[Osteonecrosis of the jaw secondary to oral alendronate: Report of three cases]

Rev Med Chil. 2009 Feb;137(2):275-9. Epub 2009 Jun 10.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Osteonecrosis of the jaw associated to biphosphonate use is more common in cancer patients with bone metastases, that are using intravenous diphosphonates. When these drugs are used orally the risk of the complication is lower. We report 3 diabetic women aged 69, 76 and 82 years, receiving alendronate 70 mg every one week. The unveiling event was the extraction of several teeth without the use of antibiotics. All had bone pain, purulent discharge, loss of bone and halitosis. All improved five months after discontinuing alendronate.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alendronate / adverse effects*
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / adverse effects*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Jaw Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Maxillary Diseases / chemically induced
  • Osteonecrosis / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Alendronate