Denosumab problems

[HeronNS]

Just read about this on the bone health community this morning. Discontinuing denosumab (Prolia) can lead to vertebral fracture, apparently not related to the underlying osteoporosis, but to the development of microcracks in the bones from denosumab. Advice is to replace denosumab, not go cold turkey off the med. Sounds like this drug is ripe for lawsuits, and probably should be withdrawn.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/277...

ard.bmj.com/content/75/Supp...

[Mistydawn]

Thank you for alerting us to this

[SheffieldJane]

Thanks for the alert Heron. I wonder if this goes for all the Biophosphonates. They work in the same way. One of the reasons I dodge them, the other is I don't need them ( minor factor according to one of my GPs).

[HeronNS in reply to SheffieldJane]

I've heard that denosumab is a stronger drug than AA and its relatives. It basically poisons the osteoclasts (bone remodelling cells) whereas the standard bisphosphonates retard their action. Osteoclasts are apparently part of our immune system, so I'd be wary of anything which damaged them on that basis alone. It looks very much like a vulnerable population has been treated by drug companies as a) cash cows and b) guinea pigs.

[HeronNS in reply to SheffieldJane]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/258...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/282...

[CuriousBetsy in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks so much for all the info. Very interesting. Betty

[ruthmunby]

Thanks for this. A mine of information as ever!

Best wishes Ruth

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It's classed as a bisphosphonate - looks like the bugs are starting to crawl out of the woodwork...

[GCA1947]

Dear HeronNS

Thanks for this, just as I thought I'd got over the problems of Zoledronic Acid and changed to Denosumab and had my first injection along comes another problem to consider. I wonder what the Rheumatologist will say to this.

Regards

Colin

[HeronNS in reply to GCA1947]

What I've said all along - eat right, take appropriate supplements and do as much appropriate exercise as you can manage.

[Jackoh]

Thank you for this Heron.

[HeronNS]

This was posted in Bone Health community, gives an outline of the current proposed protocol for people who are planning to discontinue denosumab in light of the findings regarding rebound vertebral fractures.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/287...

My thoughts, if you are on Prolia you need advice when you think it's time to discontinue it. And if you've been considering starting it as new treatment, perhaps reconsider?