I have been on Xgeva for over two years because I have metastasis on my bones. My MO suggests that I could stop the Xgeva. Please, I have some questions, and I need help.
If I stop the Xgeva can I start Zometa?
Is there any difference between Xgeva and Zometa?
How long can one be on Xgeva or Zometa?
After 2 years, it may be a good idea to take a break. That's when serious side effects may begin to appear.
Xgeva every 4 weeks seems to be equivalent to Zometa every 3 weeks. There was some early "news" that Xgeva was more effective at preventing skeletal "events." But when Zometa was given every 3 weeks, that apparent advantage disappeared. They are interchangeable.
Thank you Tall_Allen, your answer is very much helpful. I appreciate it.
If you are going to stop Xgeva, then it is somewhat problematic that bone loss can accelerate and protection is lost. So both stopping it and continuing after some years are both problematic. the best answer that is known (as of now) is that going onto an oral bisphophonate such as alendronate (Fosamax or generic) 70 mg once weekly. It can protect the gains in bone strength when denosumab is discontinued. Please discuss it with your MO.
See this article on denosumab discontinuation fractures:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/287...
I'm somewhat confused about the condition of my bones and future treatments. I'm oligo and started Xgeva in June 2019 and my last shot was March 2022. I believe I have osteonecrosis and have an app'mt to see an oral surgeon this month. My bone density has made a dramatic improvement from 2020 to now from what I believe was a change in my calcium supplement and resistance/cardio work at the gym. I'm going to see my MO later this month after my yearly body and bone scans and I hope we stop Xgeva. Do you think that if I keep up with my exercise program, I would be able eliminate future treatments or would need to go on Alendronate drugs? Thank you Bob
Very unfortunate if you are one who developed ONJ. Seems that would require stopping Xgeva and getting that treated. I would think a follow up repeat DEXA scan after a few months would then be valuable to assess withdrawal effects and if some alternative treatment with less risk is called for.
Good reminder. I had forgotten that issue about stopping
Thank you MateoBeach.
Thank you MateoBeach.
In order to minimize side effects, my MO has been giving me Xgeva shots quarterly along with Eligard.
Thank you HopingForTheBest1
What were the results of your most recent bone density scan?
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