denosumab(Prolia (osteoporosis), Xgeva (oncology))
RANK ligand inhibitor (monoclonal antibody)
Pronunciation
/dɛˈnoʊsʊmæb/
International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Say it aloud once — you will remember it forever.
At a glance
- Generic name
- denosumab
- Brand names
- Prolia (osteoporosis), Xgeva (oncology)
- Therapeutic class
- RANK ligand inhibitor (monoclonal antibody)
- Mechanism (summary)
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Clinical pearls
- Subcutaneous injection every 6 months (Prolia) or every 4 weeks (Xgeva).
- Take daily calcium 1000-1200 mg + vitamin D 800-1000 IU.
- Get dental exam before starting.
- Do not stop without transitioning to another osteoporosis medicine - rapid bone loss and fracture risk.
- Report jaw pain, thigh/groin pain, unusual fractures, signs of infection.
Sources
See how denosumab appears in NAPLEX-style questions
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