Fosomax is a prescription drug commonly used to treat osteoporosis. It has been hailed as a "bone builder," but its side effects can range from mild dizziness and headaches to moderate stomach problems and even severe side effects such as decaying of the jaw bone. This hotly-debated possible side effect of Fosomax has been the source of hundreds of lawsuits against the manufacturer.
Mild Side Effects
Mild side effects of Fosomax include dizziness and headache as well as alteration to the tastebuds, causing foods to taste different than normal.
Moderate Side Effects
Moderate side effects include stomach problems such as nausea, constipation, diarrhea and vomiting. Other flu-like symptoms including achiness and exhaustion often occur when people initially begin using Fosomax, and these symptoms usually subside after a few weeks.
Severe Side Effects
Severe side effects that require immediate medical attention include difficulty breathing because of swelling in the throat, rash, hives, bloody stools, bloody mucus, heartburn, severe muscle pain, severe stomach pain, and swelling in the lower body or jaw.
Treatment of Side Effects
Treatment of side effects includes the use of antacids and stomach soothers such as Alka Seltzer for heartburn and stomach pain, and Ibuprofen for headaches and muscle aches. Combining aspirin with Fosomax has been determined to cause upper gastrointestinal problems, so aspirin should be avoided.
Lawsuits
Merck & Co., the firm that manufactures Foxomax, has been inundated with lawsuits by patients claiming that they have experienced osteonecrosis (decaying of the jaw bone) as a result of using Fosomax. In 2007, the company set aside $48 million for defense against these lawsuits. The relationship between Fosomat and osteonecrosis is still under intense debate and scrutiny.
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