Product Liability Lawyer Dallas Texas | Biophosphates and Esophageal Cancer

Biophosphates and Esophageal Cancer

Biophosphates are a group of drugs that are used to treat osteoporosis. Currently, the FDA is investigating whether there is an increased risk of esophageal cancer that results from use of these drugs. The FDA, according to MedScape.com, has not reached a conclusion on this matter. There have been contradictory conclusions reached by different studies about whether or not this group of drugs is linked to an increased risk of this type of cancer, which is a particularly dangerous type of cancer.

The Drugs

Aredia, Boniva, Fosamax and Zometa are all drugs that fall into the category of Biophosphates. These drugs are taken orally and, currently, the FDA is urging physicians to make certain that there patients understand the correct way to take these drugs. The drugs need to be taken, according to the FDA, with a full glass of water right away in the morning. They are also asking patients not to lie down for at least half an hour to a full hour after having taken the drug. The concern is that doing so causes the drug to wash back up the esophagus.

At present, the FDA does not believe that there is enough evidence that this drug is linked to esophageal cancer to constitute endoscopic examination of the people who have taken it. However, patients who do have symptoms may want to contact a doctor to see if they are at risk of esophageal cancer.

Drug Recalls

If Biophosphates end up being recalled, it will certainly not be the first time that drugs have been recalled because they proved to present a threat to patients. Numerous other drugs have been taken off of the market because of the side effects that they have been shown to exhibit. Accutane, for instance, was removed from the market once it was found that it had a connection to Crohn's disease, a debilitating bowel disorder.

If you believe you have been prescribed unsafe drugs without having all of the side effects disclosed to you beforehand, you may want to contact a defective product attorney. They may be able to help you file a lawsuit against the manufacturer that could get you compensated for the pain and suffering and the medical expenses you endured.  Because being exposed to these drugs and not being warned beforehand that you may have been putting yourself at risk for devastating side effects related to their usage can entitle you to compensation.