Concerns over popular osteoporosis drug side effects

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Patients are raising concerns about a lack of informed consent over the nation's most popular osteoporosis drug. They say not enough of them are being adequately informed of side effects or complications when coming-off the drug.

Transcript

00:00Margaret Rynes had osteonecrosis of the jaw for two years, a painful condition that involves

00:08the death of bone cells due to decreased blood flow.

00:11The pain will come on suddenly and it's so severe, all you want to do is go and lie down.

00:19It's a side effect of the osteoporosis medication she was taking, but her specialist hadn't

00:24warned her.

00:26Osteoporosis reduces bone mass and density, making them fragile.

00:30Prolia or denosumab works by blocking cells that cause the bone loss.

00:34It's given by injection every six months, but a late or skipped dose can make symptoms

00:39return, sometimes worse than before.

00:42There is a small but significant risk of multiple spine fractures in patients who stop prolia

00:50without any further preventative measures.

00:55He co-authored a report finding most patients weren't offered those preventative measures.

01:00Some patients say it's an ongoing issue and the advice gap means they weren't able to

01:04give informed consent.

01:06We're just being told the side effects are rare, you can stop taking at any time, my

01:11mother is on it, if you don't take it you will break a hip and die.

01:16I think it's very important that anyone who prescribes or deprescribes a drug for a patient

01:21has this conversation with them.

01:24Patients want the regulator to add a black box warning to prolia, something that's already

01:28happened in the US.

01:29But it and the drugs manufacturer Amgen say warnings are already listed on the product

01:34information leaflet.

01:36The RACGP insists prolia is safe and effective and warns injury from osteoporosis can be

01:42deadly.

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