Key takeaways
Prolia (denosumab) and Tymlos (abaloparatide) are both medications used to treat osteoporosis, but they work in different ways and have different dosing schedules. Prolia is a monoclonal antibody that prevents bone loss by blocking a protein that breaks down bones. It is given as an injection under the skin once every 6 months. On the other hand, Tymlos is a parathyroid hormone analog that promotes bone formation by mimicking the hormone your body naturally makes. Tymlos is injected under the skin once a day and can only be used for up to 2 years due to a theoretical risk of bone cancer. Prolia requires you to take calcium and vitamin D supplements daily, while Tymlos may raise your calcium levels, so you should only take supplements if your provider says it's safe. Prolia may be used long-term as long as it continues to work for you, whereas Tymlos has not been studied for use longer than 2 years. Both medications have their own set of side effects and risks, so it's important to discuss with your provider which one is right for you.
