Understanding Evenity Prescribing Information: Benefits and Side Effects
As people age, their bones become weaker, and conditions such as osteoporosis become more prevalent. In the United States alone, approximately 10 million people have osteoporosis, while another 44 million have low bone density. To combat this, medications such as bisphosphonates have been developed, but they may not work for everyone. Evenity is a new medication that has been proven to be more effective than its counterparts. In this article, we’ll explore what Evenity is, how it works, and the benefits and side effects associated with its use.
What is Evenity?
Evenity is a medication used to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women who are at high risk of bone fractures. It contains the active ingredient romosozumab, a monoclonal antibody that works by stimulating bone formation while simultaneously decreasing bone resorption. This combination of actions makes Evenity a unique medication for osteoporosis treatment.
How does it work?
As previously mentioned, Evenity works by stimulating bone formation while simultaneously decreasing bone resorption. Bone is continuously broken down and replaced in the body, a process called bone remodeling. As people age, this process becomes imbalanced, and bone resorption overtakes the formation of new bone. Evenity works by inhibiting a protein that prevents the formation of new bone and activating a protein that stimulates bone formation.
Major Benefits of Using Evenity
Evenity has been proven to be more effective than bisphosphonates, a class of drugs that have been used for decades to treat osteoporosis. In two clinical trials, Evenity reduced the risk of vertebral fractures by 73% and 50%, respectively, when compared to a placebo. It also increased bone mineral density more than bisphosphonates.
Additionally, the treatment course for Evenity is shorter than bisphosphonates’ treatment course. Evenity is given as a subcutaneous injection once a month for 12 months, while bisphosphonates are given orally or intravenously for three to five years.
Possible Side Effects of Evenity
Like with any medication, there are possible side effects associated with Evenity. One of the most concerning is the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death. In clinical trials, there were six cardiovascular deaths in the Evenity group and one in the placebo group. While these events are rare, they should be taken into consideration when deciding to use Evenity.
Other common side effects of Evenity include joint pain and headache.
Conclusion
Understanding Evenity prescribing information is crucial for anyone who is at high risk of developing osteoporosis. Evenity has proven to be more effective than bisphosphonates with a shorter treatment course. However, as with any medication, there are possible side effects that should be taken into consideration. Consulting with a healthcare provider is essential when deciding to use Evenity for osteoporosis treatment.
