The following is a transcript of a report by medical editor Marilyn Brooks that first aired Feb. 5, 2008, on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m.

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Osteoporosis drugs, which are taken to prevent bone loss, can cause jawbones in women to deteriorate, a new study says.

WTAE Channel 4's medical editor, Marilyn Brooks, first heard about the news two years ago when women taking osteoporosis drugs like Actonel, Fosamax and Didrocal found they were losing jawbone.

Now, a new study from the University of British Columbia said those drugs triple the risk of bone necrosis, which leads to disfigurement and incapacitating pain.

At 58, Kathy Imhof looks healthy, but her bones tell a different story. Diagnosed with severe osteoporosis six years ago, she's fighting it.

"I've really been walking a lot," she said. "Diet. Some juices, there's some foods that have calcium added. And, then I do take Fosamax and Caltrate."

But Fosamax is a bisphosphonate, which is a class of drug used by millions of women to help prevent bone fractures. The new study said those drugs triple to risk of avascular or bone necrosis.

Normally, bone necrosis affects about one in 20,000 people. But according to the new study, it's happening to more women who are taking bisphosphonates.

Bisphosphonates inhibit the formation of cells called osteoclasts, which eat away old bone.

"By inhibiting what eats bone away, some how the blood vessels to the joint, once again, are pinched off leading to avascular necrosis," said orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dean Sotereanos.

The study found that in the shoulder, hip and knee joints of nearly 90,000 women who take bisphosphonates.

Earlier studies found it in the jaws.

"You can't go in and take this bone out, because it will make the problem worse," said oral surgeon Dr. Joseph Cillo.

Those taking the drugs should see their doctors right away. About 190 million prescriptions have been written for the drugs worldwide. What you and your doctor must do is determine whether the benefit of taking drugs like Fosamax is worth the risk of severe pain and immobility from bone necrosis.

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