PROLIA® (Non-English)

Prolia is a RANK ligand (RANKL) inhibitor with a number of indications. Prolia contains denosumab as its active ingredient. Denosumab is a human monoclonal antibody that is specific to the human receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL). Prolia works by blocking RANKL from binding to its receptor on osteoclasts. RANKL is a protein that is essential to the development and survival of osteoclasts, which are cells that contribute to bone resorption. By preventing osteoclast formation, bone resorption is decreased, which in turn helps reestablish a healthy bone remodeling rate. Prolia should be administered via subcutaneous injection by a medical professional. Prolia is supplied in a single-use prefilled syringe; each syringe contains 60mg in a 1ml solution. Prolia can be administered in the upper arm, the upper thigh, or the abdomen.

Prolia is indicated to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women that are at a high risk of bone fracture and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women at a high risk for bone fracture. It is also indicated to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture, increase bone mass in men that are at high risk for fracture and are receiving androgen deprivation treatment for nonmetastatic prostate cancer, and to increase bone mass in women that are at a high risk for fracture and are receiving adjuvant aromatase inhibitor treatment for breast cancer. Postmenopausal women are at risk of developing osteoporosis, as their bone mineral density rapidly decreases with the loss of estrogen as they undergo menopause. Patients receiving Prolia need to take calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Prolia has been shown to effectively helps increase bone density. Patients on Prolia follow a convenient dosing schedule of one injection every six months, which encourages compliance.