Dosage & Administration
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Prolia Prescribing Information
- Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2), 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)].
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)].
Treatment to Increase Bone Mass in Men with Osteoporosis
Prolia is indicated for treatment to increase bone mass in men 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 [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].
Treatment of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
Prolia is indicated for the treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women at high risk of fracture who are either initiating or continuing systemic glucocorticoids in a daily dosage equivalent to 7.5 mg or greater of prednisone and expected to remain on glucocorticoids for at least 6 months. High risk of fracture is defined as a history of osteoporotic fracture, multiple risk factors for fracture, or patients who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy [see Clinical Studies (14.3)].
Treatment of Bone Loss in Men Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Prolia is indicated as a treatment to increase bone mass in men at high risk for fracture receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for nonmetastatic prostate cancer. In these patients Prolia also reduced the incidence of vertebral fractures [see Clinical Studies (14.4)].
Treatment of Bone Loss in Women Receiving Adjuvant Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy for Breast Cancer
Prolia is indicated as a treatment to increase bone mass in women at high risk for fracture receiving adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy for breast cancer [see Clinical Studies (14.5)].
Pregnancy Testing Prior to Initiation of Prolia
Pregnancy must be ruled out prior to administration of Prolia. Perform pregnancy testing in all females of reproductive potential prior to administration of Prolia. Based on findings in animals, Prolia can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)].
Laboratory Testing in Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Prior to Initiation of Prolia
In patients with advanced chronic kidney disease [i.e., estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2], including dialysis-dependent patients, evaluate for the presence of chronic kidney disease mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) with intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), serum calcium, 25(OH) vitamin D, and 1,25 (OH)2 vitamin D prior to decisions regarding Prolia treatment. Consider also assessing bone turnover status (serum markers of bone turnover or bone biopsy) to evaluate the underlying bone disease that may be present [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Recommended Dosage
Prolia should be administered by a healthcare professional.
The recommended dose of Prolia is 60 mg administered as a single subcutaneous injection once every 6 months. Administer Prolia via subcutaneous injection in the upper arm, the upper thigh, or the abdomen. All patients should receive calcium 1000 mg daily and at least 400 IU vitamin D daily [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
If a dose of Prolia is missed, administer the injection as soon as the patient is available. Thereafter, schedule injections every 6 months from the date of the last injection.
Preparation and Administration
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit. Prolia is a clear, colorless to pale yellow solution that may contain trace amounts of translucent to white proteinaceous particles. Do not use if the solution is discolored or cloudy or if the solution contains many particles or foreign particulate matter.
Prior to administration, Prolia may be removed from the refrigerator and brought to room temperature (up to 25°C/77°F) by standing in the original container. This generally takes 15 to 30 minutes. Do not warm Prolia in any other way [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16)].
Instructions for Administration of Prolia Prefilled Syringe with Needle Safety Guard
IMPORTANT: In order to minimize accidental needlesticks, the Prolia single-dose prefilled syringe will have a green safety guard; manually activate the safety guard after the injection is given.
DO NOT slide the green safety guard forward over the needle before administering the injection; it will lock in place and prevent injection.
Activate the green safety guard (slide over the needle) after the injection.
Step 1: Remove Gray Needle Cap
| Remove needle cap. |  |
Step 2: Administer Subcutaneous Injection
| Choose an injection site. The recommended injection sites for Prolia include: the upper arm OR the upper thigh OR the abdomen. |  | |
 |
| Insert needle and inject all the liquid subcutaneously. Do not administer into muscle or blood vessel. |  |
DO NOT put gray needle cap back on needle.
Step 3: Immediately Slide Green Safety Guard Over Needle
With the needle pointing away from you.
Hold the prefilled syringe by the clear finger grip with one hand. Then, with the other hand, grasp the green safety guard by its base and gently slide it towards the needle until the green safety guard locks securely in place and/or you hear a "click". DO NOT grip the green safety guard too firmly - it will move easily if you hold and slide it gently.
| Hold clear finger grip. |  | |
| Gently slide green safety guard over needle and lock securely in place. Do not grip green safety guard too firmly when sliding over needle. |  |
Immediately dispose of the syringe and needle cap in the nearest sharps container. DO NOT put the needle cap back on the used syringe.
- Injection: 1 mL of a 60 mg/mL clear, colorless to pale yellow denosumab solution in a single-dose prefilled syringe.
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Prolia is contraindicated for use in pregnant women because it may cause harm to a fetus. There are insufficient data with denosumab use in pregnant women to inform any drug-associated risks for adverse developmental outcomes. In utero denosumab exposure from cynomolgus monkeys dosed monthly with denosumab throughout pregnancy at a dose 50-fold higher than the recommended human dose based on body weight resulted in increased fetal loss, stillbirths, and postnatal mortality, and absent lymph nodes, abnormal bone growth, and decreased neonatal growth [see Data].
Data
Animal Data
The effects of denosumab on prenatal development have been studied in both cynomolgus monkeys and genetically engineered mice in which RANK ligand (RANKL) expression was turned off by gene removal (a "knockout mouse"). In cynomolgus monkeys dosed subcutaneously with denosumab throughout pregnancy starting at gestational day 20 and at a pharmacologically active dose 50-fold higher than the recommended human dose based on body weight, there was increased fetal loss during gestation, stillbirths, and postnatal mortality. Other findings in offspring included absence of axillary, inguinal, mandibular, and mesenteric lymph nodes; abnormal bone growth, reduced bone strength, reduced hematopoiesis, dental dysplasia, and tooth malalignment; and decreased neonatal growth. At birth out to 1 month of age, infants had measurable blood levels of denosumab (22-621% of maternal levels).
Following a recovery period from birth out to 6 months of age, the effects on bone quality and strength returned to normal; there were no adverse effects on tooth eruption, though dental dysplasia was still apparent; axillary and inguinal lymph nodes remained absent, while mandibular and mesenteric lymph nodes were present, though small; and minimal to moderate mineralization in multiple tissues was seen in one recovery animal. There was no evidence of maternal harm prior to labor; adverse maternal effects occurred infrequently during labor. Maternal mammary gland development was normal. There was no fetal NOAEL (no observable adverse effect level) established for this study because only one dose of 50 mg/kg was evaluated. Mammary gland histopathology at 6 months of age was normal in female offspring exposed to denosumab in utero; however, development and lactation have not been fully evaluated.
In RANKL knockout mice, absence of RANKL (the target of denosumab) also caused fetal lymph node agenesis and led to postnatal impairment of dentition and bone growth. Pregnant RANKL knockout mice showed altered maturation of the maternal mammary gland, leading to impaired lactation [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2), Nonclinical Toxicology (13.2)].
The no effect dose for denosumab-induced teratogenicity is unknown. However, a Cmax of 22.9 ng/mL was identified in cynomolgus monkeys as a level in which no biologic effects (NOEL) of denosumab were observed (no inhibition of RANKL) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Lactation
Risk Summary
There is no information regarding the presence of denosumab in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Denosumab was detected in the maternal milk of cynomolgus monkeys up to 1 month after the last dose of denosumab (≤ 0.5% milk:serum ratio) and maternal mammary gland development was normal, with no impaired lactation. However, pregnant RANKL knockout mice showed altered maturation of the maternal mammary gland, leading to impaired lactation [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1), Nonclinical Toxicology (13.2)].
Females and Males of Reproductive Potential
Based on findings in animals, Prolia can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].
Pregnancy Testing
Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating Prolia treatment.
Contraception
Females
Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during therapy, and for at least 5 months after the last dose of Prolia.
Males
Denosumab was present at low concentrations (approximately 2% of serum exposure) in the seminal fluid of male subjects given Prolia. Following vaginal intercourse, the maximum amount of denosumab delivered to a female partner would result in exposures approximately 11000 times lower than the prescribed 60 mg subcutaneous dose, and at least 38 times lower than the NOEL in monkeys.
Therefore, male condom use would not be necessary as it is unlikely that a female partner or fetus would be exposed to pharmacologically relevant concentrations of denosumab via seminal fluid [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of Prolia have not been established in pediatric patients.
In one multicenter, open-label study conducted in 153 pediatric patients with osteogenesis imperfecta, aged 2 to 17 years, evaluating fracture risk reduction, efficacy was not established.
Hypercalcemia has been reported in pediatric patients with osteogenesis imperfecta treated with denosumab products, including Prolia. Some cases required hospitalization and were complicated by acute renal injury [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11)]. Clinical studies in pediatric patients with osteogenesis imperfecta were terminated early due to the occurrence of life-threatening events and hospitalizations due to hypercalcemia.
Based on results from animal studies, Prolia may negatively affect long-bone growth and dentition in pediatric patients below the age of 4 years.
Juvenile Animal Toxicity Data
Treatment with Prolia may impair long-bone growth in children with open growth plates and may inhibit eruption of dentition. In neonatal rats, inhibition of RANKL (the target of Prolia therapy) with a construct of osteoprotegerin bound to Fc (OPG-Fc) at doses ≤ 10 mg/kg was associated with inhibition of bone growth and tooth eruption. Adolescent primates treated with denosumab at doses 10 and 50 times (10 and 50 mg/kg dose) higher than the recommended human dose of 60 mg administered every 6 months, based on body weight (mg/kg), had abnormal growth plates, considered to be consistent with the pharmacological activity of denosumab [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.2)].
Cynomolgus monkeys exposed in utero to denosumab exhibited bone abnormalities, an absence of axillary, inguinal, mandibular, and mesenteric lymph nodes, reduced hematopoiesis, tooth malalignment, and decreased neonatal growth. Some bone abnormalities recovered once exposure was ceased following birth; however, axillary, and inguinal lymph nodes remained absent 6 months post-birth [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].
Geriatric Use
Of the total number of patients in clinical studies of Prolia, 9943 patients (76%) were ≥ 65 years old, while 3576 (27%) were ≥ 75 years old. Of the patients in the osteoporosis study in men, 133 patients (55%) were ≥ 65 years old, while 39 patients (16%) were ≥ 75 years old. Of the patients in the glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis study, 355 patients (47%) were ≥ 65 years old, while 132 patients (17%) were ≥ 75 years old. No overall differences in safety or efficacy were observed between these patients and younger patients, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.
Renal Impairment
No dose adjustment is necessary in patients with renal impairment.
Severe hypocalcemia resulting in hospitalization, life-threatening events and fatal cases have been reported postmarketing. In clinical studies, patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (i.e., eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2), including dialysis-dependent patients, were at greater risk of developing hypocalcemia. The presence of underlying chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD, renal osteodystrophy) markedly increases the risk of hypocalcemia. Concomitant use of calcimimetic drugs may also worsen hypocalcemia risk. Consider the benefits and risks to the patient when administering Prolia to patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. Monitor calcium and mineral levels (phosphorus and magnesium). Adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D is important in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease including dialysis-dependent patients [see Dosage and Administration (2.2), Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Adverse Reactions (6.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
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), Adverse Reactions (6.2)].