Fosamax Dangers: More Trouble for Merck (press release)

Wednesday, August 02, 2006 by: NewsTarget
Tags: health news, Natural News, nutrition

Fosamax, the popular osteoporosis drug made by Merck, has now been linked to a condition called osteonecrosis according to findings published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. This rare disease causes a patient’s jawbone to rot and die. Merck also makes Vioxx, which was pulled off the market in 2004 after it was shown to cause an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Merck was recently hit with major punitive damages and is facing 10,000 Vioxx-related lawsuits, according to the Wall Street Journal. This week a Florida-based law firm has filed suit against Merck in U.S. District Court in Fort Myers seeking class action status claiming that Fosamax was heavily marketed as a safe drug while the company hid the dangerous side effects from the public. Fosamax appears to be headed in the same direction as the now defunct Vioxx.

The question those on Fosamax and other bisphosphonate drugs should ask themselves is why would a company intentionally put vulnerable patients on a drug that has proven to be harmful? “This is a health scam” states Byron J. Richards, nationally-recognized health expert and author of Mastering Leptin. “Fosamax is being promoted as preventative health care when there is no real research to back up this claim.”

There are natural support options for individuals dealing with bone health issues. Diet and exercise play an essential role in bone health. People who are more active with diets rich in organic fruits and vegetables tend to have healthier bones. Nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, protein, vitamin D, vitamin K, boron, silica, strontium, and manganese are important factors for supporting healthy bones. Taking high quality calcium such as coral calcium and microcrystalline hydroxyapatite (available in Daily Bone Xcel™ by Wellness Resources®) is essential for building healthy bones.