06/02/10 The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drug denosumab (Prolia), which is the first biologically derived agent to treat bone loss caused by osteoporosis.
Regulators say the drug, which is injected under the skin every six months in a doctor’s office, is appropriate for postmenopausal women who are at high risk for fractures – a group that includes those who have broken a bone in the past because of osteoporosis, those who have multiple risk factors and those who can’t tolerate other kinds of osteoporosis medications.
Like some other medications for osteoporosis, denosumab (Prolia) works by preventing the breakdown of bone by cells called osteoclasts.
But unlike bisphosphonates, including alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva), risedronate (Actonel) and zolendronic acid (Reclast), which hasten cell death after they are ingested, denosumab (Prolia) is a monoclonal antibody that straitjackets a protein called RANKL that is important for the the production, function and survival of osteoclasts.
It is unclear whether denosumab (Prolia) works better than older medications for bone loss, however, because few head-to-head comparisons have been done.
A 2009 study of 7,868 women with osteoporosis who were followed for three years, denosumab (Prolia) reduced the risk of fractures at the spine and hip by 68 and 40 percent, respectively, compared to a placebo injection. The drug also reduced the risk of other kinds of fractures by 20 percent compared to a placebo. The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Experts say those results seem to be in line with the effects of zolendronic acid (Reclast) or even teriparatide (Forteo) a hormone taken by daily injection that spurs the formation of new bone.
And in two trials, both recently published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, that pitted denosumab (Prolia) against alendronate (Fosamax) in postmenopausal women for a year, found that denosumab (Prolia) reduced markers of bone turnover and slowed bone loss better than alendronate (Fosamax), suggesting that it may work better than bisphosphonate pills.
EVERYONE WAS INTERESTED IN TELLING THERE PERSONAL STORY....very interesting.
Second question: Is there a chance that bone mineral leaching occurs AFTER stopping bone builders? Last bone scan showed osteoporosis, so deterioration after going OFF fosamax. :-(
Boniva/Fosimax, and is the best/most effective protocol for improving bone density and stopping bone loss. Has anyone tried Prolia
and what have your results been and of course,
have you had any side effects. Please email
me your thoughts at accesssteph@yaoo.com.
Thanks.
I don't understand why you take Fozamax, then when that doesn't work - other meds that are biphosphonates (actonol, boniva, reclast). They are all in the same family of meds. I took actonol and then fozamax for approximately 5 years. Didn't work! When I found out about jaw necrosis I stopped taking it. I then was on evista, but had to switch because of breast cancer and accompanying drug therapy. My doc put me on FORTEO. Note that breast cancer drugs can cause osteoporosis, which I have already. So the Forteo increased and cancer drug decreased bone. Forteo can only be taken for 2 years. I finished with an increase in bone mass, and luckily had no symptoms except for periodic foot cramps. However, I suffered from foot/leg cramps most of my life, so you deal. I still have osteoporosis, but its better than when I started! I just saw my doc (and he knows I never want to go back to biphosphonates. I was hoping that strontium ranelate (approved and prescribed in Europe) would be approved in US by now, but sadly, it isn't. However, I am looking into a newly-approved med - Prolia (Denosumab). Doc says that I can take no drug (but take calcium/vit d) for about 6-months and then decide what I want to do. This drug looks promising. Good luck to us all!
The drug wont be available in pakistan and it does not have role for osteoarthritis
densit was bad /changed it to Fossamax. Next bone density-worse. Remember, I am on permanent steroids due to adrenal insufficiency, lupus & Crohn's (since 1973). Next to try was daily injections of Actonel for 2 yrs (max of time allowed) . Next bone density-worse yet. On to Boniva IV every 3 months. Just had another bone density-no improvement. Hips-bad; spine-much worse; and neck-way above -3.5. See the rheumotologist next month to see about trying one of the newer drugs. Had a Vit D lab-came back at 13 (should be 50-80).Went on50,000UI per week of Vit D; 3 months later, it was 16. Upped the Vit D to 100,000UI 2x per week-down to 14 (that incl a month in CA). Last lab, it was 69. Now, I am on 1,000UI per day. I had several fractures due to serious car wreck; broke rt ankle (2 breaks), pelvis, rt hand, rt knee-several breaks. Broke rt foot twice. Have passed out 3 times, fallen, unconscious, but no breaks-hit concrete twice!! X-rays sow I have the bones of an 80 yr old woman. BTW, I just turned 58!
because if your system is acid the calcium will go into the soft tissues instead of the bones. So eat your veggies, exercise and stay off the meds! Also, there's a urine test that can measure rate of bone loss. Bone density is a Medical Mythtake.
I worked on a Fitvibe machine, from Germany, for 2 years, 20 minutes 3 times per week,and my scan showed a 12% increase in Bone Density in the Lumbar area in 18 months. My Doctor said she had never seen such incredible results(1 or 2% increase if you're lucky) without any other intervention. It is safe , fun, highly effective and the best natural program around.My Doctor bought a machine for her office and is now using it with patients.
For severe Osteoporisis( more than -4% loss, it is contraindicated).
I'm hoping there are options other than surgery. I am also dealing with fibromyalgia and ostearthristis. Was taking fosomax for three years, till it became unbearable for my stomach. Wanted to just take supplements and exercise, but my doc advised against and told me that I would get worse. I feel so restricted on what I can do and at 56 it just doesn't make sense. I want to garden and enjoy playing with my grandchildren.
My mother spent the last dozen of her 87 years in terrible pain due to osteoporosis, eventually becoming a bedridden invalid. That was before any drugs were available for treating the condition. She died in 1990.
Around ten years ago I had a spinal fusion, and the surgeon said my bones were like butter. I found a great endocrinologist who put me on biweekly testosterone injections, Fosamax, and when it came out, Forteo, as well as calcium and vitamin D. Over the years my bone density has improved every year, and despite several falls, I have only experienced one hair-line wrist fracture two years ago. I now take Actonel because of the convenience of once-a-month dosing.
I have had multiple spinal disease diagnoses, and had a thoraxic spinal fusion in 2001..I would not be able to walk today had it not been for my orthopoedic surgeon's skills. He is still in practice here in New Orleans. I would be happy to refer his name to you. I also have osteoporosis, and have taken miacalcin, fosamax, boniva, and went off the meds for a year for dental surgery, and there was no change in my bone density
test..So I'm staying off the meds and see what happens!!
PS: My new DO dr wants me to take Boniva injections. I dont think so. Off to find new doc.
that causes or can cause those reactions
is an idiot. Thank you but I will continue
to work with diet, calcium and proven
Vit D and of course exercise.I trust the
AMA and the greedy pharmaceutical like
I would trust a fox in the hen house.
Marged McNeely
I am scheduled to receive my second injection a week from today. Now I'm really freightened to receive it again.
I have intermittent jaw and teeth pain. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place because when I take calcium supplement
tablets, I wake up at night with excruciating leg cramps. I do take vitamin D
and eat calcium rich foods. I have been Diagnosed with advanced osteoporosis.
Kathie Mahoney
Clovis, CA
TERRIFIC KNEE PAIN. WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN PAKISTAN.ANY SIDE EFFECT.
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