Denosumab: A Monoclonal Antibody

What is denosumab?

Denosumab (brand name Prolia) specifically is a drug recommended to be used in order to treat osteoporosis. Osteoporosis basically is a common condition which is responsible for causing bones to become quite fragile as well as brittle so that they fracture quite easily. Fractures are usually painful and can restrict a person’s efficiency in order to perform their normal daily tasks. The denosumab injection helps in order to reduce the risk of a broken bone or fracture.

How does it work?

Bones are continuously changing, with old bone breaking down and new bone being developed in order to take its place. This happens in an absolutely balanced way. If the process becomes unbalanced, bone can break down quickly than it is replaced. This may be responsible for osteoporosis.

The denosumab 60 mg injection is a medicine that helps in slowing, or stoppit, the bone breaking down but enabling it to be formed. As an outcome, the strength of bone strength increases and the probability of fracture is decreased.

How is the denosumab injection given?

Denosumab should be injected into the top of the thigh, the abdomen or the back of the arm. It is available in a single-use prefilled syringe in order to make the injection easier.

You/your carer must have appropriate training prior to using this injection. In case you are not sure, ask your healthcare team, before attempting the denosumab injection.

What is the denosumab dosage and when should it be given?

The denosumab dose is around 60 milligrams. It should be administered once every 6 months.

Avoid using more or less dose of denosumab, or it should be used more often than prescribed by a healthcare provider.

side effects of Prolia:

The most common possible denosumab side effects include:

• Fever

• Chills

• Dermatitis

• Eczema

Less common or the rare possible adverse reactions may include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Sweating

• Allergic reaction

• Infection of skin

• Difficulty breathing

• Joint or heart valve

• Muscle and joint pain

• Stomach and back pain

• Low blood calcium levels

• Skin ulcers or pancreatitis

Can other medicines be taken with denosumab?

It is absolutely safe to consume most other drugs when you are receiving denosumab 60 mg. Although, it should be avoided with other anti-resorptive osteoporosis drugs.

Your healthcare practitioners may recommend that you take calcium as well as vitamin D as an additional treatment for osteoporosis. Do not interrupt taking these drugs unless instructed to by your healthcare professional.

How long is the treatment continued?

Your healthcare practitioner will review your progress every year. Once you have had one fracture your probability of having another one is high, so it is necessary to keep receiving the drug as long as it is effective and as long as no serious adverse reactions occur.

How to store and dispose of denosumab?

Store denosumab 60 mg in the refrigerator but avoid freezing it. The medicine should be kept in the pre-filled syringe out of reach of children.

It should be protected from light (avoid leaving syringes in the direct bright light).

What are some important things needed to remember?

• While on denosumab 60 mg you should see your GP at the regular basis in order to make sure the treatment is properly working and to minimise any possible adverse reaction.

• In case you're worried about any adverse reactions you should contact your specialist right away.

• The denosumab uses should be avoided with some other osteoporosis drugs such as bisphosphonates like alendronate or risedronate or other treatments such as raloxifene or teriparatide. These should be stopped prior to initiating treatment with denosumab.

• Do not stop using denosumab chemotherapy until advised by your healthcare practitioner.

How much does denosumab cost?

The denosumab price may vary from innovator to generic drugs. Price of a single vial may range from 25908 to 18900 INR.

NOTE: The information provided in this article is only for informational purposes and is not served as a substitute for the medical treatment, consultation, diagnosis, of a qualified healthcare practitioner.