Here is another article on possible problems with bisphosphonates, like Fosamax, Actonel, and Boniva. This one addresses a problem seen in some patients who have used these drugs for several years, who are suddenly breaking their upper thigh bones with little or no trauma. The article says that these are the type of fractures usually seen in car accidents, yet they are happening to some patients who, after weeks or months of unexplained thigh pain experienced their upper thigh bones breaking while they were walking or standing. Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/healt ... ref=slogin
These drugs have been discussed here before. Here is a link to an article Dr. McDougall wrote on them last April: http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2008nl/apr/osteo.htm
And an older article by Dr. McDougall on bone density: http://www.nealhendrickson.com/mcdougal ... uosteo.htm This one includes an explanation of absolute risk vs. relative risk to keep in mind when reading the claims for how well these drugs work, as in the claim in the New York Times article linked above.