Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Evenity

Descriptions


Romosozumab-aqqg injection is used to treat osteoporosis (thinning and weakening of the bones) in postmenopausal women who are at high risk of fracture (history of osteoporotic fracture) or have used another osteoporosis medicine that did not work well.

This medicine to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Solution

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of romosozumab-aqqg injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of romosozumab-aqqg injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of this medicine than younger adults.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Anemia or
  • Blood clotting problems or
  • Cancer or
  • Dental disease or infection or
  • Poor oral hygiene—Use with caution. May increase risk for serious jaw problems (eg, osteonecrosis of the jaw).
  • Heart attack within the last year or
  • Hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in the blood) or
  • Stroke within the last year—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
  • Kidney disease, severe or
  • Patients receiving dialysis—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of the slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a medical facility. It is given as a shot under the skin of your stomach, thighs, or outer area of the upper arms.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Your doctor will give you calcium and vitamin D supplements while you are receiving this medicine to prevent unwanted effects.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort, nausea or vomiting, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck, slurred speech, or weakness.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving this medicine.

This medicine may cause hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in the blood). Low blood calcium must be corrected before you receive this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have stomach cramps, confusion, seizures, difficulty in breathing, irregular heartbeat, mood or mental changes, muscle cramps, numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet, or tremors.

It is important that you tell all of your doctors that you are receiving romosozumab-aqqg injection, including your dentist. If you are having dental procedures while receiving this medicine, you may have an increased chance of having a severe problem with your jaw. Make sure you tell your doctor or dentist about any new problems, such as pain or swelling, with your teeth or jaw.

Make sure you tell your doctor about any new medical problems, especially with your teeth or jaws. Tell your doctor if you have severe muscle, bone, or joint pain after receiving this medicine.

This medicine may increase your risk of developing fractures of the thigh bone. This may be more common if you use it for a long time. Check with your doctor right away if you have a dull or aching pain in the thighs, groin, or hips.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription (eg, other medicines that also contain zoledronic acid) or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

  1. Fast heartbeat
  2. fever
  3. hives, itching, skin rash
  4. hoarseness
  5. irritation
  6. joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
  7. redness of the skin
  8. swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
  9. tightness in the chest
  10. troubled breathing or swallowing

Less common

  1. Large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
  2. rapid weight gain
  3. tingling of the hands or feet
  4. unusual weight gain or loss

Rare

  1. Chest pain or discomfort
  2. confusion
  3. difficulty in breathing
  4. difficulty in speaking
  5. double vision
  6. headache
  7. heavy jaw feeling
  8. inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
  9. inability to speak
  10. irregular heartbeat
  11. limp
  12. loosening of a tooth
  13. mood or mental changes
  14. muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
  15. nausea
  16. numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
  17. pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
  18. pain, swelling, or numbness in the mouth or jaw
  19. pain, swelling, tenderness, and bruising in your thigh
  20. seizures
  21. slow speech
  22. stomach cramps
  23. sweating
  24. tremor
  25. vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  1. Difficulty in moving
  2. muscle pain or stiffness

Less common

  1. Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
  2. lack or loss of strength
  3. trouble sleeping

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/drugs-supplements/romosozumab-aqqg-subcutaneous-route/description/drg-20461345