The Efficacy and Side Effects of Denosumab

Denosumab usually refers to denosumab injection. The drug's common effects include preventing fractures, increasing bone density, promoting bone health, treating diseases, and improving arthritis symptoms. Possible side effects include fatigue and weakness, increased risk of infection, hypocalcemia, allergic reactions, and osteonecrosis of the jaw.

I. Effects

1. Prevention of fractures: This medication reduces bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclast activity, thereby increasing bone density, enhancing skeletal stability, and lowering the risk of vertebral, non-vertebral, and hip fractures.

2. Increase in bone density: The drug increases bone density in the lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck, helping to maintain the integrity and stability of the skeletal structure. It improves bone quality, making bones stronger and reducing various problems caused by low bone density.

3. Promotion of bone health: By inhibiting osteoclast activation and bone resorption, this medication helps increase bone density and maintain bone health. It can prevent bone loss caused by aging, hormonal changes, and other factors, keeping bones in a relatively healthy state.

4. Treatment of diseases: The drug is effective in treating bone-destructive diseases such as bone metastases from solid tumors and multiple myeloma. It can also serve as an effective treatment by inhibiting bone destruction around the tumor and improving the patient's condition.

5. Improvement of arthritis symptoms: This medication can also reduce pain and joint damage in arthritis patients, improving their quality of life. By improving bone quality and structure, it can alleviate wear and damage to the bone around the joints to a certain extent.

II. Side Effects

1. Fatigue and weakness: The drug affects certain physiological processes in the body, leading to changes in energy metabolism or neuromuscular function. Patients may experience fatigue and weakness after taking the medication.

2. Increased risk of infection: Denosumab injection may affect immune system function. While inhibiting osteoclast activity, it may interfere with the body's immune regulation, reducing the ability to resist external pathogens and increasing the risk of infection.

3. Hypocalcemia: Hypocalcemia may occur after administration, leading to symptoms such as hand and foot cramps and numbness in the limbs. Reduced release of calcium from bones and insufficient replenishment of calcium in the blood disrupts the balance of blood calcium levels.

4. Allergic reactions: Individuals with allergies may develop symptoms such as rashes and swelling after taking the medication. Once allergic reactions occur, the drug should be discontinued immediately, and appropriate anti-allergy treatment should be administered.

5. Osteonecrosis of the jaw: A serious adverse reaction, although its incidence is low. The drug's inhibitory effect on osteoclasts affects the normal repair and regeneration process of the jawbone. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is more likely to occur in cases of local oral infection or tooth extraction.

It is recommended to use denosumab injection under the guidance of a physician; do not take the medication arbitrarily. Maintain a light diet and avoid consuming spicy and irritating foods such as garlic, hot pot, and mustard. Also, ensure adequate rest and avoid excessive fatigue.