The drug Aredia is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Novartis in order to treat cancers, hypercalemia, and Paget's disease. These conditions and the therapies used to treat them can hinder calcium in the body and Aredia is prescribed to help alleviate the detrimental breakdown of bones and other hard tissues.

Unfortunately for unsuspecting users of Aredia, the medication can cause a number of serious side effects. The FDA alerted dentists and other health professionals to the risk of Aredia and other intravenous biphosphonates causing a condition known as osteonecrosis of the jaw, also known as ONJ, dead jaw, or phossy jaw. This condition is known for pain, infection, and swelling of the gums, as well as loose teeth, prolonged healing periods in the mouth, and exposed bone along the jaw. In the most extreme situations, large parts of the jaw must be removed.

Novartis reported that they were aware of 875 ONJ incidents between December of 2002 and February of 2005. These occurrences lead to the drug maker pulling Aredia from the market in the U.S. in 2005, years after its approval in 1991. Many more could be at risk from Aredia-induced side effects because too few are aware of the dangers to this day.

If you or a loved one suffered from a serious complication caused by Aredia treatment, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your painful experience. Don't let your state's statutes of limitations expire before you hold drug makers accountable for their negligence and for sacrificing consumer safety. Talk to an experienced and knowledgeable defective drug lawyer today.