Drug Warning: Aredia

Generic name: pamidronate disodium (class known as bisphosphonates)

Manufactured and marketed by: Novartis

Purpose: Prescribed for the treatment of hypercalcemia associated with malignancy, Paget's disease, osteolytic bone metastases of breast cancer and osteolytic lesions of multiple myeloma.

Side Effects Reported

• Bisphosphonates in general have been linked to more than one thousand reports of osteonecrosis of the jaw.
• In a report published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 63 patients suffering from osteonecrosis of the jaw were examined. All 63 of the patients had undergone treatment with bisphosphonates.

Industry Report

Novartis added precautions to its labeling addressing the reported link to osteonecrosis of the jaw in bisphosphonate users. Patients have been advised to undergo a dental examination and attempt to correct any dental problems before beginning treatment with bisphosphonates. Invasive dental procedures such as tooth extraction should be avoided while taking bisphosphonates. There is no indication as to whether or not stopping the use of bisphosphonates will lower the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Seeger Weiss is not currently pursuing lawsuits on this drug, but its drug warnings will remain on our radar.

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