Concerned about Zometa/Aredia Jaw loss side effects

ldrew
ldrew Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi,

I am concerned that most people taking these drugs are
not aware of their severe jaw side effects. What is
the best way to inform people.

I have done some research on not only Zometa, but
Aredia and Fosamax side effects. These types of
drugs(bisphosphonates) have been linked to losing jaw
bone.
This side effect is called by many names, "Bis-phossy
jaw",, "Dead Jaw", "Jaw Necrosis, Osteonecrosis of
the jaw"


Cases have been reported since 2000 and yet it took
the drug company in late
2004 to admit that there is a link. The FDA has taken
Novartis(Zometa and Aredia) to task about
the delay and the methods used to inform the public.
Novartis says they have 875 reported cases to them
about people losing their jaw. Researchers believe
that this 875 numbr represents
only about 1 to 10 % of the people who have this jaw
condition from taking these drugs.

Now the warning is to have all your dental work before
you take these drugs
or don't have dental work at all while on the
drugs,and even then it can be risky

Here are many links that I found.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-03-13-jawbone-deaths_x.htm

http://www.cancerpage.com/news/article.asp?id=8122

http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/SB110245057172293526.htm

http://sev.prnewswire.com/health-care-hospitals/20050506/CGTH06205052005-1.html

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2005/zometa_deardentite_5-5-05.pdf

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2004/ZometaHCP.pdf

http://www.fdaadvisorycommittee.com/FDC/AdvisoryCommittee/Committees/Oncologic+Drugs/030405_iressa/030405_ZometaR.htm

You can also go to Yahoo , MSN, or Google and search
for "Zometa Side Effects"

Comments

  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #2
    The bisphosphonates do not, as a result of normal use, produce this condition. It develops in users of bisphosphonates following bone trauma to the jaw. This can be something as basic as having a tooth pulled so, you're right, we need to be aware. The danger is greatest in those receiving injections of either Aredia or Zometa. Fosamax and Actonel, taken orally, are much less potent than the intravenous form. According to published reports, they appear to be much less likely to cause the problem. Forewarned is forearmed. Make certain your dentist is aware that you are taking any of these drugs.
    terri
  • DeeNY711
    DeeNY711 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #3
    When you learn that you have metastasis to the bone, and that the cancer has eaten a spherical hole through 70% of the bone in your right upper arm, and you are losing weight at the rate of 2 1/2 to 5 lbs a week, and are told that even lifting a fork with your right arm would cause great risk of having the bone break, potential future effects of Zometa on your jawbone is not something that you worry about to any great extent.
  • dolson1948
    dolson1948 Member Posts: 1
    #4
    I have been desperately looking for other cancer patients that have taken Aredia or Zometa. I had breast cancer mestasised to my back, and for almost 5 years I had a monthly treatment by IV with Aredia. The drug was entirely responsible for the Osteonecrosis of my Jaw. I was ready to have some dental work done when my Dentist noticed a small portion of exposed jawbone on my lower right side. The exposed bone was in a place where I had a molar removed over 15 years ago, so there was no recent pulling of a tooth. He sent me to an Oral Surgeon who in turn showed me the Dental Medical Review Book for the month of May 2004. It was the very first time anything had been published on the subject, and I was the first patient he had ever seen with this incurable disease. He copied the article for me, and I read it over and over. The article said that Novartis, (the manufacturer of the drug) has been aware of this side effect for 3 years, yet they never sent out a warning to the public letting them know.
    I was so upset I emailed Dr. Ruggerio, Chief of Oral Surgery at the Jewish Medical Center in NY because he was the doctor that published the article. Not only did he email me back with answers to my questions, but he also called me at home. He said there was nothing that could be done to stop it from spreading or getting rid of it. He also said Novartis was starting an investigation into the drug in September of 2004.
    I am in constant pain, pieces of my lower jawbone keep falling out, and the exposed area of bone has tripled in one year. It is now headed toward my front bottom teeth, which eventually will fall out because of this disease. My quality of life has been ruined. I am more helpless with this disease than I was with my cancer. At least with cancer you have a chance to control it, you have hope. With this there is no hope, just desperation.
    I am looking for other cancer patients with the same disease that can tell me their story. I am going to get in touch with the FDA, who by the way is looking into why Novartis waited so long to announce the horrible side effect of this drug. I intend to take this further, and would like the support of other people suffering hopelessly like myself. Novartis has been looking at this drug and its side effects since 1998. I just cannot believe this. I have an upper denture, so if this disease takes my last 8 teeth on the bottom of my jaw, I will never be able to eat solid foods again. Please, if there is someone out there that wants to do something about this, please, please, let me know. You can email me at dolson1948@yahoo.com. Thank you all and God be with you. Donna

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