Osteoporosis medicines ‘do not run cancer risks’

THE Irish Medicines Board said it did not consider certain medications for osteoporosis could increase the risk of cancer.

This follows a study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), which found that long-term use of bisphosphonates may double the risk of oesophageal cancer.

Oral bisphosphonates such as Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel, are frequently given to treat or prevent bone disease and can have gastrointestinal side-effects, such as nausea and abdominal pain.