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Osteoporosis Drugs CAUSE Fractures of the Hip

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March 16, 2010
	Dr. Tim McCrossen : Head Fitness Ego

The front page of the USA Today, March 11, 2010 issue brought to light some eye-opening effects of osteoporosis drugs known as biphosphonates.  At last week’s conference of the American Academy of Orthopedic  Surgeons, research was presented to show that long term use (greater than 4 years) of biphosphonates  by post menopausal women actually increased the incidence of hip fractures.

The Drugs mentioned in the study included Boniva, Fosomax, Reclast, and Actonel. The research states that the drugs actually helped in the first few years of use to help strengthen the bone and decrease the rate of bone loss but after four or five years the bones became more brittle. Post menopausal women are at greater risk of osteoporosis.

Biphosphonate drugs are some of the most popular pulling in about 3.5 billion dollars a year.

Not surprisingly, the drug companies aren’t agreeing with the research and state they are going to fund more research to see if there really is a causal relationship.

When speaking on this subject with a dentist friend of mine he stated that biphosphonate drugs have also been shown to cause osteonecrosis  (bone death) of the jaw. I looked up this subject in PubMed (highly regarded medical research site) and there were plenty of studies to back up this assertion.

They state osteonecrosis of the jaw was seen more in cancer patients treated with biphosphonates than the general population. Actually 5-10% of cancer patients developed the condition. 

In summary my advice to you is know what you are putting into your body. Every drug has a side effect, good and bad and this case we can see both. More research needs to be done in this arena, but after looking at the research out there, it does open one’s eyes.

My next post will be on tips to help with the condition of osteoporosis and what you can do about it.  A HINT:  It has Good Vibrations!