New study shows heart problems possibly leading to strock are linked with Fosamax, an osteoporosis treatment drug. Women who have used Fosamax are nearly twice as likely to develop the most common kind of chronically irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) than are those who have never used it.
Women who take the drug Fosamax for osteoporosis treatment may be at an increased risk of developing an irregular heartbeat.
Heart
Researchers have linked the Fosamax - widely prescribed to stop bone-thinning in older women - to a heart condition known as atrial fibrillation. This can in some cases lead to a stroke according to the Archives of Internal Medicine study.
It is not the first research to examine a link between Merck's Fosamax - whose generic name is alendronate - and atrial fibrillation, but its suggestion that the drug may increase the risk by 86% is higher than previous findings.
"Having ever used alendronate was associated with an 86% higher risk of newly detected atrial fibrillation compared with never having used the drug," said Dr Susan Heckbert, who led the research. But she added: "Careful judgement is required to weigh the risks and benefits of any medication for any individual patient."
It is not the first research to examine a link between Merck's Fosamax - whose generic name is alendronate - and atrial fibrillation, but its suggestion that the drug may increase the risk by 86% is higher than previous findings.