Ask the doctor: Why would I need Prolia?

Ask the doctor

Q. I'm in my 70s. Over the past 20 years I've broken several bones, including a hip. I've taken alendronate but continue to lose bone density. My doctor wants to give me Prolia . What is it?

A. Prolia is a brand name of denosumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to receptors on osteoclasts (cells that break down bone in the rebuilding process) to keep them from developing properly. As a result, bone breakdown slows, increasing bone density.

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