The Food and Drug Administration have notified doctors and patients who prescribe and use bisphosphonate drugs that they may face an increase in risk of thigh bone fractures. Bisphosphonate drugs are used to strengthen bones.

These unusual fractures occur just below the hip joint and have reportedly been making up about 1 percent of all femur bone fractures. Although it is still unclear if the bisphosphonate drugs are a direct link to the increase of femur fractures, the FDA is changing the drug labels and adding it as a potential risk and side effect. Some officials believe that since there is not timeline or limit on how long a person should take the bisphosphonate drugs, those patients who have been using the drug for over a five year time period are at an increased risk of femur fractures.

Bisphosphonate drugs are used to treat such bone issues like osteoporosis and other diseases that cause weak brittle bones. Although these drugs may cause fractures, FDA officials say that patients are taking these types of drugs should continue their treatments unless they are directed to stop by their doctor.