Possible link between Bisphosphonates and Atrial Fibrillation

Honestly, I did not go looking for this!  I went to the FDA web site looking for a link to an experimental use of a medicine I'm now taking.  

But when I clicked--this came up and I thought I'd better bring it to your attention.  The FDA is beginning to look into a possible link between oral and introvenous  Bisphosphonates Such as Reclast, and Fosamax and

serious cases of Atrial Fibrillation.

Apparently, there are serious cases of Atrial Fibrillation that have been reported with these medications in two studies and the FDA is at the beginning of an investigation.

 The FDA is beginning their investigation of bisphosphonates.---They are urging that that Doctors and Individuals  to report side effects from the use of bisphosphonates to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program. 

• on-line at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm

"There are 7 FDA-approved bisphosphonates: alendronate (Fosamax, Fosamax Plus D), etidronate (Didronel), ibandronate (Boniva), pamidronate (Aredia), risedronate (Actonel, Actonel W/Calcium), tiludronate (Skelid), and zoledronic acid (Reclast, Zometa)"

http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/early_comm/bisphosphonates.htm

This information reflects FDA’s current analysis of available data concerning these drugs.  Posting this information does not mean that FDA has concluded there is a causal relationship between the drug products and the emerging safety issue.  Nor does it mean that FDA is advising health care professionals to discontinue prescribing these products. FDA is considering, but has not reached a conclusion about whether this information warrants any regulatory action.  FDA intends to update this document when additional information or analyses become available.