Long-term safety of bone-strengthening drug questioned
SEATTLE -- An ABC News investigation has uncovered startling information that bone-strengthening drugs like Fosamax and Boniva may actually cause fractures. And a Seattle doctor says she's been warning the industry about it for years.
Dr. Susan Ott with the University of Washington Medical Center has even taken some of her patients off the drug -- one of them, a woman who has a painful story to tell.
Susan Day was vacationing in London in 2008 when a simple step turned her vacation upside-down.
"I simply took the first step of a down escalator and my leg just broke in two separate pieces," Day said.
She had to skip a trip to Scotland, and most of the holiday photos were taken inside a hospital where she spent six days.
She wonders if a prescribed medicine led to her misfortune.
"I was taking Fosamax," Day said.
Dr. Ott treated Day when she got home. The X-rays show where Day's femur simply split in two.
Ott has had fears about these drugs known as bisphosphonates, the most popular from Merck, called Fosamax.
Studies show that they successfully cut the odds of spine and hip fractures resulting from osteoporosis, and Ott believes the drug strengthens bones -- but at a cost. She says it also doesn't allow them to dissolve and naturally rebuild.
"If you take these kind of medicines, then you no longer can dissolve the bone and so the little cracks will accumulate," Ott said.
Until she says, the bone just snaps.
Merck responds saying it will study the safety of Fosamax, but, "based on what we know now we believe the benefits with bisphosfomates far outweigh potential risks."
Dr. Ott feels the drug is OK to take for about five years.
"After that, I have very grave doubts they're continuing to be safe."
The FDA is now investigating with outside experts.
In the meantime, Day now has a pin in her leg and doesn't want anyone to experience what she went through.
"It was terrifying, but more than that, it was excruciating," she said.
Her story has a happy ending; she's healed and last summer made it to Scotland.
Dr. Susan Ott with the University of Washington Medical Center has even taken some of her patients off the drug -- one of them, a woman who has a painful story to tell.
Susan Day was vacationing in London in 2008 when a simple step turned her vacation upside-down.
"I simply took the first step of a down escalator and my leg just broke in two separate pieces," Day said.
She had to skip a trip to Scotland, and most of the holiday photos were taken inside a hospital where she spent six days.
She wonders if a prescribed medicine led to her misfortune.
"I was taking Fosamax," Day said.
Dr. Ott treated Day when she got home. The X-rays show where Day's femur simply split in two.
Ott has had fears about these drugs known as bisphosphonates, the most popular from Merck, called Fosamax.
Studies show that they successfully cut the odds of spine and hip fractures resulting from osteoporosis, and Ott believes the drug strengthens bones -- but at a cost. She says it also doesn't allow them to dissolve and naturally rebuild.
"If you take these kind of medicines, then you no longer can dissolve the bone and so the little cracks will accumulate," Ott said.
Until she says, the bone just snaps.
Merck responds saying it will study the safety of Fosamax, but, "based on what we know now we believe the benefits with bisphosfomates far outweigh potential risks."
Dr. Ott feels the drug is OK to take for about five years.
"After that, I have very grave doubts they're continuing to be safe."
The FDA is now investigating with outside experts.
In the meantime, Day now has a pin in her leg and doesn't want anyone to experience what she went through.
"It was terrifying, but more than that, it was excruciating," she said.
Her story has a happy ending; she's healed and last summer made it to Scotland.