Cons of Taking Bisphosphonates

Discussion #7Discussion #7
Some of the rare side effects of bisphosphonates (commonly used to treat osteoporosis and Paget’s disease) include femur breaks (even without a fall) and rotting jawbones (osteonecrosis). According to the NY Times article (2016) (link below), 10-40 in 100,000 have experienced femur breaks and less than 100,000 have experienced osteonecrosis. Also according to the New York Times, this had led many people to refuse these medications and prescriptions for these medications have dropped by more than half.

Lawsuits related to these rare side effects have prompted patients to refuse and/or stop taking these medications, as well as the FDA to include several written warnings about these medications since their introduction to the market in 1995. In addition, as these medications are no longer protected by manufacturer’s patent and can be produced in generic form, there has been less of a push to advertise benefits of these medications.

Read the following overview about the benefits and risks of taking bisphosphonates from National Osteoporosis Foundation: https://www.nof.org/news/new-wall-street-journal-article-on-the-benefits-of-bisphosphonates-outweighing-the-risks-for-many-patients/
Then, read the following article, “Fearing Drugs’ rare Side Effects, Millions Take Their Chances with Osteoporosis: found at: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/02/health/osteoporosis-drugs-bones.html?_r=0

Additional information about recent side effects and law suits involving Fosamax can be found on drugwatch: https://www.drugwatch.com/fosamax/

For your discussion post:
1.  We know that there is about a 50% risk of fracture for women older than 50 and more than 1.5 million fractures happen a year related to osteoporosis. We also know that the risk of immobility and worse, death, is higher with fractures, especially those in the hip. After reading your text and the articles, discuss the pros and cons of taking bisphosphonates.  Do you think it is worth the risk?
2. Based on course content and what you have read in the articles, why do you think doctors are prescribing less of this medication now? And, do you think they should be? What is the physician’s responsibility in preventing fractures related to osteoporosis and their often deadly subsequent risks?
3. What other strategies would you recommend to patients to prevent/treat osteoporosis?

lease use attachment as a reference as well as links to websites. A minimum of 10 lines are required.For more information on cons of taking bisphosphonates check on this:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphosphonate#:~:text=Adverse%20effects-,Common,minutes%20after%20taking%20the%20medication.