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Xgeva vs. Prolia

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.

• 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

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%)

• 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

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)