ROCHESTER, Minn., Dec. 7 (UPI) -- There have been reports of partial death of a jawbone related to osteoporosis medications, but the risk is very small, says a U.S. newsletter.
The December issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter says to treat osteoporosis millions of Americans take oral bisphosphonate drugs, a class of drugs that includes alendronate, or Fosamax; ibandronate, or Boniva; risedronate, or Actonel; and others.
Estimates indicate about 20 cases of osteonecrosis may occur in a year in this large group of people taking the medications. Osteonecrosis is characterized by jaw pain, swelling, loose teeth and exposed jawbone.
However, the health risks associated with osteoporosis -- a disease that causes bones to become brittle and to fracture -- are high. More than half of Americans over the age of 50 either have or are at risk of developing osteoporosis.
If a fracture occurs, you're at risk of becoming disabled, ending up in a nursing home or even dying, the newsletter says.
It's not fully known how oral bisphosphonates are associated with osteonecrosis or why it occurs in the jaw, but most cases have occurred after tooth removal or oral surgery, according to the Health Letter.
