Prolia® (denosumab) | FAQs During COVID-19

Prolia® during COVID-19: FAQs with Dr. Michele McDermott

Get common questions about Prolia® treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic answered by Prolia’s Medical Director, Dr. Michele McDermott. Dr. McDermott has been an endocrinologist for over 30 years, specializing in menopause and osteoporosis before joining Amgen.

What if my doctor’s office is closed and I still want to get my next injection?

Here's a question that we've received. What if my doctor's office is closed and I need to get my next Prolia® dose?

If you think you may be unable to receive your next dose of Prolia®, it’s important to start by talking to your doctor and learn if they are offering different ways of receiving Prolia®, such as making special arrangements for your visit or referring you to an alternative site of care. It’s particularly important to have this discussion with your doctor before you stop, skip or delay a dose. Your risk for breaking bones, including bones in your spine, is increased after stopping Prolia®. If your Prolia® treatment is stopped, talk to your doctor about other medication you might be able to take for osteoporosis. You may want to discuss with your doctor whether you would be able to get your next Prolia® dose at an alternate site of care. If so, you can visit ProliaFinder.com and enter your ZIP code to find alternative sites of care. Before contacting an alternative site of care, it’s important to first speak with your doctor, who can help determine if this is right for you and help provide any needed referral.

I hope this helped answer your question. For answers to other questions that may be on your mind click on another video.

What should I do if I’ve missed or may miss my scheduled Prolia® injection?

So here’s a question: What should I do if I’ve missed or may miss my scheduled Prolia® injection?

If you think you have missed or may miss your scheduled dose of Prolia®, you should call your doctor to discuss what to do. If you miss a dose of Prolia®, you should receive your injection as soon as possible. You only experience the benefits of Prolia® while on treatment. After your treatment with Prolia® is stopped, or if you skip or delay having a dose, your risk for breaking bones, including bones in your spine, is increased. Do not stop, skip or delay taking Prolia® without first talking to your doctor. If your Prolia® treatment is stopped, talk to your doctor about other medication that you can take for your osteoporosis.

Watch the next video below for the answer to another common question asked by a patient like you.

What can I do now while at home to help my osteoporosis and decrease my risk for fracture?

Well, there are lifestyle choices you can make that will help. Eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help build and maintain healthy bones.

And don’t forget exercise. Getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day as well as strength-and weight-bearing activities can help build and maintain bone mass. There are exercises you can do at home, like stretching and strengthening, just using your own body weight and a chair. Join our Bone Matters® program at Prolia.com to get simple exercises like these. As always, talk to your doctor before starting any new diet or exercise routine.

We’re all spending a lot more time at home now. And while you’re at home, it’s a great time to take precautions and ensure you’ve safeguarded your surroundings. To help prevent a fall, use handrails on stairs and wear supportive shoes with rubber soles and low heels. And get rid of small throw rugs that can cause you to trip.

Thanks for watching. Get helpful lifestyle tips when you join our Bone Matters® program at Prolia.com.

Do you anticipate any shortage of Prolia®?

Some people are asking if we anticipate any shortage of Prolia®?

With the global nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, some patients might be wondering about interruptions to the supply of Prolia®. Amgen continues to provide an uninterrupted supply of medicines, including Prolia®, to patients around the world. Based on our inventory levels, we do not anticipate a shortage due to COVID-19 at this time.

We’re here for you during this time to connect about the things you’re thinking about. I hope you are staying well.

GUIDE for keeping your bones healthy WhILE STAYING AT HOME

Staying home during COVID-19 doesn’t have to mean staying still. We’ve put together calcium-rich recipes, at-home exercise tips, and more that you can put to work for you today. Click below to take a look.

Bone Matters®
At-Home Lifestyle Guide

Bone Matters® is Here for You

Bone Matters® is a support program designed to help you stay informed and empowered while managing your osteoporosis. We provide exercise tips, bone-healthy recipes, appointment reminders, and additional resources to keep you in the know.

Join Bone Matters® today

Dr. Michele McDermott, 30-year endocrinologist and part of the Prolia® team.

WE STAND READY TO HELP YOU

We’re always committed to your bone health. And at this unusual time, more than ever, we want to connect with you directly about it and answer any questions you may have. We’re committed to serve our patients and our communities. That’s why we are providing you with this helpful information.

To see answers to some of the other questions that may be on your mind, please visit the Amgen COVID-19 information site listed below. On this site you will find additional information on how to access our support services, as well as links to COVID-19 guidance from the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Thanks for joining me today to answer some important questions related to Prolia® treatment during COVID-19.

Learn More

Important Safety Information

Do not take Prolia® if you: have low blood calcium; or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, as Prolia® may harm your unborn baby; or are allergic to denosumab or any ingredients in Prolia®.

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:

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, including low blood pressure (hypotension); trouble breathing; throat tightness; swelling of your face, lips, or tongue; rash; itching; or hives.

Low blood calcium (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®.

Take calcium and vitamin D as your doctor tells you to help prevent low blood calcium.

Severe jaw bone problems (osteonecrosis) 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®.

Unusual thigh bone fractures. Some people have developed unusual fractures in their thigh bone. Symptoms of a fracture include new or unusual pain in your hip, groin, or thigh.

Increased risk of broken bones, including broken bones in the spine, after stopping, skipping or delaying Prolia®. 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 for breaking bones, including bones in your spine, is increased. Your risk for 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 medicine that you can take.

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 the ability of your body to fight infections. 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 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.

Before taking Prolia®, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

Take the medicine XGEVA® (denosumab)
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
Are taking medicine that can lower your blood calcium levels
Plan to have dental surgery or teeth removed
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
Females who are able to 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 of Prolia®.
- Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking Prolia®.
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. The most common side effects of Prolia® in women being treated for osteoporosis after menopause are back pain, pain in your arms and legs, high cholesterol, muscle pain, and bladder infection.

The most common side effects of Prolia® in men with osteoporosis are back pain, joint pain, and common cold (runny nose or sore throat).

The most common side effects of Prolia® in patients with corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis are back pain, high blood pressure, lung infection (bronchitis), and headache.

The most common side effects of Prolia® in patients receiving certain treatments for prostate or breast cancer are joint pain, back pain, pain in your arms and legs, and muscle pain. Additionally, in Prolia®-treated men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer receiving ADT, a greater incidence of cataracts was observed.

These are not all the possible side effects of Prolia®. 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.

Indications

Prolia^® is a prescription medicine used to treat osteoporosis in women after menopause who are at high risk for fracture or cannot use another osteoporosis medicine or other osteoporosis medicines did not work well.

Prolia^® is a prescription medicine used to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis who are at high risk for fracture.

Prolia^® is a prescription medicine used to treat osteoporosis in men and women who will be taking corticosteroid medicines (such as prednisone) for at least six months and are at high risk for fracture.

Prolia^® is a prescription medicine used to treat bone loss in men who are at high risk for fracture receiving certain treatments for prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body.

Prolia^® is a prescription medicine used to treat bone loss in women who are at high risk for fracture receiving certain treatments for breast cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body.

Please see Prolia^® full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.