Do Prolia injections affect the kidneys?

Hi @spiritbird2, and welcome to Connect. I'm Alyse, and I'm one of the community moderators here. I found some information on Prolia from Mayo Clinic that you may find helpful (http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/denosumab-subcutaneous-route/description/drg-20074315).

Have you talked with your pharmacist regarding the increase in your GFR? I'm also tagging @nancymc who wrote about Prolia and may have some suggestions or advice for you.

Any input yet for my Prolia question?

No not yet. Thanks for asking

@spiritbird2, my mom gets Prolia shots every 6 months. It has helped her mobility enormously. Luckily she hasn't noticed any decline in kidney function or any other side effect. I also don't see renal function or kidney function listed as side effects on the link Alyse provided.

I, too, would be confused if my doctor took me off a drug due to a side effect and then said the drug didn't cause that side effect. I would go back and ask more questions.

What were you taking Prolia for?

@spiritbird2, we took your question to a pharmacist here at Mayo Clinic. She told us this:

Kidney function decline is not an adverse reaction that is listed in drug references for Prolia. However, this medication can cause a decrease in calcium (hypocalcemia), sometimes severely. The risk is greater with decreased kidney function, and health care providers are advised to use cautiously in these cases. It’s possible that the medicine didn’t cause the decrease in kidney function, but with a decreasing GFR, the doctor may be concerned that it puts you at greater risk for some of the more serious side effects of the medication.

Thank you so much. My doc does draw serum for electrolytes and Vit D within 2 weeks of Prolia injection. My calcium is usually around 9.4 in that area and do supplement both ca and Vit D. One more question If you had stage 2 or 3 kidney disease and osteoporosis which medication would you take? Thanks again

I have been taking Fosamax for six month but stopped last month due to stomach upset issues. My doctor ordered Prolia injections twice a year. Upon picking up the prescription and reading the side effects pamphlet, I became worried that the cure may be worse then the disease. I also take bone-up brand cacium supplement 1000 mg calcium plus 500 mg magnesium and strontium 750 mg as well as vitamin D3 1000 iu. I have the ProLia in the refrigerator and an appointment tomorrow with my doctor to inject. I am very concerned about this as I have had a bad reaction to a flu shot four years ago and developed ADEM acute diseminated encephomyilitis. Does anyone have advice I could use?

I have been on Prolia for about 8 years. About a year ago I developed kidney disease picked up on routine visit and blood work done at the hematology/ oncology office I have been going to and where I received Prolia. My creatinine was 3, BUN was 50 and GFR 17. I was sent to a nephrologist and no one could tell me what caused the dramatic increase in my numbers. Prior my creatinine had been 1.4-1.6 labeled as insufficient kidney function minor now I am told I have stage 3-4 kidney disease. I have done a lot of research as I am someone who needs answers and yes kidney disease is not listed as a side effect of Prolia HOWEVER there are studies that show Prolia can cause a SIGNIFICANT increase in PTH levels ,,,, and high PTH over time can cause kidney disease !, PTH is not commonly tested nor was it at my hematologist, The kidney doctor does it as part of his standard panel and when it was over 900 thought that it was lab error but it came back high on the repeated test as well . My own research led me to Prolia as a reason for the PTH and in the 6 months it decreased to 190 I did not take one again until I have more information. If this has been happening every 6 mos for 8 years I have to wonder if this was the cause of my sudden decline in kidney function .............

If anyone has had any similar issue please respond,! It is not a link easily made took a lot of looking at different research and articles I do believe this is something that should be mentioned in the Prolia literature but is not !!!!

@cares I have no experience with Prolia. I do have stage 3 kidney disease (I believe from taking NSAID) so have to watch what meds I am taking. I’m not dealing with liver issues from Tylenol.
I had some bad side effects from a med that were not listed in their literature. My doctor told me I could report my side effects to the FDA and help to get them included in that med literature. If you’d like to do that you can report online here: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm or you can call 1-800-332-1088. It’s a small thing but if everyone did that, those small things might result in big changes. Just a thought. Have a great day.

I meant to say I am dealing with liver issues from Tylenol.