Didronel
The dangerous drug attorneys at the Law Offices of Gregory Krasovsky can provide legal advice and representation to individuals and families considering pursuing a Didronel lawsuit. In order for a plaintiff to secure a maximum settlement in litigation of a Didronel claim, regardless of whether in an individual lawsuit or in a class action lawsuit, it is crucial that the law firm representing you have a competent and experienced team of Didronel lawyers to guide you through all of the legal hurdles as well as direct you to sufficient funding (litigation funding or legal finance) to cover pharmaceutical litigation costs. Contact a Didronel attorney today to schedule a free consultation and take your first step to obtaining compensation for losses caused by Didronel side effects.
Didronel, called either Etidronic acid or Etidronate, is a bisphosphonate drug used to treat osteoporosis in postmenapausal women, strengthen bones, and treat Paget's disease. Because Didronel prevents bone calcification, other bisphosphonates like alendronate (Fosamax) are preferred for fighting osteoporosis. It is manufactured by Warner Chilcott Laboratories.
Like all Bisphosophonates, Didronel has some very serious side effects. The most significant Didronel adverse effects include osteonecrosis of the jaw, which has been the target of the bulk of Didronel litigation. However, other side effects include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Anemia
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Swelling Extremities
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Acute Renal failure
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Esophageal Cancer
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Femur Fractures
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Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
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Severe Muskoskeletal Pain
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Atrial Fibrillation
Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a condition in which the bone tissue in the jaw does not heal after minor trauma. As one can infer from the name, osteonecrosis is sometimes called dead jaw, because the bone in the jaw dies. This is one of the most serious side effects, because it seriously impedes quality of life and is visibly noticeable. Furthermore, because it can lead to infection, it often requires long-term antibiotic treatment or even surgery (either of which could have a slew of side effects).
After a patient has been diagnosed with osteonecrosis of the jaw, expensive and time-consuming treatments will have to be administered. In the most severe cases, the affected bone has to be surgically removed in a painful operation.
Atrial fibrillation is a non-fatal, but still dangerous condition in which the patient develops a chronic irregular heartbeat. In a study of the bisphosphonate Fosamax, researchers found that women taking Fosamax were 86% more likely to develop Atrial fibrillation than those who were not taking any bisphosphonates. A number of other studies have confirmed these results for bisphosphonates as whole.
Studies have also been conducted that have noticed that the probability of developing esophageal cancer doubles as a result of taking bisphosophonates. Although we would like to note that the normal probability of developing this cancer is 1 in 1,000, while bisphosophonates make the probability 2 out of 1,000. In a number of countries around the world, people have been disagnosed with esophageal cancer after having been prescribed to bisphosphonates.
The most counterintuitive of the bisphosphonate side effects is femur fractures. Although bisphosphonates are supposed to strengthen bones, prolonged use actually greatly increases the chances of suffering a femur fracture. This is partially because of counterindications with other drugs. The American Society of Bone and Mineral Research Femoral Fracture Task Force sent recommendations to the FDA that requested that the FDA include warnings about femur fractures on bisphosphonates in 2010. Subsequently, the FDA has issued an advisory stating that bisphosphonate use for more than four years might endanger bone health and strength.
If you or a loved one has been injured by taking Didronel, then you might be entitled to significant compensation in a Didronel settlement. A Didronel law firm can help you secure that settlement that you deserve. Contact one of our unsafe drug lawyers today to schedule a free and confidential consultation and take the first step to recovering damages and recovering normalcy in your life.