Fosamax linked to heart ailment

Researchers are reporting that the osteoporosis drug Fosamax appears to double a woman's odds of developing atrial fibrillation, a chronic irregular heartbeat. In a study of 1,700 women, women who had ever taken Fosamax had an 86 percent higher risk of atrial fibrillation than those who'd never taken the drug. But because Fosamax reduces hip fractures by 63 percent in women prone to osteoporosis, experts say doctors may find that the benefits of taking Fosamax may outweigh the heart risk. Plus, researchers report that the increased chances of atrial fibrillation exist if a person has ever taken Fosamax, so stopping the med won't cut the risk.

(USA Today) UPDATED 04/28/2008
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Conditions: | heart disease - 593 Articles | osteoporosis - 190 Articles Treatments: | Fosamax - 31 Articles
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