Prolia Pros And Cons

Vivian Goldschmidt, MA Drugs

Evidence-Based
4 min Read
prolia

At only 2 years out from FDA approval, Prolia (generic name, denosumab) is still considered a new treatment – so the pros and cons are still being weighed and considered by patients, doctors, and researchers. It’s only fair to point out some of the attributes of Prolia; in this way, you can be prepared for the glowing reports about Prolia that you’ll likely hear from your doctor. After reading this, you’ll be able to see these pros in the proper light when they are presented to you. Prepare for the pros and learn the cons – think of it as studying for a test!

The Pros

  • It’s new. This implies that it’s the product of the latest research, and that past problems with similar drugs have been considered and corrected. Patients are led to believe that this brand new drug is the “latest thing.”
  • It’s convenient. Prolia is administered in just 2 shots a year rather than a pill every day.
  • The digestive system is avoided, since Prolia is administered as a shot. The unpleasant (and sometimes debilitating) digestive side effects of other osteoporosis medications are well-known, making Prolia seem like a welcome change.
  • Prolia works where other osteoporosis medications fail. This ties in with Prolia being new – it’s held out as a hope for those who have had bad luck with other osteoporosis drugs.

The Cons

  • It’s new. Yes, this was listed in the pros, but Prolia’s newness is most definitely a double-duty characteristic of the drug. The fact that it’s new means that it has only been tested in the lab, not in humans. This is why drugs get pulled off the market; no one really knows the extent of the dangers until the drug has been released to the public for several years. Do you really want to take part in a trial to determine the effectiveness and safety of a drug?
  • Potentially serious side effects are a definite con. If I listed all of them here under the “cons” list, then it would be a very long list indeed. So I am sticking to the most alarming.
    Infections, sometimes severe, particularly in the ear, abdominal region, bladder, and skin (due to the way Prolia affects the immune system)
  • Hypocalcemia, which means low blood calcium. This is more than just a mineral deficiency; hypocalcemia can cause terrible pain and muscle cramps, and it is your body’s alarm system that the calcium in your body is in the wrong place.

  • Inflammation of the heart’s inner lining
  • Osteocrenosis, or a severe infection of the jaw bone. Patients who experience deep, unrelenting pain after receiving Prolia have found that they need dental work due to the discomfort and pain in their teeth and jaw. This dental work, which your body translates as trauma, can lead to literal death (“necrosis”) of the jaw bone. Treatment is difficult and may result in permanent disfigurement.
  • It’s a drug. Drugs are for people with serious illnesses and/or medical conditions, and osteoporosis is not a disease. Prolia is, by its nature, an inappropriate treatment for osteoporosis.

Despite all the horrible side effects, this last point really sums up Prolia’s list of pros and cons. It’s a drug, and osteoporosis does not need drugs to treat it, period. Post-menopausal bone loss is not a disease; it’s simply a change in body chemistry that requires a change in diet and lifestyle to accommodate it. It’s that simple! If you’re still not sure, sign up for The Natural Bone Building Handbook. It’s free, and you’ll learn a lot about what you can do for your bones through natural means. From supplements to foods to exercise, there are all kinds of options for getting your osteoporosis under control. As you learn, you’ll probably want to take the next step and try the whole Osteoporosis Reversal Program. There’s no room left for a list of pros for this program! I can list the cons of the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, though: none.

Healthy bones are within your reach. Go for it!