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You’ve been taking Fosamax, Actonel, or Boniva. Your doctor prescribed it to you for
osteopenia. I’m here to tell you about two important studies that have been released
this month that are relevant to you. My name is Matthew McCauley. I’m an attorney with
Parker Waichman and I head up the unit in charge of investigating the bisphosphonate-
related femur fractures. Bisphosphonates are medications such as Actonel, Boniva, and Fosamax.
They are commonly used for patients who suffer from osteoporosis and osteopenia; osteopenia
being a very mild form of osteoporosis. This month the New England Journal of Medicine
and the Archives of Internal Medicine released studies indicating the prolonged usage of
these medications by patients who suffer only from osteopenia may be related to what are
called “atypical” femur fractures. An atypical femur fracture is the type of a broken
leg you suffer basically from just walking, stepping off of a curb. They’re commonly
described as fractures occurring in individuals who stood up, got out of the shower, twisted
their leg, every day common movements of your body. They’re fractures that are not related
to trauma or they’re only related to very small falls. In the Archives of Internal Medicine
article that came out this month, they found that 82% of those suffering from atypical
femur fractures were using a bisphosphonate or Fosamax, Boniva, or Actonel. This is a
stark increase in the number of patients that they are seeing and their investigation continues
on. The New England Journal of Medicine publication this month was actually written by members
of the FDA and they also found an increased reporting of atypical femur fractures in patients
who were taking Fosamax, Boniva, and Actonel. If you’ve suffered a femur fracture, call
me. I investigate these cases every day. I look at Fosamax, Actonel, or Boniva cases
each day from individuals who have suffered fractures or on behalf of family members of
them. In addition, if you haven’t suffered a fracture but have been on one of these medications
for more than 3 years, you should consult with your physician and see if it’s the
appropriate medication for you. Thank you very much for watching. I’m Matthew McCauley
from Parker Waichman.