Symptomatic hypocalcaemia on denosumab use
Baptista Lopes, V.; Robbrecht, D.; van Thiel, S.; van Guldener, C.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 157(29): A6159
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 1876-8784 PMID: 23859106 Document Number: 666246
Bone resorption inhibitors such as denosumab may induce symptomatic hypocalcaemia if a vitamin D deficiency is present. Amongst other causes, this type of deficiency may arise following bariatric surgery. We describe a 51-year-old woman who, a few years after undergoing bariatric surgery, developed symptomatic hypocalcaemia after she started taking denosumab. An adequate calcium and vitamin D status is a general condition before prescribing medication to treat osteoporosis. Therefore we recommend that before starting treatment with a bone resorption inhibitor that not only the calcium but also the vitamin D status should be determined, and if necessary, optimised.