I've had problems with Fosamax and can't take Boniva due to kidney failure. But the Prolia is a 6 month injection or infusion, so I'm concerned about side effects.
Thanks for any input.
Anyone tried Prolia for osteoporosis? If so, did you have any side effects from it?
Question posted by sara12345 on 18 July 2012
Last updated on 25 March 2025
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
100 Answers Page 2
awessel27
25 July 2024
The worst thing I ever did in my 69 year of life. Got an injection 4 years ago and am still suffering. Rash first, then pain, horrible pain in joints, teeth loose and then 2 years ago out of the blue RA. I wouldn't but my experience was horrific and still is.
Pickle4382
25 July 2024
I had two injections and they caused me to spontaneously fracture 12 vertebra and my sacrum. The med stays in your body for about 10 years, according to my doctor. I started fracturing about 6 years after the injections and have fractured every year, sometimes three times in one year since. I have contacted lawyers about this. The black box warning was just placed on the packaging in 2019! Be careful if you decide to use it. Look at different websites for the people that have been harmed from this drug. There are MANY. and so many more are worse than me! Another huge side effect is loosing teeth.
hornswoggle
13 Aug 2024
There is still no black box warning about Rebound. Only hypocalcemia. Disgraceful. I'm so sorry for your suffering.
wards33
25 July 2024
Has anyone had their neuropathy worsen or old injury pain come back when using Prolia?
I have had one injection of Prolia in January 2024 for osteoporosis caused from chemo treatments in 2004. I am 67. Since the injection, my neuropathy has worsened with daily leg pain, tingling and debilitating muscle cramps. Also, I have back pain from an old injury that I haven't had in 20 years. I am not sure if it's the Prolia, and am thinking of stopping the next injection which is due now. I will try natural remedies if I decide to stop. I want my life back!
Pickle4382
25 July 2024
The injections (2) made me spontaneously fracture 12 vertebra in my back along with my sacrum. Just say NO!! There are many people who have been harmed by this drug. You can search the internet for groups.
hornswoggle
26 July 2024
You are aware that you cannot just stop Prolia, yes? It causes a Rebound Effect unique to Prolia whereby your bone loss will increase enormously and the risk of multiple sponaneous vertebral fractures is high. It must be followed up by a bisphosphonate to counteract the Rebound Effect. This is clearly stated in the Amgen literature.
UVAMom
9 June 2024
I have been experiencing swelling in my feet and legs for the past two years but thought I was just getting older. In these last 3 months, I have been horribly swollen, more than before and in a lot of pain. I was put on diuretics which worked at first and then stop working. I did loose 10 pounds of water weight but some of it is coming back on. I have a total of about 20 lbs of water weight to loose. I have had many tests to determine that I don't have heart, thyroid, kidney or liver disease. We eliminated the statin I am on as a cause. I also was tested for venus insufficiency. The only thing that they can come up with is the Prolia. I been on Prolia longer than recommended so I am going to see an MD that specializes in Osteopenia to switch me to another medication. Apparently, you cannot get off of these meds once started. In January/February I wasn't swollen- but I thought it was because the weather was so cold.
Now the doctors believe that I am swollen because of the Prolia. My sister just had a prolia shot about 6 weeks ago for the 2nd time and she is now getting swollen hands and feel. I am literally counting the days until the 6 months time period for the Prolia to end. Anyone else swollen from the Prolia?
hornswoggle
2 Feb 2024
New Black Box Warning for Prolia is for severe hypocalcemia.
I was prescribed Actonel in 2019 after a spontaneous fracture of the pubic ramus. I had a dexa scan which put me in the range for osteopenia but due to the spontaneous fracture I was lumped into the osteoporosis category. I was first prescribed Actonel ec by my GP but had an unpleasant reaction to that and was sent to a rheumatologist who prescribed Prolia.
Now why, when it was known I didn't tolerate an oral bisphosphonate would you prescribe Prolia which you cannot stop without relaying onto a bisphosphonate to counter the potentially catastrophic rebound effect of Prolia upon cessation.
I didn't accept Prolia immediately, in fact I waited for 12 months without any more fractures but based on dexa results it was advised that I do take up the Prolia. I was 63 years old. I was led to believe that I was made of glass and would shatter into a million pieces without it. I was completely unaware of the nature of denosumab and the fact that it simply causes old, dead bone cells to be retained therefore creating an illusion of more density. It is old, dead bone and the quality of that bone is not good. I do not recall having any meaningful conversation around side effects except the mention of osteonecrosis of the jaw and the need for thorough dental check ups and good oral hygeine.
After my first dose of Prolia in August 2020 I became very depressed and my knee, in which I did have osteoarthritis became extremely painful quite suddenly, such that I had a total knee replacement in April 2021.
There have been having ongoing issues with musculoskeletal pain, I developed cataracts, high cholesterol and other disagreeable side effects including my hair falling out which may not be a medical emergency but it sure hits your self esteem. As I was never given any indication that these were side effects of Prolia I simply believed I was falling apart. To age 10 years in a period of 3.5 years is not normal, it is a result of Prolia (denosumab). After my 7th injection the musculoskeletal pain ramped up to an alarming level and I decided to discontinue Prolia.
I have over the past 4 months been educating myself about Prolia through peer reviewed papers, studies and articles. I am very unhappy about what I have learned.
I consulted an endocrinologist to take me through the long, expensive and unpleasant transition from Prolia to a bisphosphonate and will have my first infusion of zoledronic acid on May 5th. I am not looking forward to that but hope that my bone turnover will be controlled and will have bone turnover markers tested every 3 months to ensure I don't go into rebound. When it is all over in 12 or 24 months I hope to get my life back. We'll see.
DO NOT take this drug without being fully informed about the unique and dangerous REBOUND EFFECT that is unique to this drug. Doctors and even OP specialists are often inexcusably unaware of this even though the manufacturer warns about it, the research and studies report and warn about it, rebound requires expert treatment.
Sideffectsmeds
1 Feb 2024
Yes I had five injections of Prolia and on the fourth injection I went to stand up to go to the toilet early in the morning and I couldn’t stand up because of excruciating pain all around my waist I went to hospital not knowing what it was the hospital couldn’t find anything unusual even after X-rays - I didn’t think about Prolia until I had the next and final injection “exactly the same thing happened” it was after this my daughter stepped in and said don’t take that drug anymore look at the side effects which I did and stopped the drug - I also joined a Prolia (Denosumab) support group and now I’m in aged care because I can no longer walk unaided without a walker Prolia has ruined my life - before Prolia I could walk - being in aged care I see so many with walkers and the majority say they get a six monthly injection for their bones and not really knowing what it is - one lady I spoke too said she gets a calcium injection every six months ...
? I know better but I say nothing because they are too old to understand and I don’t want to worry them - I stopped taking Prolia nearly five years ago I still can’t walk without the walker and I live with the pain everyday - in list of side effects it says don’t stop taking Prolia otherwise you will fracture ? I haven’t luckily- but I’m too afraid to have an X-ray because I can’t lie straight because of pain - I have no thyroid and was diagnosed after first X-ray with osteopenia not osteoporosis? which is very different so I’m told by my support group - and I think that maybe that’s two reasons why doctor shouldn’t have given me the injection - he also never discussed any side effects just handed me a script I took it back and then he injected me with the drug- I also get rashes every now and again - I’ve never had a rash in my whole life -
Pickle4382
1 Feb 2024
I took two injections per my doctors advice and now have had 12 spine fractures and my sacrum broke in 4 places. This has been over the last 8 years! Amgen did not tell consumers about these horrific side effects until they were sued and made to place a black box warning on the label. That was 2019. Another terrible side effect is loosing teeth. You can google side effects and find conversations about the side effects. I am looking into a suit against Amgen. Just say no! There are much better, natural treatments for building bone back without any ill side effects.
sherryelaine6
1 Feb 2024
I have had two shots of Prolia. No side effects from first one. However 2.5 months after the second shot, I started having muscle spasms in back at hip level on the right side. These were mild at first, but have gotten progressively worse to where it is excruciating to stand up and cross the room. Needless to say, I am virtually immobile. So, I’m taking a muscle relaxer, Tylenol and salon pas patches in order to function. This has been going on for 7 weeks now. BTW my sister had this same side affect in the same spot as mine.
Called my specialist and they said it could not possibly be due to Prolia. They consider any side affects occurring with 2 weeks of injection to be a real side affect and told me to contact my GP. He gave muscle relaxer and advised to see orthopedic doctor. Waiting to see what they have to say.
Also, my endocrinologist said that the drug is out of my system a few days after. That’s not what the Prolia website says.
cleo130
4 Dec 2023
I took Prolia for a number of years with some previous decent improvement and no side effects. After a 3 year "vacation" I am back on it, having had my second injection with no complaints. I have had Osteoporosis for many years and this drug seems to be treating me well.
awessel27
4 Dec 2023
Taking this drug was the worst mistake of my life. It aged me 20 years and caused a lot of pain. Stay away, especially the injections
arla7247
3 Dec 2023
I'm sorry ,but maybe you don't want to hear this. I had the second injection ,not because I believe in it. I had to argue with my doctor about side effects, She finally looked it up and was absolutely stunned.
Since starting Prolia , I have very bad foot pain ,both feet, started a couple months after started Prolia doctor said " no ,you "just" need orthotics" . $600 for orthotics, did nothing for pain . So now it is "circulation" , waiting for the creepy ultrasound for that. The pain specialist for the spine injections I get said ,maybe its Plantar Fasciitis , so that's another ultrasound I'm waiting for to check that.
But the biggest issue, they don't tell you before you start. You can't just stop taking it, you have to be changed to something else right away, if not it can cause spinal fractures .Other possible effects is mess with your jaw and for some reason ,there is the odd broken bone in the leg , I think its the thigh bone. I'm so angry we aren't told ,even my doctor didn't know.
Now I'm fighting to get another med, and I can't just stop this one, feel trapped. It seems it would be cheaper to try changing the med instead of all the tests. But thank God I live in Canada so I don't have to pay out of pocket.
hornswoggle
6 Jan 2024
Yes, it's shocking. I'm sorry for your troubles. I'm about to relay off Prolia onto Zolodronic Acid (Reclast) which makes me very unhappy. It's the "Prolia Trap" and doctors often don't warn people about it. I've had nothing but bad side effects from Prolia and after 7 injections I now have a compression fracture in my spine.
Marsha44
3 Dec 2023
I've had 2 injections and no side effects. It has been easy. One more year to go... and if all goes well I'll have a year of Reclast.
hornswoggle
13 Aug 2024
Good luck with that. Make sure your doctor uses bone turnover markers every 3 months to monitor the Rebound Effect. A dexa scan at 12 months is useless.
Pickle4382
3 Dec 2023
I took two injections 12 years ago. As of about 5-6 years ago I started fracturing my vertebrae without falling or having an accident. I now have broken 12 vertebrae, had 10 kyphoplasty's, and am now recovering from fractured sacrum (4 fractures)! I do not have osteoporosis anywhere but my spine. I just saw an endocrinologist and as he was going over all the bone meds he mentioned Prolia will cause severe fractures in the spine if stopped! I am now looking for a class action group! I have an all natural protocal that I've used to keep the rest of me out of osteoporosis.
hornswoggle
6 Jan 2024
This site is very helpful but, in the case of Prolia, they should have the fact that you cannot stop it without a relay medication front and center of the information.
You won't get anywhere with a class action though, once Amgen started listing the rebound phenomenon on the medication side effects list it shunted the responsibility onto the prescribing doctor. Ever tried to sue a doctor?
Pickle4382
2 Feb 2024
Yes hornswoggle I understand, but at the time I was given the injection there were no warnings on the label. My attorney thinks there may be a way to use that. Why in the world would I think that a bone drug would be the cause of my fractures?? It was supposed to help not hurt! When the discovery was made that the Prolia was the cause you could have knocked me over with a feather!
PoodleMum
17 Sep 2023
Hello from Australia. I have had one injection of Prolia, horrific side effects. Currently have a dental abscess, teeth aching and credit this to Prolia. I am working full time, 67 years young, healthy, active and plan to stay that way. I have researched natural therapy for bone density and health. Currently working through information on Osteoporosis reversal program. GPs are so keen to give medication, do not look at diet, healthy eating, exercise and how to reverse this.
I would like to do another scan next year and interested in seeing the improvements in my scan. Then will need to try and educate my GP re same. I work in health, prefer to find other natural therapies to maintain my health. Wish you all the best.
sara12345
20 Sep 2023
I applaud you for looking for diet, healthy eating, and exercise. Wearing estrogen patches improved my bone density by 9.4%!! After experiencing bad effects from Prolia and the very long painful possible side effects from other bone medications, I told my endocrinologist--never again. However, I really need estrogen for my 71 years body. It has done wonders for me in many ways, but I hadn't expected such a bone density improvement, even though my gynecologist recommended it for my bones. And that is the only reason that my bone density improved by 9.4% from 3 years ago. Due to a stroke, I was not able to exercise at all because it would either worsen or cause severe migraines. The endocrinologist said that with the way my bones are now, he wouldn't even recommend any bone medications. Hurrah!
rowelisa87
28 Sep 2023
Hello from Memphis! I too had one injection of Prolia, feeling the worst I ever felt. I knew my loose teeth was one of the negative side effects of Prolia. I had that shot about 10 years ago in my early 50s. I am 62 now and relieved I have said NO to any Doctor suggestions regarding medications for osteoporosis. Losing bone and muscle mass is part of aging not a disease. Do not take medications that debilitate your quality of life!
hornswoggle
6 Jan 2024
Hi, I'm in Australia too. You do know you cannot just "stop" Prolia? Even after only one shot. You must be relayed off it with a bisphosphonate and have your bone turnover markers monitored to avoid the rebound phenomenon whereby you experience multiple vertebral fractures.
hornswoggle
13 Aug 2024
Good luck with it. Make sure your doctor takes a baseline bone turnover marker before you stop Prolia and then every 3 months after you take your relay drug. The most powerful bisphosphonate available, Aclasta (I'm Australian), wasn't enough to stop Rebound for me. I've had to have another Aclasta infusion at 6 months to try to get it under control. Only bone turnover markers can indicate if it is working or not.
Norcouser
28 April 2023
I’ve had three injections of Prolia. I finally agreed to take it, as my doctor had been urging me to for years. My T- score in the spine was -2.5. About 3 weeks after the 2nd shot I began to have joint and bone pain so I told my dr I didn’t want to get a 3rd shot. He talked me out of stopping the injections because he told me there would be a rapid worsening of my bone density and the literature seems to say that as well. But after the 3rd shot, I couldn’t take the bone and joint pain and the pain in my teeth and gums so I decided not to get a 4th injection. He started me on Fosamax which caused worse pain than the Prolia. I only took 2 doses and had to stop that as well due to joint, bone, and muscle pain so bad I could hardly walk and couldn’t sleep. My hands swelled up as well. I’m now taking calcium, vit d, magnesium and K2 and have an appointment with a functional MD to see what else I can do. I’m still having pain but it has lessened.
I am afraid of bone loss now that may be greater than I would’ve had if I had never taken the Prolia. Wish I hadn’t ever agreed to take it!!!
sara12345
29 April 2023
The doctor who told you to stay on Prolia was in favor of your terrible pain? Is that preferable to bone loss? And after just 2 injections of Prolia, I have to wonder that would cause worse bone loss. Or even after just 3 injections. What a horrible drug that has that as a consequence!! Thanks for telling people about it. I had to stop Prolia after just 1 injection, because of the pain and because my parathyroid levels were through the roof. There are other ways to increase your bone. Exercise can. Estrogen patches increased my bone mass by 9.4% after the previous bone scan. A 6 percent increase in bone density can translate into a doubling of bone. My endocrinologist told me that given the increased bone density, he wouldn't even recommend bone medications for me! And he had been very pro medication at previous appointments. There is very little risk with estrogen patches. You need to discuss it with your doctor.
Having adequate calcium and Vitamin D, but you can have too much. Your doctor should blood test you to determine the right amount, if any, that you should take. And Fosamax can cause pain indefinitely. I haven't trusted the bone medications out there, but they have come out with a new one that sounds more promising--Evenity. I hesitate to tell you about it after what you've been through. As for me, I'm sticking with the estrogen patches. I sincerely hope that your pain will continue to subside. Mine lasted almost 10 years from just one injection of Prolia.
Norcouser
29 April 2023
Thanks for your answer. I will look into estrogen patches but I’m also interested in finding out more about my parathyroid in relation to my bone density issues. My parathyroid level also went up to 125 after my 2nd Prolia injection and I had a critical phosphorus level of 1.1 as well and had to be given IV phosphorus in the hospital. But both of those levels were in the normal range after the 3rd shot so the dr did not think the Prolia was the cause. None of this makes sense I know. All I know is I am miserable and would not recommend any of these bone building medications to anyone.
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boniva, fosamax, osteoporosis, renal failure, side effect, injection, prolia
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