Women who take the drug Fosamax for osteoporosis may be at an increased risk of developing an irregular heartbeat. Researchers have linked the drug - widely prescribed to stop bone-thinning in older women - to a condition known as atrial fibrillation. This is not necessarily serious, but can in some cases lead to a stroke according to the Archives of Internal Medicine study.
It is not the first research to examine a link between Merck's Fosamax - whose generic name is alendronate - and atrial fibrillation, but its suggestion that the drug may increase the risk by 86% is higher than previous findings.
"Having ever used alendronate was associated with an 86% higher risk of newly detected atrial fibrillation compared with never having used the drug," said Dr Susan Heckbert, who led the research. But she added: "Careful judgement is required to weigh the risks and benefits of any medication for any individual patient."
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing the latest information about Fosamax and the risk of atrial fibrilation. I had to get off Fosamax after seven months due to intolerable side effects. Did you know that strontium citrate is an excellent alternative for treating osteoporosis? Please visit my blog at http://strontiumforbones.blogspot.com/
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