Evenity: A New Treatment for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that decreases bone mass and makes bones more brittle. One of the newer medications prescribed to treat osteoporosis is Evenity (romosozumab-aqqg). Unlike antiresorptives, which slow down the bone-removing process that causes bones to weaken, Evenity builds new bone, thereby reducing the risk of a spinal fracture.

Doctors prescribe Evenity to postmenopausal women whose risk for bone fracture is high and for whom other osteoporosis therapies have not worked. The failure of other osteoporosis therapies could be from their ineffectiveness or intolerance from the patient, often due to side effects.

Evenity Dosage

Evenity gets administered by injection by a healthcare professional. You should never attempt to self-administer Evenity at home. A single dosage involves two separate injections, each containing 105 mg, a total of 210 mg. Your healthcare provider (HCP) will give you the injections one right after the other. The injections should occur once a month subcutaneously in either the abdomen, upper arm, or thigh. Ideally, your HCP should use a different injection site for each syringe. Do not administer Evenity into the blood vessel or muscle.

Treatment duration should last no longer than 12 months, when Evenity begins to lose its anabolic effect. During treatment, your doctor will typically prescribe calcium and vitamin D supplements for you.

Evenity Side Effects and Interactions

The use of Evenity can cause side effects in some patients. The most common are not severe and include headaches and joint pain.

Other side effects of Evenity can be serious. The most serious is the potential risk for a heart attack or stroke, possibly leading to cardiovascular death. If you have had a heart attack or stroke in the past year, you should not take Evenity. If you have other cardiovascular issues, you should weigh the benefits versus the risks by consulting with your doctor before taking this medication.

Some patients may experience a severe allergic reaction to the medication, indicated by hives, rash, and swelling on the face, mouth, lips, tongue, or throat. Typically, these occur shortly after getting the injections. Given that any severe allergic reaction may lead to trouble breathing and swallowing, you should go to the closest emergency room and contact your HCP immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Hypocalcemia, or low blood calcium levels, is another severe side effect of Evenity experienced by some patients. Symptoms of these reactions can include muscle twitches, spasms, or cramps. Additionally, they may involve tingling or numbness around the mouth, fingers, and toes. If you have existing hypocalcemia, your doctor should correct it before you initiate Evenity treatment.

Osteonecrosis or severe jawbone issues may also result from taking Evenity. Before Evenity treatment begins, your dentist should evaluate you to ensure this is the right option and complete any pending dental work.

Lastly, patients may experience unusual bone fractures in the thighs from taking Evenity. New pain or discomfort in the thighs, hips, or groin are symptoms of this type of fracture.

If you have a history of adverse reactions to romosozumab (the main ingredient of Evenity) or any of its components, you should not take Evenity.

Osteoporosis can massively diminish a person’s quality of life thanks to increased bone fractures, increased overall pain, and decreased physical and social function. For these reasons, the benefits of the medication sometimes outweigh the potential side effects. You should discuss this thoroughly with your doctor before making any decisions about the use of Evenity.

Lowering the Cost of Evenity

Without insurance, the cost of Evenity is no laughing matter. Typically, a monthly supply of two syringes costs upward of $2,000. While the price can vary slightly across the country, expecting this amount could help to ease the blow. Unfortunately, you cannot fill this prescription in a regular pharmacy. Your doctor, hospital, or clinic will need to provide this medication.

Many programs exist to help you get a reduced cost on your medications. Eligibility is often based on income, insurance or Medicare status, and other factors.

For other medications, you may take, check the prices at ScriptSave^® WellRx. ScriptSave works with participating pharmacies to offer lower prices when you download a savings card on their website or app. Depending on what you need, their coupons for medication could save you up to 80 percent. Using ScriptSave can save you up to 80% compared to standard pharmacy prices without a prescription drug card.

Dr. Diana Rangaves, Google Scholar, holds a Doctorate from the University of California. As a clinical pharmacist and writer, she has extensive experience and expertise in all levels of content creation, leadership, health, fintech, and business sectors. A published author, she writes for numerous print and online outlets. Diana lives in California with her dogs and pasture pets, in their forever home.

References:

• https://www.evenity.com/
• https://www.wellrx.com/health-conditions/about/health-condition/osteoporosis/vitamins-and-supplements/
• https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/761062s000lbl.pdf 
• https://www.wellrx.com/