The most popular osteoporosis drugs may be more dangerous than we ever imagined

Hard to swallow

When Sally Field says, “Don’t lie down”–you better listen. Do NOT lie down!

But this important instruction applies only to those who are taking a bisphosphonate osteoporosis drug such as Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel, and others.

And I REALLY hope that’s not you. Because the more we find out about this drug, the worse it gets. And now it’s gone from worse to worst because new evidence reveals significant risk of a potential life-threatening danger.

Big numbers…bad news

Have you ever wondered about those specific instructions that tell bisphosphonate users to drink a full glass of water and not lie down for 30 minutes after taking the drug?

Here’s why…

If the drug isn’t swallowed properly, it can irritate the esophagus. If that happens too often, it can cause esophagitis–inflammation of the esophagus. According to Fosamax prescribing instructions, esophageal ulcers and esophageal erosions “occasionally with bleeding” may also occur.

So just getting this pill down your gullet is very serious business. But as bad as those side effects are, the long-range potential for damage with esophagitis is MUCH worse.

A few years ago, Danish researchers reviewed more than 11,000 medical records and found that patients with esophagitis were significantly more likely to develop esophageal cancer.

Recognizing the importance of this potential link, a team of UK researchers examined medical records for more than 78,000 patients. As reported this past September in the British Medical Journal, the UK team found that extended bisphosphonate use (about five years) nearly DOUBLED the risk of esophageal cancer.

This is pretty horrifying when you consider that more than 20 million people have used Fosamax since it was introduced in the 90s. And that’s just one brand of this very popular class of drugs.

I hope you’ll share this e-mail with anyone you know who might be using or thinking about using a bisphosphonate drug. Most importantly, they should know that once they’ve successfully swallowed their pills, that’s when other serious dangers loom–especially when the drug is taken for several years.

You can click on this link to find out more about risk of bone fractures with bisphosphonate use.

And at this link you’ll find a discussion of MUCH safer ways to improve bone health and reduce fracture risk.

Sources:
“Exposure to Oral Bisphosphonates and Risk of Esophageal Cancer” Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 304, No. 6, 8/11/10, jama.ama-assn.org

“Oral bisphosphonates and risk of cancer of oesophagus, stomach, and colorectum: case-control analysis within a UK primary care cohort” British Medical Journal, Vol. 341, No. 4444, 9/2/10, bmj.com