Introduced by Merck in 1995, Fosamax caused an immediate sensation in the medical world…it was shown to not just slow the natural loss of bone, but to actually help rebuild it. Women who took the drug were found to develop denser hip bones and spines, making them less likely to break…

But don't be too hasty, says Dr. Robert Wermers, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. "To make a decision, you and your doctor need to consider your risk of bone fracture," said Wermers, pointing out that women over 50 have a 40 percent lifetime risk of breaking their hip, wrist or spine. "It's important to know if you have had previous spine or hip fractures, because this would indicate a high risk of fractures in the future."

Belleville News-Democrat  by Roger Schlueter, 12/6/09

Tags: Endocrinology / Diabetes, Fosamax, loss of bone