Aredia Lawsuit and Side
Effect Information

Aredia is a drug previously used with cancer medications to minimize bone loss. It was also used in some postmenopausal women as a treatment for osteoporosis. However, in 2004, claims of jaw bone death were made and several Aredia lawsuits were initiated. Since that time, other medications were shown to have similarities with Aredia’s side effects, and many similar medications have been taken off the market.

Aredia - Overview

Aredia is a member of a group of medications called “bisphosphonates.” These strong medications are often used in conjunction with cancer treatments and work by decreasing the amount of calcium that a patient’s bones release into their blood. It was also prescribed for “Paget’s disease." Aredia’s lawsuits claimed patients suffered bone death, especially in the jaw. Its maker, Novartis, removed it from the market in 2004.

Aredia Problems and History of Legal Action

Aredia was originally used in conjunction with other cancer treatments in patients with breast or bone cancer with metastases of the bone. Given by injection, it worked by decreasing the amount of calcium released by the bones into the blood.

Unfortunately, shortly after hitting the market, there were reports of bone loss in the jaws of patients who had received Aredia, prompting the FDA to add a ‘precaution’ to the drug’s label in 2004. Letters outlining Aredia’s side effects were sent, warning doctors of its potential for serious side effects, and many Aredia lawsuits were filed.

Aredia was also prescribed to postmenopausal women in their late 40s or early 50s with evidence of, or risk factors for, osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is also known as "brittle bone disease." Patients with this condition lose bone density through calcium loss associated with menopause.

It is estimated that over 36 million women are currently taking Aredia or a similarly working drug, and thus there is great potential for additional Aredia lawsuits.

In the past, postmenopausal women were treated with synthetic hormones to keep their bones healthy. However recent studies have linked synthetic estrogens with increased heart disease and stroke, so many women have instead been prescribed Aredia or drugs of its similar class to ward off osteoporosis. This means that many women have been and continue to be exposed to long term treatment with these potentially hazardous drugs.

Patients who had received Aredia or who were receiving the drug were advised to visit their dentists to be screened for potential jaw bone problems. By 2004 Novartis had received at least 500 reports of jaw problems in people taking Aredia or similar drugs.

The condition became prevalent enough to be given its own nicknames, “bis-phossy jaw" or “dead jaw.” This painful condition can only be remedied by oral surgery, including removing the dead bones and teeth. Side effects of the surgery can include jaw and tooth numbness, chronic pain and recurring infection.

Current Status of Aredia Lawsuits

Shortly after the initial reports of jaw bone death in patients receiving Aredia, similar findings were occurring in patients using other drugs in the same class (bisphosphonates). These included drugs such as Fosamax, Zometa, Boniva and Actonel.

Over 2400 claims against these drugs have been filed since 2001. Lawsuits have been filed requesting class action status. Aredia’s lawsuits are among those filed and no settlements or verdicts have been published to date.




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