What is the Denosumab (Prolia) Injection?

DENOSUMAB pronounced as "Den Oh Sue Mab" also known as a Prolia Injection, slows bone breakdown. Prolia is used to treat osteoporosis in women after menopause and in men, and in people who are taking corticosteroids for 6 months or more. Prolia® is a prescription medicine used to treat osteoporosis in women and men who are at high risk for fracture, meaning have had a fracture related to osteoporosis, or who have multiple risk factors for fracture or cannot use another osteoporosis medicine or other osteoporosis medicines did not work well. It is an injection every six months. 

Prolia® is one option used here at Family First Family Medical Practice for osteoporosis and typically cost the patient zero dollars. 

Click on the below video to see a 3D bone model to show the impact of untreated osteoporosis.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease in which your bone density decreases, causing weak and brittle bones that are easily susceptible to fractures. Osteoporosis fractures commonly occur in your hips, wrists, or spine. Although osteoporosis can affect both men and women, it’s most prominent in post-menopausal women.  Occurring more rapidly in women after menopause than prior to menopause, osteoporosis weakens your bones making them more susceptible to fractures.   These fractures can impact your life in many ways and decrease the things you like to do.  Medications and exercises can help slow your loss of bone mass and strengthen weak bones.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

Common symptoms include:

• Poor posture or  a stooped posture.
• Mid-back or low back pain
• Bone fractures that happen easily
• Loss of height over time



At first, you may not even be aware that your bone density is decreasing until you experience a fracture. Sometimes, osteoporosis symptoms go unnoticed and undetected for years; so if you are at higher risk of developing the condition, it’s a good idea to get a bone density test to determine your bone health.

Who is at risk for developing osteoporosis?

Caucasian and Asian women are in the highest risk group for developing osteoporosis. Also, your age, family history, and body composition can lead to an increased risk. Women and men who are thin and have a smaller bone structure are more prone to osteoporosis.

Taking certain medications may also weaken your bones, and adults with a history of hormone imbalances or thyroid disorders are at a higher risk. Poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and other medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can also put you at risk for developing osteoporosis.

What are my treatment options?

The goal of osteoporosis treatments is to prevent further bone density loss and to strengthen your bones to prevent fractures. Our team may prescribe medications that help protect your bones or hormone therapy to decrease bone loss.  Our team uses ultrasound-guidance technology to administer injections like Prolia® that help reduce the effects of osteoporosis.

Additionally, making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking or becoming more active can also help slow the progression of the disease and keep your bones strong. Taking supplements to increase your vitamin D and calcium levels may also help to control the symptoms of osteoporosis and strengthen your bones.

Understanding Prolia

Prolia® is a manmade antibody designed to bind to a protein receptor on the surface of bone cells known as osteoclasts. These cells are responsible for bone breakdown. Prolia® slows down osteoclast formation, activity, and survival, thereby reducing bone breakdown and promoting normal bone formation.  Prolia® is an injectable drug administered under the skin every six months. It is generally very well tolerated, but may rarely cause low calcium levels, atypical fractures, and jaw problems.

In clinical trials, Prolia® was effective in treating osteoporosis and reducing bone loss.

To schedule your Prolia® consultation, call Family First Family Medical Practice at 661-341-3800. 

Visit Family First Family Medical Practice by clicking on the following link www.familyfirstmedgroup.com 
 

To learn more about our providers, click on the following link below: 

https://www.familyfirstmedgroup.com/providers 

We are currently open to new patients. 

Clinical Studies:

Freemantle N, Satram-Hoang S, Tang ET, et al. Final results of the DAPS (Denosumab Adherence Preference Satisfaction) study: a 24-month, randomized, crossover comparison with alendronate in postmenopausal women. Osteoporos Int. 2012;23:317-326.

Silverman SL, Gold DT. Compliance and persistence with osteoporosis therapies. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2008;10:118-122.

Gu T, Eisenberg Lawrence DF, Stephenson JJ, Yu J. Physicians' perspectives on the treatment of osteoporosis patients with bisphosphonates. Clin Interv Aging. 2016;11:1-8.

National Osteoporosis Foundation. Clinician's Guide to Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis. Washington, DC: National Osteoporosis Foundation; 2013.

Bone HG, Wagman RB, Brandi ML, et al. 10 years of denosumab treatment in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: results from the phase 3 randomized FREEDOM trial and open-label extension. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2017;5:513-523.