Prolia vs. Xgeva for Osteoporosis and Multiple Myeloma: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Prolia

(denosumab)

Xgeva

(denosumab)

Summary for Prolia

Prescription only

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.

Indications for Prolia

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

Pros and Cons for Prolia

Pros

Works well at preventing bone loss, which lowers your risk of breaking a bone
Only given once every 6 months, which is less often than most other osteoporosis medications
An alternative option for people who can't take bisphosphonates like alendronate (Fosamax)
A good option for postmenopausal women at very high risk of fractures

Cons

Must go to the medical office to get the injection
Must take with calcium and vitamin D supplements
Can cause bone and muscle pain
Not safe during pregnancy

Common Side Effects for Prolia

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%)

Warnings for Prolia

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)

Summary for Xgeva

Prescription only

Xgeva (denosumab) is a RANKL inhibitor used to help prevent serious bone problems caused by cancer. It's also approved to treat giant cell tumor of bone and high calcium levels due to cancer. The medication is given as an injection under the skin by a healthcare professional, typically once a month. Common side effects include nausea, tiredness, and diarrhea. Several biosimilar versions of Xgeva (denosumab) are also available.

Indications for Xgeva

Prevention of bone problems in adults with multiple myeloma or certain cancers that have spread to the bones
Giant cell tumor of bone in adults and certain teens who can't have surgery
High calcium levels caused by cancer (hypercalcemia of malignancy) in adults after bisphosphonate treatment hasn't worked

Pros and Cons for Xgeva

Pros

Helps reduce serious bone problems caused by cancers
Can be used for many cancer-related bone conditions
Typically injected once a month

Cons

Must be injected by a healthcare professional
Requires regular blood tests
Not safe in pregnancy

Common Side Effects for Xgeva

Cancer that has spread to the bones:

Tiredness (45%)
Low phosphate levels (32%)
Nausea (31%)

Multiple myeloma:

Diarrhea (34%)
Nausea (32%)
Low red blood cells (22%)
Back pain (21%)

Giant cell tumor of bone: (all ≥ 10%)

Joint pain
Back pain
Pain in the arms and legs
Tiredness
Headache
Nausea
Common cold symptoms
Muscle or bone pain
Toothache
Vomiting
Low phosphate levels
Constipation
Diarrhea
Cough

High calcium due to cancer:

Nausea (30%)
Shortness of breath (27%)
Reduced appetite (24%)
Headache (24%)
Swelling (24%)
Vomiting (24%)
Low red blood cell count (21%)
Constipation (21%)
Diarrhea (21%)

Warnings for Xgeva

Serious allergic reactions
Low calcium levels
Jaw bone problems (osteonecrosis of the jaw)
Thigh bone fractures
High calcium levels after stopping treatment
Spinal fractures after stopping treatment
Harm to unborn baby

Prices with our coupons for Prolia vs. Xgeva

Prolia1 syringe / 1ml of 60mg/ml

$1,870.20$2,460.96

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Xgeva1 vial / 1.7ml of 120mg/1.7ml

$3,417.35$4,168.30

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Prolia vs. Xgeva

Prolia

Xgeva

Summary for Prolia

Indications for Prolia

Pros and Cons for Prolia

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Prolia

Warnings for Prolia

Summary for Xgeva

Indications for Xgeva

Pros and Cons for Xgeva

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Xgeva

Warnings for Xgeva

Prices with our coupons for Prolia vs. Xgeva

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Prolia

Xgeva

Summary for Prolia

Indications for Prolia

Pros and Cons for Prolia

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Prolia

Warnings for Prolia

Summary for Xgeva

Indications for Xgeva

Pros and Cons for Xgeva

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Xgeva

Warnings for Xgeva