Osteoporosis drugs up bone necrosis risk

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- A Canadian study found a popular class of osteoporosis drugs nearly triples the risk of developing bone necrosis that can lead to disfigurement and pain.

Researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute conducted the study of bone necrosis and bisphosphonates, a class of drugs used by millions of women worldwide to help prevent bone fractures due to osteoporosis.

The study also studied the link between bone necrosis and specific brands of bisphosphonates -- such as Actonel, Didrocal and Fosamax. The findings follow a recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration alert about bisphosphonates that highlighted the possibility of severe and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint and/or muscle pain in patients taking the drugs.

The study, published online by the Journal of Rheumatology, based on the health records of 88,000 Quebec residents from 1996 to 2003, found that although the osteonecrosis side-effect is rare, the use of the bisphosphonates is very common.

"The message for women taking these medications is to pay attention to your pain," principal investigator Dr. Mahyar Etminan said in a statement. "Given the widespread use of these drugs, it is important that women and their doctors know the risks that come with taking them."