Evenity vs Prolia: Which is right for you?

Evenity (romosozumab-aqqg) and Prolia (denosumab) are injectable medications used to reduce the risk of bone fractures by treating bone loss. Choosing the right option depends on factors such as FDA-approved uses, dosing schedules, and side effects.

What are Evenity and Prolia?

Both Evenity and Prolia help improve bone density but work in different ways and are approved for different patient groups.

Evenity

Evenity is a sclerostin inhibitor that is FDA approved for treating osteoporosis in postmenopausal women who:

• Are at high risk for fracture
• Cannot take other osteoporosis treatments
• Have taken other osteoporosis treatments without success

Prolia

Prolia is a RANK ligand (RANKL) inhibitor that is FDA approved for treating:

• Osteoporosis in postmenopausal women who are at a high risk for fracture
• Osteoporosis in men who are at a high risk for fracture
• Osteoporosis caused by steroids in men and women who are at a high risk for fracture
• Bone loss in men at high risk for fracture who are taking androgen deprivation therapy for nonmetastatic prostate cancer
• Bone loss in women at high risk for fracture who are taking add-on aromatase inhibitor therapy for breast cancer

How are Evenity and Prolia given?

Both medications are injected under the skin (subcutaneously) by a healthcare professional.

Related questions

• What's the difference between Prolia and Reclast?
• Does Prolia weaken your immune system?
• How do you give a Prolia injection?

What are the side effects of Evenity and Prolia?

Each medication has its own set of potential side effects.

Common side effects of Evenity

• Joint pain
• Headache
• Muscle spasms
• Swelling in the arms and legs
• Weakness
• Neck pain
• Trouble sleeping
• Tingling sensation

Common side effects of Prolia

• Back pain
• Joint pain
• Bone and muscle pain
• Pain in the arms or legs
• Headache

More rare but serious side effects of Prolia and Evenity include low calcium levels and osteonecrosis of the jaw.

In addition to the side effects listed above, Evenity was found to have a higher rate of major heart events (e.g., heart attack, stroke) compared to patients taking another bone medication called alendronate. This risk has not been identified with Prolia. As a result, Evenity is not recommended if you have had a heart attack or stroke within a year of starting treatment.

These are not all possible side effects from taking Evenity and Prolia. Review all side effects with your healthcare provider or refer to the product labeling for more information.

Final Considerations

This guide provides key information about Evenity and Prolia, but it is not a substitute for medical advice. Discuss with your healthcare provider to determine which treatment is best for you.

This is not all the information you need to know about Evenity (romosozumab-aqqg) and Prolia (denosumab) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.