Postmenopausal
Osteoporosis Insights

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Your bones form the framework for your body. They allow you to sit, to stand, and to walk. They protect the vital organs inside your body, like your heart and lungs. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones over time, making them thinner, more brittle, and more likely to break. Every woman past menopause should make strengthening her bones a priority.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a common form of osteoporosis. In fact:

  • Up to 20% of bone loss happens in the 5 to 7 years just after menopause.
  • 1 in 2 women over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her lifetime.

Once you've had a fracture, your chances of another are much higher. A fracture can make it hard to get around and do things on your own. That's why it's so important to take steps now to manage your postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Learn as much as you can about postmenopausal osteoporosis: know about your fracture risk, read about ways to help manage and treat postmenopausal osteoporosis, and talk to your doctor about your treatment plan. Do everything you can to help strengthen your bones. And encourage your friends and sisters to do the same.

What is postmenopausal osteoporosis? »
Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a disease that weakens your bones and puts you at risk for breaking a bone. Learn more.
A silent but serious disease »
Postmenopausal osteoporosis can progress painlessly until—suddenly—a bone breaks. Find out what you can do to help reduce your risk of a break. Learn more.
Know your fracture risk »
Information you need to help understand your risks. 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.