This grade answers one narrow question: how strong is the public evidence and safety record behind this drug, and how clean is its money trail and court record? It is not a verdict on whether the drug is right for you.
WARNING: SEVERE HYPOCALCEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED KIDNEY DISEASE Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ), including dialysis-dependent patients, are at greater risk of severe hypocalcemia following Prolia administration. Severe hypocalcemia resulting in hospitalization, life-threatening events and fatal cases have been reported [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . The presence of chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) markedly increases the risk of hypocalcemia in these patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Prior to initiating Prolia in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, evaluate for the presence of CKD-MBD. Treatment with Prolia in these patients should be supervised by a healthcare provider with expertise in the diagnosis and management of CKD-MBD [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. WARNING: SEVERE HYPOCALCEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED KIDNEY DISEASE See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease are at greater risk of severe hypocalcemia following Prolia administration. Severe hypocalcemia resulting ...
Warnings the FDA chose to announce publicly after approval, as opposed to quiet label edits. Class-wide items name the drug's class, not this drug specifically.
This verdict covers denosumab 60 mg, not every form of the drug, so it does not affect the grade.
Denosumab 60 mg has very modest efficacy in the prevention of osteoporotic fractures and no efficacy for “bone loss” during prostate cancer ( e). This monoclonal antibody carries a disproportionate risk of adverse effects, including back, muscle and bone pain, multiple fractures after its discontinuation, osteonecrosis, immune dysfunction, and serious infections (including endocarditis) due to its immunosuppressive effects (Prescrire Int n° 117 , 130, 168, 198).
Prescrire is a French independent review funded only by subscribers, with no industry money. Its annual "drugs to avoid" list (2026 edition, section: Haematology) names drugs it judges more harmful than useful in every authorised indication. Its view is one expert opinion, reached without a conflict of interest.
Prolia is a RANK ligand (RANKL) inhibitor indicated for treatment: of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture ( 1.1 ) to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture ( 1.2 ) of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women at high risk for fracture ( 1.3 ) to increase bone mass in men at high risk for fracture receiving androgen deprivation therapy for nonmetastatic prostate cancer ( 1.4 ) to increase bone mass in women at high risk for fracture receiving adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy for breast cancer ( 1.5 ) 1.1 Treatment of Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis at High Risk for Fracture Prolia is indicated for the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture, defined as a history of osteoporotic fracture, or multiple risk factors for fracture; or patients who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy. In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, Prolia reduces the incidence of vertebral, nonvertebral, and hip fractures [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . 1.2 Treatment to Increase Bone Mass in Men with Osteoporosis Prolia is indicated for treatment to increase ...
Prolia is contraindicated in: Patients with hypocalcemia: Pre-existing hypocalcemia must be corrected prior to initiating therapy with Prolia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Pregnant women: Prolia may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In women of reproductive potential, pregnancy testing should be performed prior to initiating treatment with Prolia [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . Patients with hypersensitivity to Prolia: Prolia is contraindicated in patients with a history of systemic hypersensitivity to any component of the product. Reactions have included anaphylaxis, facial swelling, and urticaria [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Hypocalcemia ( 4 , 5.1 ) Pregnancy ( 4 , 8.1 ) Known hypersensitivity to Prolia ( 4 , 5.3 )
Hypocalcemia: Pre-existing hypocalcemia must be corrected before initiating Prolia. May worsen, especially in patients with renal impairment. Adequately supplement all patients with calcium and vitamin D. Concomitant use of calcimimetic drugs may also worsen hypocalcemia risk. Evaluate for presence of chronic kidney disease mineral-bone disorder. Monitor serum calcium. ( 5.1 ) Same Active Ingredient: Patients receiving Prolia should not receive other denosumab products concomitantly. ( 5.2 ) Hypersensitivity including anaphylactic reactions may occur. Discontinue permanently if a clinically significant reaction occurs. ( 5.3 ) Osteonecrosis of the jaw: Has been reported with Prolia. Monitor for symptoms. ( 5.4 ) Atypical femoral fractures: Have been reported. Evaluate patients with thigh or groin pain to rule out a femoral fracture. ( 5.5 ) Multiple vertebral fractures have been reported following Prolia discontinuation. Patients should be transitioned to another antiresorptive agent if Prolia is discontinued. ( 5.6 ) Serious infections including skin infections: May occur, including those leading to hospitalization. Advise patients to seek prompt medical attention if they develop ...
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed below and also elsewhere in the labeling: Severe Hypocalcemia and Mineral Metabolism Changes [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Osteonecrosis of the Jaw [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Atypical Subtrochanteric and Diaphyseal Femoral Fractures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Multiple Vertebral Fractures (MVF) Following Discontinuation of Prolia Treatment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Serious Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Dermatologic Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] The most common adverse reactions reported with Prolia in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis are back pain, pain in extremity, musculoskeletal pain, hypercholesterolemia, and cystitis. The most common adverse reactions reported with Prolia in men with osteoporosis are back pain, arthralgia, and nasopharyngitis. The most common adverse reactions reported with Prolia in patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis are back pain, hypertension, bronchitis, and headache. The most common (per patient incidence ≥ 10%) adverse reactions reported ...
Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) 06/2026
Source: FDA SPL label for Prolia (Amgen, Inc), effective 20260626. Full label on DailyMed.
These are counts of reports people filed, not rates of harm. Anyone can file one, and nobody checks whether the drug was the cause. Millions of doses are taken for every report sent, so the useful part is how this drug compares with the average across all drugs.
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12,119 | 10,954 | 10,426 | 9,809 | 10,668 | 9,312 | 7,941 | 4,651 |
46,622 reports blaming this drug for every million Medicare prescriptions filled, which is 16.8× the typical drug on this site. (21,843 reports in 2024–2026, against 468,512 Medicare fills in one year. This is the one number here that accounts for how many people take the drug.)
Source: the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports are voluntary and unverified. Drugs that are prescribed a lot, in the news, or in lawsuits attract more reports, so the percentages are compared with the whole database to correct for that partly, not fully.
| Date | Class | Firm | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04/2025 | Class II | Mckesson Medical-Surgical Inc. Corporate Office | CGMP Deviations; potential temperature excursions due to transit delays |
| 09/2013 | Class II | Amgen, Inc. | Presence of Particulate Matter: Visible cellulose fibers were observed in a small number of prefilled syringes during a routine quality examination. |
Class I = reasonable probability of serious harm. Class II = temporary or reversible harm. Class III = unlikely to harm. Most generic recalls are manufacturing or labeling defects for one lot, not a verdict on the molecule.
Counts measure how much evidence exists and how transparent it is, not how big the benefit is. For that, ask your prescriber: if 100 people like me took this, how many would get better because of it, and how many would be harmed? (Doctors call these the "number needed to treat" and "number needed to harm.") It differs by condition and is the number drug ads leave out. Sources: PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov.
In 2024, drug companies reported $133,803 in payments to US physicians and hospitals tied to this drug across 767 transactions (Prolia $112,295, Xgeva $21,508).
Not named in any federal pharmaceutical settlement of $100M or more on record.
Sources: CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act); Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation pending docket list; DOJ settlements as tabulated on Wikipedia with links to the primary record. State-court and individual suits are not included.
| Product | Fills | $/fill |
|---|---|---|
| Prolia | 450,858 | $1,712 |
| Xgeva | 17,654 | $3,162 |
No same-class alternatives found in RxClass.