PROLIA
Prolia (denosumab) is a RANK ligand inhibitor used to treat osteoporosis and increase bone mass in patients at high risk for fracture. It is indicated for postmenopausal women and men with osteoporosis, as well as individuals with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. The drug is also used to address bone loss in patients receiving specific treatments for nonmetastatic prostate cancer or breast cancer. High-risk patients are defined as those with a history of osteoporotic fracture, multiple risk factors, or those who have failed or are intolerant to other therapies.
How PROLIA Works
Prolia binds to RANKL, a protein essential for the formation, function, and survival of osteoclasts, which are the cells responsible for bone resorption. By preventing RANKL from activating its receptor on the surface of osteoclasts and their precursors, the drug inhibits the breakdown of bone. This reduction in bone resorption leads to increased bone mass and strength in both cortical and trabecular bone.
Details
- Status
- Prescription
- First Approved
- 2010-06-01
- Routes
- SUBCUTANEOUS
- Dosage Forms
- INJECTABLE
PROLIA Approval History
What PROLIA Treats
4 indicationsPROLIA is approved for 4 conditions since its original approval in 2010. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.
- Osteoporosis
- Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
- Prostate Cancer
- Breast Cancer
PROLIA Boxed Warning
SEVERE HYPOCALCEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED KIDNEY DISEASE Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ), including dialysis-dependent patients, are at greater risk of severe hypocalcemia following Prolia administration. Severe hypocalcemia resulting in hospitalization, life-threatening events and fatal cases have been reported [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . The presence of chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) markedly increases the risk ...
WARNING: SEVERE HYPOCALCEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED KIDNEY DISEASE Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ), including dialysis-dependent patients, are at greater risk of severe hypocalcemia following Prolia administration. Severe hypocalcemia resulting in hospitalization, life-threatening events and fatal cases have been reported [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . The presence of chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) markedly increases the risk of hypocalcemia in these patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Prior to initiating Prolia in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, evaluate for the presence of CKD-MBD. Treatment with Prolia in these patients should be supervised by a healthcare provider with expertise in the diagnosis and management of CKD-MBD [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. WARNING: SEVERE HYPOCALCEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED KIDNEY DISEASE See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease are at greater risk of severe hypocalcemia following Prolia administration. Severe hypocalcemia resulting in hospitalization, life-threatening events and fatal cases have been reported. ( 5.1 ) The presence of chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) markedly increases the risk of hypocalcemia. ( 5.1 ) Prior to initiating Prolia in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, evaluate for the presence of CKD-MBD. Treatment with Prolia in these patients should be supervised by a healthcare provider with expertise in the diagnosis and management of CKD-MBD. ( 2.2 , 5.1 )
PROLIA Biosimilars
10 FDA-approved10 can be substituted at the pharmacy without calling the prescriber.
What are biosimilars? Lower-cost alternatives to PROLIA with no clinically meaningful differences.
Auto-substitute OK = FDA "interchangeable" designation — pharmacist can switch without calling the doctor.
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Active Pipeline
Ongoing clinical trials by development phase
Key Completed Trials
Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance
Trial Timeline
Full development history with FDA approval milestones
Understanding FDA Approval Types
| Count | Type | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| - | ORIG | Original approval - drug first enters market |
| - | SUPPL - Efficacy | New indication (new disease/condition approved) |
| - | SUPPL - Labeling | Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates) |
| - | SUPPL - Manufacturing | Production changes (new facility) |
| - | SUPPL - Chemistry | Formulation changes (new dosage strength) |
Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.
PROLIA FDA Label Details
ProIndications & Usage
FDA Label (PDF)Prolia is a RANK ligand (RANKL) inhibitor indicated for treatment: of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women at high risk for fracture to increase bone mass in men at high risk for fracture receiving androgen deprivation therapy for nonmetastatic prostate cancer to increase bone mass in women at high risk for fracture receiving adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy for breast cancer 1.1 Treatment of Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis at H...
WARNING: SEVERE HYPOCALCEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED KIDNEY DISEASE Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ), including dialysis-dependent patients, are at greater risk of severe hypocalcemia following Prolia administration. Severe hypocalcemia resulting in hospit...
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Data Sources
Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.