How long do the side effects of Xgeva last?
Some of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Serious side effects from Xgeva aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects.
How does Xgeva work?
Xgeva binds to RANKL, a protein that is essential for the formation, function and survival of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for bone resorption. Xgeva inhibits osteoclast formation, function and survival thereby, decreasing bone resorption and increasing bone mass and strength of the bone.
What is the dose of Xgeva?
Xgeva comes in a single-dose vial with 120 mg/1.7mL of solution (liquid mixture). The recommended dose of Xgeva for multiple myeloma is 120 mg once every 4 weeks. A healthcare provider will give you Xgeva as an injection under your skin ( subcutaneous injection ). Possible injection spots are your upper arm, upper thigh, or belly.
Is Xgeva covered by health insurance?
Amgen Inc., the manufacturer of Xgeva, offers a program called Xgeva First Step for people who have health insurance coverage. For more information about this program, and to find out if you’re...
How long does Xgeva stay in the bone?
Xgeva reduced levels of the bone turnover marker, uNTx/Cr by 82% after one week in patients with breast cancer and bone metastases, and by 75% after five weeks in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.
What happens when you stop taking Xgeva?
Before you stop Xgeva treatment, it's important to talk with your doctor. If you stop receiving the drug, it's possible to develop hypercalcemia or bone fractures. To decrease your risk of these problems, your doctor may monitor your blood levels. (Too much calcium in your blood could harm your bones.)
What is the half life of Xgeva?
At steady state, the mean ± SD serum trough concentration was 20.5 ± 13.5 mcg/mL at the recommended Xgeva dose, and the mean elimination half-life was 28 days. A population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of demographic characteristics.
What does Xgeva do to your bones?
XGEVA® works to restore balance in your bones These signals tell the bone buildup cells to increase the signals they send to the bone breakdown cells. More signals to bone breakdown cells means that bone breakdown speeds up, which weakens bone and can lead to serious bone problems.
Does Xgeva weaken your immune system?
Denosumab can affect your immune system. You may be more likely to get a serious infection, such as a skin, ear, stomach/gut, or bladder infection.
Can bone metastases be cured?
Many different treatments can help if your cancer has spread to bone, commonly called bone metastasis or bone "mets." Treatment can't cure bone metastasis, but it can relieve pain, help prevent complications, and improve your quality of life.
Does Xgeva prevent metastasis?
Xgeva (denosumab) is a preventive medicine developed by Amgen to check the spread of cancer to the bones. It was approved by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first and only rank ligand inhibitor for the prevention of skeletal-related events (SREs) in patients with bone metastases from solid tumours in 2010.
How is denosumab eliminated?
Denosumab: Drug metabolism and elimination Based upon monoclonal antibody pharmacokinetics, denosumab is most likely cleared by the reticuloendothelial system with minimal renal filtration and excretion. The elimination half-life of denosumab is 32 days, and the terminal half-life is 5-10 days.
Does Xgeva affect teeth?
Yes, Xgeva can cause certain dental side effects. These side effects were common in studies of the drug. Specifically, Xgeva may cause osteonecrosis (death of bone cells) in the jaw. And dental problems are often early warning signs of this side effect.
Does Xgeva stop bone pain?
In women diagnosed with breast cancer that has spread to the bones, osteoclasts tend to be overactive. These overactive osteoclasts can cause bone pain and bone destruction. By limiting osteoclast activity, Xgeva can lessen pain and reduce the risk of bone problems for these women.
How much does a shot of Xgeva cost?
The cost for Xgeva subcutaneous solution (120 mg/1.7 mL) is around $2,787 for a supply of 1.7 milliliters, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans.
Is Xgeva a chemotherapy?
by Drugs.com Xgeva is not a chemotherapy drug. It is a targeted treatment, called a monoclonal antibody and is classified as a bone-modifying agent. Although it is not a chemotherapy drug it is often given with chemotherapy medicines. Xgeva works as a RANK ligand (RANKL) inhibitor.
Dosage summary
Below is a summary of the form, strength, and typical dosage of Xgeva. (For more details, see the “Xgeva dosage” section below.) Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Xgeva form
Xgeva comes as a solution in a single-dose vial. A healthcare professional administers it as a subcutaneous injection.
Xgeva strength
Xgeva comes in one strength of 120 milligrams (mg) per 1.7 milliliters (mL) of solution (120 mg/1.7 mL).
Typical dosage
The most common dosage frequency for Xgeva is a 120-mg injection every 4 weeks. However, you may receive additional doses during the first month of treatment, depending on your condition.
Long-term use
Xgeva is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Xgeva is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
How long does Xgeva stay in your system?
Xgeva starts working in your body after it’s injected. Its effects continue for about 4 weeks afterward. At that point, about half of the drug remains in your system. This is when you’ll usually receive the next dose to maintain the drug’s effect.
How long does it take for Xgeva to reach a steady level?
Xgeva concentrations reach a steady level within three to six months. Xgeva reduced levels of the bone turnover marker, uNTx/Cr by 82% after one week in patients with breast cancer and bone metastases, and by 75% after five weeks in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. 7. Interactions.
How long does Xgeva stay in the refrigerator?
Xgeva must be stored in the refrigerator until needed for use. The risk of fracture, including multiple vertebral fractures, increases when Xgeva is discontinued, and new vertebral fractures have been reported in as little as 7 months following discontinuation. The risk decreases to pretreatment values within 24 months.
How often is Xgeva given?
Xgeva is an injection that is administered every four weeks to prevent bone fractures in people with certain types of cancer or to lower calcium levels in people with high calcium levels caused by cancer. Side effects include back, muscle, and joint pain.
What medications interact with Xgeva?
Common medications that may interact with Xgeva include: calcimimetic agents such as cinacalcet. chemotherapy agents, such as cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, or bleomycin. corticosteroids (such as prednisone or dexamethasone) immunosuppressants (such as azathioprine, cyclosporine, or tacrolimus).
What is Xgeva used for?
Xgeva may be used to prevent bone fractures and other skeletal conditions in people with multiple myeloma and other types of cancer that have spread to the bone. May also be used in teenagers whose bone structure is fully mature and in adults to treat giant cell bone tumor.
Does Xgeva cause osteonecrosis?
Some people being administered Xgeva may require calcium and vitamin D supplements as well. Xgeva has been associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw. The risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw is greater in those who have received chemotherapy, radiation, or steroids.
Does Xgeva need to be reduced?
The dosage of Xgeva does not need to be reduced in people with kidney disease. 3. Downsides. If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:
Does Xgeva have a blood test?
Periodic blood work will be obtained to monitor the function of your organs (such as your kidneys and liver), as deemed necessary by your doctor.
Is Xgeva a bone modifying agent?
Xgeva is a monoclonal antibody that works as a RANK ligand (RANKL) inhibitor. This medication is classified as a "bone-modifying agent". (For more detail see "How denosumab works" section below).
How often should I take Xgeva?
Dosage for hypercalcemia caused by cancer. The recommended dose of Xgeva for hypercalcemia caused by cancer is 120 mg once every 4 weeks. A healthcare provider will give you Xgeva as an injection under your skin. Possible injection spots are your upper arm, upper thigh, or belly.
How much Xgeva is in a vial?
You’ll go to a clinic or your doctor’s office for your injections. The drug comes in a single-dose vial with 120 mg/1.7 mL of solution (liquid mixture).
How many mg of Zometa is given?
a single-use vial that contains 4 mg/5 mL of the drug. For hypercalcemia related to cancer, Zometa is given as a single dose of 4 mg. If needed, a second dose can be given after at least 7 days. For multiple myeloma and bone metastasis from solid tumors, Zometa is given at a dose of 4 mg every 3 to 4 weeks.
Why is Xgeva approved?
Xgeva is approved to help prevent broken bones in people with bone metastasis from solid tumors. Bone metastasis occurs when cancer spreads to your bones. And a solid tumor is a lump of tissue that forms when cells grow too quickly. It’s solid because it doesn’t contain liquid.
What is Xgeva used for?
Xgeva is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s used to help prevent and treat several types of bone problems. Xgeva contains denosumab. This is a kind of biologic (a drug created from parts of living organisms) called a monoclonal antibody.
How long does Zometa last?
This is an injection into your vein that’s given over a period of time. This infusion should last at least 15 minutes. The drug comes in two forms:
Can Xgeva cause allergic reactions?
As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Xgeva, but this is rare. It’s not known how often people using Xgeva have allergic reactions. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:
Does Xgeva cause dental side effects?
Yes, Xgeva can cause certain dental side effects. These side effects were common in studies of the drug.
What are some of the long-term side effects of Xgeva?
Xgeva may cause certain long-term side effects. For example, using Xgeva can lead to broken bones and osteonecrosis (death of bone cells) in the jaw. These conditions can cause complications that are long term. (To learn more about osteonecrosis, see the “Side effects explained” section below.)
Osteonecrosis of the jaw
Osteonecrosis (death of bone cells) in the jaw is a common side effect of Xgeva.
Back pain
Back pain is a common side effect of Xgeva. But back pain can also be a symptom of a more serious side effect of Xgeva, such as broken back bones.
Respiratory side effects
Respiratory side effects, which affect breathing, are common with Xgeva. Examples include:
Changes in the level of calcium in your blood
Xgeva may cause the calcium level in your blood to be lower or higher than usual.
Allergic reaction
Like most drugs, Xgeva can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.
How It Works
Upsides
Downsides
- If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: 1. Back pain, constipation, muscle pain, pain in the hands or feet, high cholesterol levels, nasal congestion, and bladder infections (in women) are the most common side effects reported with Xgeva. 2. Xgeva may exa…
Bottom Line
- Xgeva is an injection that is administered every four weeks to prevent bone fractures in people with certain types of cancer or to lower calcium levels in people with high calcium levels caused by cancer. Side effects include back, muscle, and joint pain.
Tips
- Xgeva is usually given every four weeks. Make sure you keep your scheduled appointments with your healthcare provider.
- Extra supplements may need to be taken with Xgeva. Make sure you take your supplements as directed and talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure about what supplements to take.
- Xgeva is usually given every four weeks. Make sure you keep your scheduled appointments with your healthcare provider.
- Extra supplements may need to be taken with Xgeva. Make sure you take your supplements as directed and talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure about what supplements to take.
- Make sure you have a dental check-up before you start Xgeva. Talk to both your dentist and doctor if you require dental surgery or tooth extraction and you have been administered Xgeva. Keep good o...
- Talk to your doctor or seek urgent medical attention (if severe) if you experience symptoms such as dizziness on standing or fainting, shortness of breath, facial and throat tightness, or …
Response and Effectiveness
- Xgeva concentrations reach a steady level within three to six months.
- Xgeva reduced levels of the bone turnover marker, uNTx/Cr by 82% after one week in patients with breast cancer and bone metastases, and by 75% after five weeks in patients with newly diagnosed mult...
Interactions
- Medicines that interact with Xgeva may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works for, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with Xgeva. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be mana…
Further Information
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Xgeva only for the indication prescribed. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Copyright 1996-2022 Drugs.com. Revision date: February 16, 2022. Medical Disc…