Evenity vs Prolia for Osteoporosis—Comparing Effectiveness and Side Effects
If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you might be wondering which is better, Evenity vs Prolia? Both are medications doctors often prescribe to treat people with weakening bones and who are at risk of breaking them. To help you understand what each drug is and how it works, we’ve gathered some helpful information.
Osteoporosis is a disease marked by weakened bones. Bone tissue is alive, constantly breaking down and being regrown throughout your life. Whether from age, poor diet, other diseases and causes, sometimes your body can’t make new bone as fast as old bone is broken down. The result is porous, demineralized weakened bones. When your bones are less dense, they break easily, sometimes simply by taking a hard step or having a vigorous cough.
Keeping healthy habits, including a mineral-rich diet and getting plenty of exercise, can sometimes lessen or prevent bone loss. Sometimes, however, there is nothing you can do. Your doctor may then turn to medications like Evenity® and Prolia®.
Evenity for osteoporosis
Evenity is a newer drug for helping people with osteoporosis. For people with multiple risk factors that can lead to broken bones and for those who can’t take existing therapies, Evenity holds great promise.
Evenity is the brand name for a chemical called romosozumab. It works by interfering with a protein called sclerostin, which suppresses bone growth. Your body can then use minerals in your blood to build back your bone tissue. Osteoporosis caused by menopause affects bones in many ways, one of which is related to sclerostin. If you are suffering from menopause related osteoporosis, your doctor may prescribe this new drug.
Evenity has only been available since 2019, however, it has been put through a long series of medical studies. We have a good idea of its risks and side effects.
If you have hypocalcemia, that is blood that is low in calcium, kidney disease, heart problems and circulatory issues, and other nutrient deficiencies, Evenity is not for you. If you are undergoing treatments with steroids, are getting chemotherapy or radiation for cancer, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you are at higher risk for complications.
Evenity is injected under your skin on your arm, upper thigh, or stomach. The general schedule for injections is two injections per month over the span of a year. Most patients are also put on a supplement program that includes extra vitamin D and calcium.
Prolia for osteoporosis
Another commonly prescribed osteoporosis therapy is Prolia®, the brand name for denosumab.
In addition to osteoporosis due to age, you may have osteoporosis caused by taking drugs called glucocorticoids. They are used for treating rheumatoid arthritics, lupins, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Taking anti-rejection drugs if you are living with a donor organ can also cause osteoporosis as a side-effect. Many cancer treatments increase your risk of osteoporosis, as well. Prolia is often prescribed to in many of these cases.
As with Evenity, you cannot take Prolia with certain conditions like low calcium levels, kidney disease, thyroid and parathyroid issues, nutrient malabsorption, and immune disease, among several others. You should avoid Prolia if you are pregnant or nursing.
Prolia is given as an injection just under your skin. You can learn to inject yourself, but the process is complicated. You will need to take extra calcium and Vitamin D while under this treatment. Prolia must be refrigerated and protected from light. You need to be careful not to shake the syringe and must wait until the medicine comes to room temperature before you inject it. You will need an injection every six months through the course of treatment.
Evenity vs Prolia—which is right for you
Resolving the Evenity vs Prolia debate is not so simple. It really does depend on your current situation.
Patients have experienced similar benefits and the risks are similar for both drugs. Evenity and Prolia both improve bone density, even though they work differently. They have similar side effects. You may react differently to each of them, tolerating one better than the other. Having the choice is beneficial, as not all drugs work the same for all people.
With careful consideration, your doctor will prescribe either Evenity or Prolia—or perhaps another drug—that is most likely to fit your situation. Should Evenity or Prolia not work, you may be switched to another option.
Getting treated with Evenity vs Prolia
You can get treatment with either drug at your doctor’s office or in the hospital. People find these options expensive and often inconvenient, so they consider other options.
Infusion for Health is an attractive alternative. Getting your treatment at an infusion care center is more convenient, comfortable and cost-effective for many people. At Infusion for Health, all patients enjoy a fully private suite and first-class care experience, while receiving treamt from compassionate, highly trained nurses who care about your health and comfort.
We take the time to get to know you, understand your condition, and monitor your treatment. We know what to look for when it comes to potential side effects and can work closely with your healthcare team.
Talk to your doctor about getting a referral for treatment at one of our convenient treatment locations. Give us a call and we can make setting up your treatment and getting it covered by insurance easy.
