The FDA has notified healthcare professionals and patients that at this point, the data that have been reviewed have not shown a clear connection between bisphosphonate use and a risk of atypical subtrochanteric femur fractures. The FDA will continue to review new information as it becomes available and will provide an update review is complete.
Healthcare professionals should continue to follow the recommendations in the drug label when prescribing oral bisphosphonates. Patients should not stop taking their medication unless told to do so by their healthcare provider. Patients should talk to their healthcare provider about any concerns they have with these medications.
Oral bisphosphonates are commonly prescribed to prevent or treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Medications in this class include
Actonel (risedronate tablets, from
Procter & Gamble),
Boniva (ibandronate tablets and injection, from
Roche),
Fosamax (alendronate tablets and oral solution, from
Merck), and
Reclast (zoledronic acid soln for IV infusion, from
Novartis).
For more information visit
www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm204127.htm.