Study: One in 25 Fosamax Users Develop "Jawbone Death"

Chicago, ILA recent study has revealed that the osteoporosis drug Fosamax can cause one's jaw bone to disintegrate.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, examined more than 13,000 Fosamax users and found that about 1 in 25 people suffered from osteonecrosis of the jaw, according to AOL Health. Osteonecrosis is sometimes called jawbone death and it takes place when the jaw does not heal after a minor injury; the condition results in swelling, infection, pain and exposed bone.

Additionally, a University of Southern California report looked at 208 people who took Fosamax and found that of those, 66 had to have teeth extracted and nine patients developed osteonecrosis of the jaw, according to WebMD Health News.

One of the researchers, Dr. Parish P. Sedghizadeh, warns dental patients who take Fosamax that "you may be at risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw, and certain dental treatments may increase that risk."

Fosamax has also been associated with an increased risk of thigh and other bone fracture among those who take the drug.