Denosumab Approved for Osteoporosis

The FDA has approved a new treatment for preventing osteoporotic fractures. Denosumab (Prolia) is a receptor activator of nuclear factor-B ligand inhibitor that suppresses bone turnover, thereby lowering incidence of vertebral and hip fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (JW Womens Health Aug 11 2009). Administered every 6 months as a 60-mg subcutaneous injection, denosumab can exacerbate preexisting hypocalcemia, which should be corrected before initiating treatment. For patients who are predisposed to hypocalcemia, monitoring of serum calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels is recommended. In a phase III trial, dermatologic adverse events (dermatitis, eczema, and rashes) occurred more commonly with denosumab than with pla…