Like all medicines, denosumab can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.
Problems with your jaw
Denosumab can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw. This is a problem with your jaw that can be caused by delayed healing in your mouth after some dental procedures. This is quite rare. To reduce the risk of this problem, it is best to:
- maintain good hygiene and care of your teeth and mouth (such as brushing your teeth twice a day and regular flossing between your teeth)
- have regular dental check-ups
- let your dentist know that you are taking denosumab
- talk to your doctor or dentist if you have any loose teeth, tooth pain or swelling or numbness in your jaw.
Fractures
Denosumab can rarely cause fractures in your thigh bone (upper leg bone). These are called atypical fractures because they appear as cracks on the bone and are not usually related to an injury. If you have pain, weakness or discomfort in your thigh, hip or groin, tell your doctor. These pains may be warnings that there is some weakness in your bones. You may need x-rays of both your legs.
If you stop treatment with this medicine, bone loss occurs, and there is a small chance that you may experience broken bones in your spine. If you wish to stop taking this medicine, talk to your doctor about your treatment options.
Other possible side effects
| Side effects |
What should I do? |
- Signs of infection such as fever, chills, cough that won't go away, skin that looks red or swollen and is hot or tender to touch
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- Denosumab can increase your risk of getting infections, such as chest infections and skin infections.
- Tell your doctor immediately or phone HealthLine 0800 611 116.
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- Signs of low calcium such as spasms, twitches or cramps in your muscles, numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes or around your mouth
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- Tell your doctor immediately or phone HealthLine 0800 611 116.
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- Signs of an allergic reaction such as muscle or joint pain, fever, rash, intense itching, swelling of your face or hands, sore throat, headache or difficulty swallowing
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- Tell your doctor immediately or phone HealthLine 0800 611 116.
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| Did you know that you can report a side effect to a medicine to CARM (Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring)? Report a side effect to a product(external link) |
