FOR ANYONE TAKING OSTEOPOROSIS DRUGS

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FDA MedWatch - Bisphosphonates- Possible Cause Of Severe And Sometimes

Incapacitating Bone, Joint, and/or Muscle PainHi All,

Several of you take these drugs & may not be aware of serious side effect that

may occur years later. Toss

FDA MedWatch - Bisphosphonates- Possible Cause Of Severe And Sometimes

Incapacitating Bone, Joint, and/or Muscle Pain

FDA informed healthcare professionals and patients of the possibility of severe

and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint, and/or muscle (musculoskeletal) pain

in patients taking bisphosphonates. Although severe musculoskeletal pain is

included in the prescribing information for all bisphosphonates, the association

between bisphosphonates and severe musculoskeletal pain may be overlooked by

healthcare professionals, delaying diagnosis, prolonging pain and/or impairment,

and necessitating the use of analgesics. The severe musculoskeletal pain may

occur within days, months, or years after starting a bisphosphonates. Some

patients have reported complete relief of symptoms after discontinuing the

bisphosphonate, whereas others have reported slow or incomplete resolution. The

risk factors for and incidence of severe musculoskeletal pain associated with

bisphosphonates are unknown.

Healthcare professionals should consider whether bisphosphonate use might be

responsible for severe musculoskeletal pain in patients who present with these

symptoms and consider temporary or permanent discontinuation of the drug.

Read the complete 2007 and 2008 MedWatch Safety Summary including a link to the

FDA Drug Information Page regarding this issue at:

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#Bisphosphonates