Quoted from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/bones-joints-and-muscles/articles/2011/05/04/study-finds-slight-risk-of-rare-fractures-from-bone-drugs
Study Finds Slight Risk of Rare Fractures From Bone Drugs
Benefits of bisphosphonates in preventing most fractures outweigh risk, experts say
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By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay ReporterWEDNESDAY, May 4 (HealthDay News) -- Bone-building drugs called bisphosphonates have been linked to rare fractures of the thigh bone, but Swedish researchers report that the risk is so small that most patients needn't worry.
Bisphosphonates include the widely used medications Fosamax, Boniva and Actonel, which are typically taken by people with osteoporosis to increase bone strength and prevent fractures.
"Osteoporotic fractures are quite common and bisphosphonates reduce this risk a lot, but the price you have to pay for that is a small risk in getting a so-called fatigue fracture," said lead researcher Dr. Per Aspenberg, a professor of orthopedics at Linkoping University.
"These findings must be seen in the context of the debate that has been going on for the past year," he added. "Our data argues very strongly for a causal relationship."