Fosamax - Recent Studies

CHIROWEB
            Dynamic Chiropractic – August 26, 2008, Vol. 26, Issue 18

      Fosamax (Alendronate Sodium)
      By Daniel Hough, DC
      These days, we are bombarded with advertisements for prescription drugs.
      Many of our patients are taking these drugs. In 2007, total revenue for
      the pharmaceutical industry was more than half a trillion dollars and its
      profits were more than $79 billion.1 As chiropractors, we need to be
      informed about these prescription drugs so we can educate our patients
      about their effects, side effects and dangers, as well as suggest safer
      alternatives when appropriate. (Don't count on their medical doctor or
      pharmacist to fully inform them.)
      Candidates for osteoporosis commonly are advised to get a dual-energy
      X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, an enhanced form of X-ray that detects
      bone density. The test results are reported in the form of two scores. The
      T score shows the amount of bone you have compared to a young adult of the
      same gender with optimal bone mass. A T score above -1 is considered
      normal. (A -1 T score represents a 10 percent loss of bone density.) A T
      score between -1 and -2.5 is classified as osteopenia and a score below
      -2.5 is defined as osteoporosis. The Z score reflects the density of your
      bones compared to others of your gender, age and size.
      Once bone density is determined, Fosamax (alendronate sodium) often is
      prescribed to treat and prevent osteoporosis. Fosamax works by inhibiting
      osteoclastic activity. Normally, old bone is removed by osteoclasts and
      then replaced with new bone by osteoblasts. While Fosamax does, in fact,
      increase bone density, it does not particularly increase bone strength.
      It's similar to trying to repair an old house by nailing new boards to a
      rotted structure; the walls are denser, but not a whole lot stronger.
      Merck & Co., Inc., the manufacturer of Fosamax, claims the drug is proven
      to prevent fractures. However, this is somewhat misleading. Although the
      Fracture Intervention Trial (a randomized, double-masked,
      placebo-controlled trial designed to test Fosamax's ability to reduce the
      rate of fractures in postmenopausal women with low hip bone marrow
      density) did show a reduction of fractures in patients with a T score
      below -2.5, there was no reduction in fractures for those who had a T
      score above -2.5.2
      On the contrary, a recent study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint
      Surgery suggests an increase in femur fractures with long-term use of
      Fosamax.3 Numerous lawsuits have been filed claiming osteonecrosis of the
      jawbone was caused by Fosamax. And according to the Physicians' Desk
      Reference, possible side effects include abdominal pain, bone and joint
      pain, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, muscle pain, nausea, abdominal
      distension, acid backup, difficulty swallowing, esophageal ulcers, gas,
      headache, vomiting, changes in taste, inflammation of the stomach, rash
      and skin redness.4
      Nevertheless, Merck is not experiencing much setback. Merck's 2006 sales
      of Fosamax were $30 billion. In 2007, Merck spent $7.6 billion on
      marketing and administration and $4.9 billion on research and
      development.5 The local CVS pharmacy in my town charges $94 for a month's
      supply of Fosamax.
      John R. Lee, MD, in his book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About
      Menopause, makes a good case that estrogen dominance contributes to
      osteoporosis and estrogen dominance can be controlled with natural
      progesterone.6 Adequate weight-bearing exercise and intake of calcium and
      vitamin D have been shown to strengthen bones.
      Hyperthyroidism has long been thought to cause bone loss. A recent study
      published in Molecular Endocrinology confirms this idea and indicates high
      levels of thyroid hormones do cause bone loss, but contrary to popular
      belief, low thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is not contributory to
      osteoporosis.7 Most medical doctors base the dosage of thyroid medication
      on TSH levels and consider a low TSH level to be indicative of
      hyperthyroidism, which is not necessarily true. A free T3 test, along with
      clinical correlation of the patient's signs and symptoms, is a much better
      indicator of thyroid status than a TSH test.8
      Likewise, another study presented in Molecular Endocrinology indicates
      it's a lack of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) rather than elevated TSH
      levels that cause abnormal skeletal development.9 Consequently,
      undermedicated hypothyroid patients might be at increased risk for bone
      loss.
      References
        Fortune Magazine, July 23, 2007.
        Cummings SR, et al. Effect of alendronate on risk of fracture in women
        with low bone density but without vertebral fractures: results from the
        Fracture Intervention Trial. JAMA, 1998 Dec 23-30;280(24):2077-82.
        Goh SK, et al. Subtrochanteric insufficiency fractures in patients on
        alendronate therapy. Bone Joint Surg Br, 2007 Mar;89(3):349-53.
        Sifton DW, et al. The PDR Pocket Guide to Prescription Drugs, 5th
        Edition. New York: Simon and Schuster, pp.540-2.
        Merck & Co., Inc. www. merck.com.
        Lee JR, Hopkins V. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause.
        New York: Warner Books, Inc., pp. 150-87.
        Duncan Bassett JH, et al. Thyroid hormone excess rather than TSH
        deficiency induces osteoporosis in hyperthyroidism. Molecular
        Endocrinology, 2007 May;21(5):1095-107.
        Hough D. "What Every Chiropractor (and MD) Should Know About the
        Thyroid." Dynamic Chiropractic, April 7, 2003.
        Duncan Bassett JH, et al. A lack of thyroid hormones rather than excess
        thyrotropin causes abnormal skeletal development in hypothyroidism.
        Molecular Endocrinology, 2008 Feb;22(2):501-12.

      Dr. Daniel W. Hough is a 1991 graduate of Western States Chiropractic
      College. A former member of the Montana Chiropractic Association Ethics
      Committee, he practices in Bozeman, Mont.