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Prolia

Pronunciation: PRO-lee-a
Generic name: denosumab
Dosage form: injection for subcutaneous use
Drug class: Miscellaneous bone resorption inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Mar 6, 2024.

What is Prolia?

Prolia (denosumab) is an injection that is administered subcutaneously (under the skin) once every 6 months by a healthcare provider to:

Bone is always breaking down and reforming. Everyone has osteoclasts that dissolve old and damaged bone and osteoblasts that form new bones and add growth to existing bone tissue. Prolia works by stopping the formation of osteoclasts before they can reach and damage the bone. It binds to RANKL, which is a protein on the membrane of osteoclasts that is essential for their formation, function, and survival. This inhibits osteoclast formation, which decreases bone resorption and increases bone mass and strength in both cortical (hard bone) and trabecular (spongy bone) bone. Prolia is a monoclonal antibody that targets and inhibits RANK ligand (RANKL).

Prolia was FDA-approved on June 1, 2010.

Warnings

Prolia carries a boxed warning for life-threatening severe hypocalcemia (very low calcium levels); the risk is higher in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those on dialysis. The risk increases even more in those with CKD who also have a condition known as mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD). Your healthcare provider will evaluate you for hypocalcemia and CKD-MBD before starting treatment and monitor you throughout. Pre-existing low calcium levels should be corrected before starting treatment.

If you receive Prolia, you should not receive Xgeva, Wyost, or Jubbonti. Prolia contains the same medicine (denosumab).

Serious and life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions have occurred with Prolia, including anaphylaxis. Seek emergency help or tell your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath, throat tightness, swelling of the airways and throat, itching, low blood pressure, or hives.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw has been reported with Prolia. A routine oral exam should be performed before Prolia treatment and preventive dentistry undertaken if necessary, especially for those with risk factors such as prior tooth extraction, dental implants, oral surgery, cancer,  or poor oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene practices should be maintained during treatment with Prolia.

Atypical low energy or low trauma femoral fractures have been reported with Prolia. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop thigh or groin pain. Multiple vertebral fractures have been reported following Prolia discontinuation. Your healthcare provider should consider transitioning you to another antiresorptive agent.

Serious infections including skin infections may occur, including those leading to hospitalization. Seek emergency help or tell your healthcare provider immediately if you develop any signs or symptoms of an infection, including cellulitis (symptoms include a red, swollen, and painful area of skin that is warm and tender to the touch. Some people may also develop fever and chills).

Other severe side effects including severe skin rashes and eczema, bone over-suppression, or severe bone, joint, or muscle pain may occur. Tell your healthcare provider immediately.

Before taking

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

Pregnancy

For females who can become pregnant, your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with Prolia. You should use an effective method of birth control (contraception) during treatment with Prolia and for at least 5 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if you inadvertently become pregnant.

Breastfeeding

It is not known if Prolia passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take Prolia or breastfeed. You should not do both.

How is Prolia administered?

Prolia is an injection that will be given to you by a healthcare professional. Prolia is injected under your skin (subcutaneously).

Talk with your doctor before starting Prolia treatment. After your treatment with Prolia is stopped, or if you skip or delay taking a dose, your risk of breaking bones, including bones in your spine, is increased. Your risk of having more than 1 broken bone in your spine is increased if you have already had a broken bone in your spine. Do not stop, skip, or delay taking Prolia without first talking with your doctor. If your Prolia treatment is stopped, talk to your doctor about other medicines that you can take.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose or miss an appointment for your Prolia injection. You should receive your missed injection as soon as possible.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What are the side effects of Prolia?

Serious allergic reactions have happened in people who take Prolia. Call your doctor or go to your nearest emergency room right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction such as low blood pressure (hypotension), trouble breathing, throat tightness, swelling of your face, lips, or tongue, rash, itching, or hives.

Prolia can cause serious side effects including:

Common Prolia side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What should I avoid while receiving Prolia?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What other drugs will affect Prolia?

Other drugs may interact with denosumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

See the prescribing information for a full list of interactions.

Storage

Keep Prolia in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) in the original carton. Do not freeze.

Prolia may be kept out of the refrigerator for up to 14 days at room temperature [up to 77°F (25°C)] in the original carton to protect from light. Do not keep Prolia at temperatures above 77°F (25°C). Warm temperatures will affect how Prolia works.

Do not shake.

Keep Prolia and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Ingredients

Active: denosumab

Inactive: sorbitol, acetate, polysorbate 20, Water for Injection (USP), and sodium hydroxide

Manufacturer

Amgen.

Popular FAQ

Prolia (denosumab) and Reclast (zoledronic acid) are injections that can be used to treat or prevent osteoporosis. But they each work differently because Prolia is a monoclonal antibody (it may also be called a miscellaneous bone resorption agent) and Reclast is a bisphosphonate which means they have different side effects, other uses, tolerability, and effectiveness profiles. Both are prescription medicines. Continue reading

Yes, Prolia does appear to weaken your immune system. Research has shown people who take Prolia are at an increased risk of serious infections leading to hospitalizations, including endocarditis and serious infections of the skin, abdominal, urinary tract, and ear. People administered concomitant immunosuppressant agents (such as prednisone or cyclosporine) or with impaired immune systems may be at an even higher risk. Continue reading

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. Continue reading

Prolia is a prescription medicine injected under the skin (called a subcutaneous injection) and is given once every 6 months. You do not give Prolia to yourself. You will receive your Prolia injection from your healthcare provider at a their office or clinic. Continue reading

Prolia (denosumab) does increase bone density. Prolia works by targeting a molecule called RANKL that osteoclasts need to work. By stopping RANKL from binding to its receptor Prolia reduces bone breakdown, bone loss, bone pain, and other bone complications. BMD was increased 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. Continue reading

While there are no known drug interactions between Prolia (generic name: denosumab) and alcohol, but you should check with your doctor first before you drink. Some research has shown that alcohol consumption may increase your risk of osteoporosis, a bone fracture or impaired healing after a fracture. Continue reading

Xgeva and Prolia are both brand names for the generic drug denosumab. Both are injectable preparations, both are made by Amgen, and both have similar side effects; but they differ in their indications, the way they are given, and their dosage. Continue reading

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References

  1. Product Label

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.