Fosamax at the center of FDA review involving cancer risk

According to an Associated Press story this week, the FDA has announced that it’s investigating bone-strengthening drugs due to a possible increase in throat cancer. This report comes after a number of differing research pieces on the subject has had conflicting results.

Major brands such as Fosamax and Boniva are two of the big name bone strengthening drugs which are often prescribed for postmenopausal women. The report states that FDA representatives have yet to reach a final decision on the issue and that it will require an extensive review moving forward.

The release from the FDA states that they will continue to review the risk of esophageal cancer following the use of Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel and similar drugs. Some previous research has indicated that these medications can double the risk of esophageal cancer when used, but there is certainly some conflicting data present.

The story claims that there was British research conducted in 2008 focusing on nearly 3,000 esophageal cancer patients, which found that a slightly higher rate of cancer risk than normal for those who used the drugs. The conflicting reports include a similar study conducted in the U.K. on 80,000 patients around the same time which found no link from the drugs to cancer.

The report states that bisphosphonates such as Fosamax have already been proven to cause inflammation within the esophagus. Because of this previous link, some researchers have been thought to believe that the inflammation could signal bigger effects, such as cancer.

This story comes on the heels of an upcoming separate review by the FDA on Fosamax and similar drugs based on claims that they cause jaw problems and bone fractures. An FDA advisory committee is set to meet on September 9 to discuss whether long term use is safe and to find a recommended duration of use.

For a long time now, bisphosphonates have been previously tied to increasing risk of jaw issues. Reports have previously claimed that the drugs can cause the jaw bones to rot and decay, requiring jaw surgery to correct the issues.

Fosamax has already been linked with a number of different health problems in the past. The drug has primarily been tied to claims of femur and other body fractures which are tending to occur with little trauma. With the growing number of reports, Fosamax has also been at the center of numerous lawsuits because of a perceived failure to give proper warnings about the drug’s risks.

Reference:

The Associated Press. (July 21, 2011). “FDA reviewing potential cancer risk with bone-strengthening drugs after conflicting studies.” Retrieved on July 25, 2011 from the Washington Post