone necrosis and bone brittleness have also been reported to have been found, though much more rarely, in other parts of the body.

Full post as published by New Jersey Law Blog on May 04, 2009 (boomark / email).