FDA Investigating Possible Fosamax-Related Femur Fractures

If you saw the ABC World News report this week showing the frightening femur fractures that some women who have been using the bisphosphonate drug Fosamax (alendronate) to fight osteoporosis are now suffering, you won't soon forget it. ABC's Richard Besser, MD, explained the drug may "limit...bone's natural ability to protect itself from stress." He continued, "In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration raised the issue with Merck" which, more than a year later, "added information on the package insert" warning of the possibility of "low energy femoral shaft and subtrochanteric fractures.'" Still, Besser noted, the agency has "never made an effort to inform the public or doctors across the country who are prescribing this drug of this possible side effect," but said it is "looking into reports of the fractures."