Re: Bisphosphonates

But ONJ in these cases is not rare, and it is a
condition with a significant morbidity itself, an no--that's
ZERO--effective treatment at this time.

Steve

Hi Steve,
I appreciate your response. Yes, I agree that ONJ has a significant
morbidity with no cure at this time. We surely don't have the full
picture yet. Still, I try to stay current with women's health issues.
Just so you know from where I get my information, here is what I am
being told in the current issue of my Harvard Women's Health
Newsletter:

Since we last wrote about this problem, more cases of osteonecrosis
have been reported. Most have occurred among cancer patients taking
intravenous bisphosphonates, but a handful have involved otherwise
healthy women taking oral forms of these drugs for osteoporosis
prevention or treatment...
....Compared to the millions of women taking bisphosphonates, the number
of osteonecrosis cases is still negligible. The American Dental
Association estimates the prevalence to be only about 0.7 cases per
100,000 person years. That translates to 7 cases per year for every one
million people taking oral bisphosphonates. The risk is mostly among
cancer patients taking zoledronate or pamidronate. To further
investigate the extent of the problem among otherwise healthy women
taking bisphosphonates, researchers at the Harvard School of Dental
Medicine are examining medical insurance claims for jaw surgery. Also,
the National Institute of Dental Research plans to study the
development of the condition in bisphosphonate-takers...

Hummy

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Bisphosphonates
    ... ...Compared to the millions of women taking bisphosphonates, ... cancer patients taking zoledronate or pamidronate. ... There have been a number of studies, and as you say the numbers of ONJ cases among ORAL bisphosphonate users is still relatively very low. ... Secondly, I wonder about the rationale for Harvard examining claims for jaw surgery, since current thinking recommends conservative treatment. ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)
  • Re: Can I get a cortisone shot in the shoulder if I have osteoporosis?
    ... although much more common with iv bisphosphonates than ... Like I said, it's much less likely with oral bisphosphonates, but still ... treatment is causing your frozen shoulder. ... They said two shots a year won't be bad. ...
    (sci.med.diseases.osteoporosis)
  • Re: Can I get a cortisone shot in the shoulder if I have osteoporosis?
    ... Frozen Bone Syndrome is a possible side effect of bisphosphonate treatment ... ... although much more common with iv bisphosphonates than oral bisphosphonates. ... Like I said, it's much less likely with oral bisphosphonates, but still a possibility. ...
    (sci.med.diseases.osteoporosis)
  • Re: Fosomax and bone density
    ... Larry wrote: ... ONJ cases occur with the more potent, injectable bisphosphonates, not ... Although bisphosphonates vary in their potency, ...
    (sci.med.diseases.osteoporosis)
  • Re: Fosomax and bone density
    ... Bisphosphonates have an estimated half-life in the body on the order of ... ONJ cases occur with the more potent, injectable bisphosphonates, not ... way around the ONJ problems that could potentially accompany ...
    (sci.med.diseases.osteoporosis)