Rare, long-term side effects of Prolia include fractures of the spine or femur (thighbone). These are serious. The fractures may require surgeries, take several months to heal, or both. Before you start Prolia treatment, talk with your doctor about how long Prolia's side effects may last.
How long can I stay on Prolia for? For Prolia to work well at reducing fractures it needs to be taken long term and in one phase 2 clinical trial it has been used safely for up to 8 years with substantial increase in bone density, although most clinical trials are for 3 or 4 years.
Stopping Prolia Abruptly Raises Fracture Risk
Bisphosphonates have an effect in the skeleton even after people stop taking them and can impact bone reabsorption for years after treatment discontinuation, says Dr. Moseley. Prolia's therapeutic benefits, on the other hand, don't continue after treatment is stopped.
In clinical trials of females* who'd gone through menopause, 10.8% of females taking Prolia had a skin side effect. In comparison, only 8.2% of females taking a placebo had the same. (A placebo is a treatment with no active drug.) Clinical trials also showed that 2.5% of the females taking Prolia reported a rash.
This drug has a long list of side effects and it's also important to note that long-term risks are unknown. The FDA Medication Guide lists the potential health problems, which include serious infections, thighbone fractures, and jaw bone problems. It is unclear if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Fosamax is usually the first-choice option for osteoporosis. But Prolia may be preferred in people with very high fracture risk. The most common side effects of Boniva and Fosamax are gastrointestinal symptoms like acid reflux, nausea, and diarrhea.
Researchers and physicians recommend that you do not stop taking Prolia without making a plan for further bone treatment.
Skin problems such as inflammation of your skin (dermatitis), rash, and eczema have been reported. Bone, joint, or muscle pain. Some people who take Prolia® develop severe bone, joint, or muscle pain.
I took Prolia September of last year and it will the one and only time that I take it ! I was sick within two months of taking this drug ! I have ran fever nonstop , terrible headaches , abdominal pain ,nausea and vomiting , weakness in legs , joint pain and rashes ! This drug is so bad !
It is possible for people to treat or prevent osteoporosis without medication in some cases. If a person's osteoporosis has not caused too much bone loss, lifestyle changes can help prevent osteoporosis bone breaks. These changes include exercise, nutrition, and stopping smoking and drinking.
Official answer. Prolia (denosumab) has not been associated with weight gain in clinical studies. Prolia can cause peripheral edema (fluid retention) or swelling, and this may lead to weight gain in some people.
Prolia® may lower the calcium levels in your blood. If you have low blood calcium, it may get worse during treatment. Your low blood calcium must be treated before you receive Prolia®. Take calcium and vitamin D as your doctor tells you to help prevent low blood calcium.
Prolia® may increase your risk of developing infections. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections while you are receiving this medicine.
Some people using Prolia have developed bone loss in the jaw, also called osteonecrosis of the jaw. Symptoms may include jaw pain, swelling, numbness, loose teeth, gum infection, or slow healing after injury or surgery involving the gums.
The most common side effects of Prolia are fatigue (45%), body weakness and lack of energy (45%), back pain (35%), low phosphate levels (32%), nausea (31%) and diarrhea (20%).
Key takeaways: Prolia (denosumab) is an osteoporosis injection that is a first-choice medication for treating osteoporosis. It is given every 6 months as an injection under the skin and should only be given by your healthcare provider.
Prolia (denosumab) works well to strengthen your bones. But it can cause some common side effects, such as back or muscle pain. Rarely, it can also affect your teeth or jaw, so be sure to brush and floss regularly while taking this medication. Currently, it's not available as a generic medication.
Pain, specifically musculoskeletal pain, is one of the most common side effects of Prolia. Musculoskeletal pain refers to pain in your bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Bone pain from Prolia may be most noticeable in your arms and legs.
Official answer. Yes, Prolia (denosumab) does increase bone density. Research has shown that Prolia significantly increased bone mineral density (BMD) by 8.8% at the lumbar spine, 6.4% at the total hip, and 5.2% at the femoral neck in trials that measured BMD after three years of treatment with Prolia.
If you receive a Prolia injection you can't have any serious dental work done until 6 months after your injection.
Eating too much animal protein also can leach calcium from your bones, Khader says, “so if you have osteopenia or osteoporosis, you should limit red meat to two times a week and keep portions small — 4 to 6 ounces.” A study published in Advances in Nutrition in January 2017 found that cutting down on red and processed ...
For both men and women at increased risk of fracture, the most widely prescribed osteoporosis medications are bisphosphonates. Examples include: Alendronate (Binosto, Fosamax) Ibandronate (Boniva)
Osteoporosis is not a terminal illness and does not directly influence life expectancy. However, having a fracture can affect it. For example, a 2021 study found that older adults living in a care facility who experienced a hip fracture had a 25% death rate after 3 months.