Bisphosphonates Cause Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Filed in archive Drugs, Vaccines and Therapeutics on October 10, 2006

A review article published in Current Opinions in Orthopaedics discusses the incidence of osteonecrosis of the jaw as a side effect of bisphosphonates, drugs used to improve bone strength in patients wherecancer has spread to the bones.

ONJ typically develops months or years after therapy with intravenous bisphosphonates begins. Researchers have noted that when ONJ occurs, it usually follows an invasive dental procedure such as an extraction where the wound does not heal in a normal fashion. To try to prevent ONJ, it has been suggested that patients maximize their oral health and take care of any invasive dental work before they begin bisphosphonate therapy.

Clinical trials are being designed to further investigate the incidence and causes of ONJ as linked to bisphosphonate use. See University of Michigan's feature story for the overview.