Aredia

Aredia is the clinical name for pamidronic acid, a popular treatment for bones and osteoporosis. It is also used in the treatment of Hypercalcemia, cancer, and Paget's disease. The drug is produced by Novartis.

On May 18th, 2005, the FDA and Novartis informed dental healthcare professionals of an amendment to the label and prescription information accompanying prescriptions of Aredia. The amendment notes the occurrence of osteonecrosis of the jaw, or ONJ, amongst cancer patients treated with the drug. Novartis first became aware of the drug in September of 2004 and informed dentists and other professionals of potential risks. Novartis officials have stated they received 875 reports of ONJ from 2002 through 2005.

Symptoms and indications of ONJ include, but are not limited to: swelling or infection of the gums, loose teeth, poor healing of the gums, numbness, a feeling of heaviness in the jaw, generalized pain in the jaw area, drainage, and exposed bone. ONJ can leave the patient asymptomatic or it can progress so far as to require sections of the jaw to be removed.

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