What is Prolia?
Prolia, also known as Denosumab, is an injectable medication produced by Amgen.
What are the uses and side effects?
Prolia is used to treat osteoporosis and bone loss in women and men. It is not safe for pregnant women and is not approved for use by children.
Common side effects include:
- joint pain
- muscle pain
- back pain
- pain in arms and legs
- common cold
- high cholesterol
Other less common side effects of taking Denosumab are:
- serious allergic reactions
- low calcium levels (hypocalcemia)
- severe jaw bone problems
- unusual fractures of the thigh bone
- serious infections
- skin problems
Are there any Prolia lawsuits?
There are several lawsuits concerning Prolia (Denosumab) that have been filed in recent years. These legal actions focus on complications such as atypical femur fractures and osteonecrosis of the jaw, which are not only painful but can also be debilitating for patients. The lawsuits have been brought by patients who allege that the medication caused them significant harm, with many of them developing conditions that were as severe as the osteoporosis symptoms they sought relief from. A class-action lawsuit has also been filed against Amgen, the manufacturer of Prolia1.
Beyond the patient-filed lawsuits, Amgen is involved in a complex legal battle surrounding Prolia as it sued Novartis to block the generic versions of the drug used for treating osteoporosis and bone cancer.
Currently, there is no known settlement in the Prolia class-action lawsuit. The legal proceedings continue, and patients impacted by the drug’s side effects may eventually receive compensation for their injuries and suffering. It’s important for those affected by Prolia to keep up with the progress of the lawsuit, as developments in the case may lead to potential settlements or further legal actions.
As for Prolia’s usage, it is approved by the FDA to treat postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for bone fracture, as well as men with osteoporosis. It is known for its ability to improve bone density, thereby reducing the risk of fractures in osteoporosis patients. However, despite its benefits, it has been linked to some severe side effects, including more than 40 serious cutaneous adverse events and hypocalcemia, which can potentially lead to life-threatening complications. Moreover, after stopping Prolia treatment, some patients have experienced multiple vertebral fractures1.
It’s worth mentioning that a consumer watchdog has petitioned the FDA to add a black box warning to Prolia’s label. A black box warning is the FDA’s strongest warning label, indicating significant risks associated with the drug. Health Canada and European regulators have also been monitoring the safety of Prolia.
Learn more about Prolia
To learn more about Prolia, please visit these websites:
- Official Website
- Wikipedia – Denosumab
- FDA.gov