Reclast vs. Prolia

• Are Reclast and Prolia the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Reclast?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Prolia?
• What Is Reclast?
• What Is Prolia?
• What Drugs Interact with Reclast?
• What Drugs Interact with Prolia?
• How Should Reclast Be Taken?
• How Should Prolia Be Taken?

Reclast (zoledronic acid) and Prolia (denosumab) are drugs used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

The drugs are in different drug classes. Reclast is a bisphosphonate and Prolia is a monoclonal antibody.

Reclast is also used to treat Paget's disease, high blood levels of calcium caused by cancer (hypercalcemia of malignancy), multiple myeloma (a type of bone marrow cancer) or cancer that has spread from elsewhere in the body to the bone, to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis, and to treat or prevent osteoporosis in people who will be taking certain steroid medicines for 12 months or longer.

The most common side effects of Reclast is hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Symptoms include:

• nausea,
• tiredness,
• flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, chills, muscle/joint aches),
• cough,
• dizziness,
• headache,
• vision problems,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• joint or muscle pain, or
• injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling).

Common side effects of Prolia include:

• low calcium levels (especially if you have kidney problems),
• weakness,
• constipation,
• back pain,
• muscle pain,
• pain in your arms and legs,
• anemia,
• diarrhea, or
• skin problems (eczema, blisters, dry skin, peeling, redness, itching, small bumps).

Reclast is a prescription medicine used to:

• Treat or prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause. Reclast helps reduce the chance of having a hip or spinal fracture (break).
• Increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis.
• Treat or prevent osteoporosis in either men or women who will be taking corticosteroid medicines for at least one year.
• Treat certain men and women who have Paget's disease of the bone.

It is not known how long Reclast works for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. You should see your doctor regularly to determine if Reclast is still right for you.

Reclast is not for use in children.

Prolia is a prescription medicine used to:

• Treat osteoporosis (thinning and weakening of bone) in women after menopause ("change of life") who:
• are at high risk for fracture (broken bone)
• cannot use another osteoporosis medicine or other osteoporosis medicines did not work well
• Increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis who are at high risk for fracture.
• Treat bone loss in men who are at high risk for fracture receiving certain treatments for prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body.
• Treat bone loss in women who are at high risk for fracture receiving certain treatments for breast cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body.

It is not known if Prolia is safe and effective in children.

Reclast may interact with different drugs. Reclast may interact with diuretics (water pills), antibiotics, other medicines that can harm your kidneys, cancer medicines, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Prolia may interact different drugs.

• Your doctor will tell you how often you will receive Reclast.
• Reclast is given by infusion into your vein (intravenously). Your infusion should last at least 15 minutes.
• Before you receive Reclast, drink at least 2 glasses of fluid (such as water) within a few hours as directed by your doctor.
• You may eat before your treatment with Reclast.
• If you miss a dose of Reclast, call your doctor or healthcare provider to schedule your next dose.

• Prolia is an injection that will be given to you by a healthcare professional. Prolia is injected under your skin (subcutaneous).
• You will receive Prolia 1 time every 6 months.
• You should take calcium and vitamin D as your doctor tells you to while you receive Prolia.
• If you miss a dose of Prolia, you should receive your injection as soon as you can.
• Take good care of your teeth and gums while you receive Prolia. Brush and floss your teeth regularly.
• Tell your dentist that you are receiving Prolia before you have dental work.