Fact or Fiction?

Email | Print | Enlarge Text -+ |

Get the facts about postmenopausal osteoporosis, treatment with Prolia® for women with postmenopausal osteoporosis at high risk for fracture and helping to strengthen your bones. How many of these did you get right?

1.
Postmenopausal osteoporosis often has no symptoms.
FACT A fracture is often the first sign of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Learn more.
2.
1 in 2 women over age 50 will have a fracture due to osteoporosis in her lifetime.
FACT 1 in 2 women over age 50 will have a future fracture due to osteoporosis. Learn more.
3.
Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a progressive disease—you need to monitor it over time.
FACT T-scores from regular DXA scans can help your doctor monitor your bone density over time. Learn more.
4.
Once you have had an osteoporosis-related fracture, your chances of having another go down.
FICTION Once you have had an osteoporosis-related fracture, your chances of having another are much higher. Learn more.
5.
Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most common form of osteoporosis.
FACT Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most common form of osteoporosis. Over 9 million women in the U.S. over 50 are estimated to have osteoporosis. Learn more.
6.
Prolia® helps lower the risk for spine and hip fractures.
FACT Prolia® has been proven to reduce fractures of the spine, hip, and other bones. Learn more.
7.
Prolia® does not take the place of calcium or vitamin D.
FACT You should take calcium and vitamin D as your doctor tells you while you receive Prolia® treatment. Learn more.
8.
Prolia® is the first and only postmenopausal osteoporosis treatment given as a shot 2 times a year.
FACT Prolia® is the first and only prescription therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis treatment given as a shot 2 times a year in your doctor's office. Learn more.
9.
Vitamin D helps reduce your risk of fracture.
FACT Vitamin D is one of the keys to strong bones—helping them absorb calcium. Learn more.
10.
Once calcium becomes part of your bones, it stays there.
FICTION If you don't get enough calcium from your diet, your body will release it from your bones. Learn more.
11.
Some forms of exercise can help build bone density.
FACT Weight-bearing exercise—like walking—can help build bone density. Learn more.
12.
Women taking a postmenopausal osteoporosis medication should get a bone density scan every 2 years.
FACT According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, they should get a scan every 2 years. (In some cases, a doctor may recommend more frequent testing.) Learn more.
Indication  Prolia® is a prescription medicine used to treat osteoporosis in women after menopause who:
  • are at high risk for fracture, meaning women who have had a fracture related to osteoporosis, or who have multiple risk factors for fracture
  • cannot use another osteoporosis medicine or other osteoporosis medicines did not work well
Important Safety Information

What is the most important information I should know about Prolia®?

If you receive Prolia®, you should not receive XGEVA®. Prolia® contains the same medicine as XGEVA® (denosumab).

Prolia® can cause serious side effects:

Low calcium levels in your blood (hypocalcemia). 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®.

Your doctor may prescribe calcium and vitamin D to help prevent low calcium levels in your blood. Take calcium and vitamin D as your doctor tells you to.

Serious infections. Serious infections in your skin, lower stomach area (abdomen), bladder, or ear may happen. Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis) due to an infection may also happen more often in people who take Prolia®. You may need to go to the hospital for treatment.

Prolia® is a medicine that may affect your immune system. People who have weakened immune systems or take medicines that affect the immune system may have an increased risk for developing serious infections.

Skin problems. Skin problems such as inflammation of your skin (dermatitis), rash, and eczema have been reported.

Severe jaw bone problems (osteonecrosis). Severe jaw bone problems may occur. Your doctor should examine your mouth before you start Prolia® and may tell you to see your dentist. It is important for you to practice good mouth care during treatment with Prolia®.

Before taking Prolia®, tell your doctor if you:

  • Are taking a medicine called XGEVA® (denosumab). XGEVA® contains the same medicine as Prolia®.
  • Have low blood calcium
  • Cannot take daily calcium and vitamin D
  • Had parathyroid or thyroid surgery (glands located in your neck)
  • Have been told you have trouble absorbing minerals in your stomach or intestines (malabsorption syndrome)
  • Have kidney problems or are on kidney dialysis
  • Plan to have dental surgery or teeth removed
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
  • Are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed

What are the possible side effects of Prolia®?

It is not known if the use of Prolia® over a long period of time may cause slow healing of broken bones or unusual fractures. The most common side effects of Prolia® are back pain, pain in your arms and legs, high cholesterol, muscle pain, and bladder infection.

These are not all the possible side effects of Prolia®. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.