Prolia (denosumab)
How this therapy is used at Arthritis Care of Texas in Corpus Christi, TX — what it treats, how it is given, and how often.
- Treats
- Osteoporosis
- How given
- Injection under the skin, in our office
- How often
- Once every 6 months
Prolia is a damage-protecting treatment: it slows bone breakdown so density rises and fracture risk falls — success measured on DEXA scans over 1–3 years and by staying fracture-free. You will not feel it working, and it does not treat pain. Its protection depends entirely on the every-6-month schedule: a late dose lets bone loss speed up again.
What it is: A bone-protecting medicine for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, men, and people on long-term steroid therapy who are at high risk of fracture. It blocks RANK ligand, a signal that tells the body to break down bone. With that signal blocked, bone breakdown slows while bone formation continues, which increases bone density and reduces the risk of spine, hip, and other fractures. It does not just relieve symptoms — it changes the balance of bone turnover in your favour, and it keeps working only while doses stay on schedule.
Before starting: We check your blood calcium and vitamin D before each dose, and correct any low levels first. This matters because Prolia can lower blood calcium, and starting with healthy levels prevents problems such as muscle cramps or spasms. Good dental care also matters: tell your dentist you receive Prolia, have routine dental work kept up to date, and mention any planned tooth extractions to us — dental health and jaw health are linked, and planning ahead keeps both safe. Tell us if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy; Prolia is not used in pregnancy.
How it's given: A single injection under the skin, given by our clinic team once every six months. Because each dose works on a six-month schedule, keeping your appointment matters — the bone-protecting effect wears off on schedule, and if a dose is delayed by more than about a month, bone breakdown can speed up again. If a change in treatment is ever needed, your provider will plan the timing with you and usually arrange a follow-on medicine, so the bone you have gained is not lost.
What to expect: You will not feel Prolia working — success shows on your DEXA scan as density improves over the first 1–3 years, and in the outcome that matters most: avoiding fractures. The most common side effects are back pain, pain in the arms or legs, muscle aches, raised cholesterol readings, and bladder infections. Skin infections occasionally occur — report spreading redness or warmth of the skin. Low calcium symptoms (numbness or tingling around the mouth or in the fingers, muscle cramps or spasms) are uncommon if levels are checked and corrected, but report them promptly if they occur.
Everyday guidance: Take calcium and vitamin D exactly as your provider directs — the medicine works with them, not instead of them. Mark your next 6-month appointment before you leave the office, and call us immediately if you realise an appointment has been missed, so it can be rescheduled quickly. Do not stop Prolia on your own: stopping without a follow-on plan can lead to rapid bone loss, so any change is planned together. Keep up dental check-ups, weight-bearing exercise, and fall prevention at home. Questions: call (361) 400-7700.
Bone density testing: Treatment is guided by bone-density results. Our in-house DEXA scan — a quick, painless scan done right here in our Corpus Christi office — measures bone density to diagnose osteoporosis and track your bone health over time.
Used for Osteoporosis
Common worries
What if I’m a few months late for my shot?
Call us as soon as you realise — this is the one bone medicine where timing really matters. If a dose is missed by more than about a month, bone breakdown can rebound; we will reschedule urgently and, if needed, plan a bridging treatment.
Can I just stop it after a few years?
Not safely on your own. Stopping without a follow-on medicine can cause rapid bone loss and spine fractures in some patients. If you want to change treatment, we plan the handover together so nothing is lost.
Why do I need calcium checked before every dose?
Prolia can lower blood calcium, so we confirm your level is healthy — and vitamin D adequate — before each injection. That check is what keeps the treatment comfortable and safe.
Ready to be seen? New patients are seen within 2–4 weeks.