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Prolia vs. Teriparatide

Prolia (denosumab) is an injection that's used to treat osteoporosis in adults at high risk of fracture. It's also for those at high risk of fractures from certain cancer medications. It works as a monoclonal antibody called a RANKL inhibitor to strengthen your bones. Prolia (denosumab) is a convenient option because you only need an injection every 6 months. It's injected under the skin by a healthcare professional at a medical office. Side effects include back and muscle pain. It also has a risk of causing dangerously low calcium levels.

• Osteoporosis in women who've gone through menopause and at high risk of fracture
• Osteoporosis in men at high risk of fracture
• Osteoporosis caused by steroid medications in people at high risk of fracture
• Bone loss in men at high risk of fracture taking certain medications for prostate cancer
• Bone loss in women at high risk of fracture taking certain breast cancer medications

• Back pain (35%)
• Pain in the arm or leg (12%)
• Muscle, bone, or joint pain (up to 8%)
• High cholesterol levels (7%)
• Pain or discomfort while urinating and other symptoms of a bladder infection (6%)
• Sensation that the room is spinning (5%)
• Swelling in the hands or feet (5%)
• Upper respiratory tract infection (5%)

• Dangerously low calcium levels
• Risk of fractures in the thigh bone
• Risk of spine fractures after stopping Prolia (denosumab)
• Risk of serious infections
• Risk of problems in the jawbone
• Serious allergic reactions and skin reactions
• Severe bone, muscle, or joint pain
• Don't take with Xgeva (denosumab)

Forteo (teriparatide) is used to treat osteoporosis (bone loss or weakening). It's for people who are at very high fracture risk or people who've already tried other osteoporosis medications. Forteo (teriparatide) is an injection that you give to yourself once a day. Some common side effects include general body pain and joint pain. This medication comes as a prefilled pen, but it doesn't come with pen needles. Forteo (teriparatide) is only available as a brand medication; there's no generic version yet.

• Osteoporosis in females who've gone through menopause (postmenopause)
• Osteoporosis in males
• Osteoporosis caused by long-term use of corticosteroids

• Body pain (21%)
• Joint pain (10%)
• Runny nose (10%)
• Nausea (9%)
• Body weakness (9%)
• Headache (8%)
• Dizziness (8%)
• High blood pressure (7%)

• Bone cancer (osteosarcoma)
• High calcium levels in the blood
• Kidney stones
• Low blood pressure
• Higher risk of side effects from digoxin (Lanoxin)