Bone Drugs linked to Irregular Heartbeats
A class of medicines, called bisphosphonates, prescribed to treat millions of people with osteoporosis appear to increase the risk of irregular heart beats, according to an analysis of earlier studies by researchers from the University of Miami.
In three studies with a total of 16,322 participants taking a placebo or osteoporosis drugs that included alendronate, sold as Fosamax, and zoledronic acid, or Zometa, patients taking the medications were significantly more likely to have an incident of serious atrial fibrillation, or irregular heart beat, that included hospitalization or death.
The study was presented in Philadelphia at the annual scientific conference of the American College of Chest Physicians.
The researchers concluded that doctors need to take the risk of such adverse events into account when prescribing the medications. And the study suggests patients taking a medication in that class of drug should let their doctors know if they feel symptoms that can include palpitations, light-headedness, chest pain or shortness of breath. These two nitrogen containing bishosphonates have also been linked to a serious condition involving the “death” of the jawbone called osteonecrosis or ONJ.
Bisphosphonates linked to heart problems
Bisphosphonates are a class of medications that increase bone mineral density. They are commonly prescribed to treat people with osteoporosis and also for people who have suffered hip fractures. Bisphosphonates may also be used to treat Paget’s disease of bone.
This class of medications includes alendronate (Fosamax), zoledronic acid (Reclast), ibandronate (Boniva), risedronate (Actonel), and more.
Although effective, these medications can cause serious side effects in some people. Gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, stomach pain, constipation and diarrhea can occur. Of more concern are rare side effects, such as osteonecrosis of the jaw, unusual bone fractures, and severe muscle, bone or joint pain.
Now, there is some evidence that they may also be linked to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation– an erratic heart rhythm that can lead to blood clots that may cause heart attacks or strokes.
“In addition to possible gastrointestinal side effects, bisphosphonates can have possible cardiac side effects. For serious cases of atrial fibrillation, there was a significant increase in risk — about 68 percent,” said review lead author Dr. Jennifer Miranda, an internal medicine resident at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, who is expected to present the findings Monday at the American College of Chest Physicians annual meeting, in Philadelphia.
Here’s the latest from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on bisphosphonates and atrial fibrillation
Seniors and bone death or osteonecrosis of the jaw
Recently, the channel 4 covered a story about seniors facing “bone death” of the jaw, otherwise known as osteonecrosis or ONJ or more lately BONJ.
More than half of people in the U.S. over the age of 50 are being treated for low bone mass or osteoporosis — more than 44 million people. Many take medicines called bisphosphonates, which are prescribed to prevent further bone loss but can help cause the condition.
ONJ causes pain, swelling, infections of the gums or jaw, gums that will not heal, loose teeth, numbness, drainage and exposed bone.
