Anti-osteoporosis and Bone Cancer Drugs may Lead to Painful Dental Condition

From the frying pan to the fire. Such seems to be the case of those taking drugs for osteoporosis or bone cancer.

It has been found that increasing use of such drugs leads to osteochemonecrosis – a condition which causes bone death, particularly in the jaw.

It is thought that up to 100 patients a year have been diagnosed with the disfiguring condition since it was first identified four years’ ago.

But experts believe that it is becoming more common as a result of more people taking certain drugs.

Osteochemonecrosis is associated with the use of bisphosphonate drugs for osteoporosis and bone cancer, especially when used intravenously, although only a small number of patients are potentially at risk.

The condition causes pain, swelling and infections and usually occurs at the site where a tooth has previously been extracted.

The National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS) and Wales’ chief dental officers have issued briefings to dentists about osteochemonecrosis.

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David Thomas, a consultant in dental public health for South West Wales, said, “This condition can be very serious and it can mean a patient will need surgery to their jaw.

“It is much more common in the lower jaw and usually relates to a tooth extraction. But not everyone who takes bisphophonates is more liable to get this condition.”

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Cases of osteochemone- crosis have been found among patients taking nitrogen-based bisphos- phonate medicines, including Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva and the IV cancer drugs Aredia and Zometa. There are ways to minimise the potential risk of osteochemonecrosis for patients, but there is no current way to eliminate risk entirely. The NPHS has recommended that good oral hygiene and regular dental care is the best way to lower the risk. Prevention is best.

Source-Medindia
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