ESENTRA 120MG INJECTION

Introduction:

Esentra 120mg Injection contains Denosumab. It is used to treat osteoporosis (thinning and weakening of bone). It is not recommended for adolescents and children under 18 years of age. This medicine should not be taken if your blood calcium is too low. You should also take vitamin D and calcium supplements while being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will discuss this with you. 

Talk to your doctor if you have had a thyroid or parathyroid surgery (glands located in the neck), kidney problems, kidney dialysis, malabsorption syndrome (trouble absorbing minerals in your stomach or intestines), or planned to have dental surgery or teeth removed before taking Esentra 120mg Injection.

Use effective birth control during the treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose. Take good care of teeth and gums while you receive Esentra 120mg Injection. 

Uses of Esentra 120mg Injection:

Esentra 120mg Injection is used to treat osteoporosis in:

• Postmenopausal women (resulting from low levels of estrogen)
• Men (resulting from a reduction in testosterone caused by surgery or prostate cancer treatment)
• Patients who have an increased risk of fracture due to long term treatment with glucocorticoids
• Women (resulting from breast cancer treatments)

How Esentra 120mg Injection works:

It decreases the bone resorption (the process by which osteoclasts break the tissue in bones and release minerals, calcium into the blood) by inhibiting osteoclast formation and function and increases bone mass and strength.

Interactions with other drugs:

Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking or have taken before the treatment.

More information:

• Keep Esentra 120mg Injection out of sight and reach of children.
• Store in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C.

References:

1. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Agents affecting mineral ion homeostasis and bone turnover, 12th edition, 2011, 1299.
2. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Drugs affecting calcium balance, 7th edition, 2013, 346.
3. Amgen Inc, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Revised on March 2020] [ Accessed on 6th July 2021], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/125320s205lbl.pdf
4. Amgen Limited, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [ Revised on June 2021] [ Accessed on 6th July 2021], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.568.pdf

How to use Esentra 120mg Injection:

It will be given to you by a doctor or nurse. You will receive Esentra 120mg Injection 1 time every 6 months. You should also take vitamin D and calcium supplements while being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will discuss this with you. 

Safety advice:

Pregnancy:

You should not take Esentra 120mg Injection if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant before taking this medicine.

Breastfeeding:

Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking Esentra 120mg Injection.

Kidney:

You need to tell your doctor if you have any kidney disorders or if you are on dialysis before taking Esentra 120mg Injection, as it may increase your risk of getting low blood calcium.

Others:

• Take good care of gums and teeth while you receive Esentra 120mg Injection. Inform your dentist that you are receiving this medicine before you have dental work.
• Inform your doctor if your blood calcium is too low.

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all medicines cause side effects, not everyone gets them.

Common:

• Arm or leg pain
• Joint, muscle, or bone pain which is sometimes severe
• Frequent or painful urination, blood in urine, inability to hold urine
• Constipation, abdominal discomfort
• Hair loss
• Itching, redness, or dryness in skin
• Tingling, pain, or numbness that moves down your leg
• Upper respiratory tract infection