Evenity (romosozumab-aqqg) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat osteoporosis. Evenity can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include headache and joint pain.

Evenity is used to treat osteoporosis in females* who’ve gone through menopause. It’s used when other treatments haven’t worked or aren’t well tolerated. Evenity is also used in postmenopausal females who are at high risk of bone fractures.

The active ingredient in Evenity is romosozumab-aqqg.† (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) It comes as a liquid solution in a prefilled syringe for injection under the skin.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Evenity can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

* In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth. To learn more about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.
† The reason “-aqqg” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to show that this drug is distinct from similar medications that may be created in the future.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Evenity treatment. Examples of this drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Mild side effects have been reported with Evenity. These include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop Evenity treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

Evenity may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Serious side effects have been reported with Evenity. These include:

* To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

If you develop serious side effects with Evenity, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Evenity, visit MedWatch.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Evenity’s side effects.

How do side effects of Evenity compare with those of Prolia?

Both Evenity and Prolia are used to treat osteoporosis in females* who’ve gone through menopause and have a high risk of bone fractures. Prolia is also approved to treat osteoporosis from other causes and to improve bone loss.

Evenity injections are given once per month for 12 months. Prolia is only given once every 6 months for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Evenity and Prolia have some similar and different side effects.

Common side effects of both include:

Evenity may also cause muscle spasms, neck pain, and burning or tingling (usually in the hands and feet). Prolia may cause bronchitis, mild urinary tract infection, and back pain.

To learn about serious side effects of these two drugs, check out this article. If you still have questions about side effects of Evenity versus Prolia, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth. To learn more about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Does Evenity cause hair loss?

No. Hair loss wasn’t reported in studies of Evenity. But hair loss can have many other causes, such as stress, illness, or genetics. It can also be caused by other medications you take. If you’re concerned about hair loss, talk with your doctor. They can discuss possible causes and offer suggestions to help manage it.

How long does it take for side effects of Evenity to go away?

Side effects of a drug can vary based on individual factors. These include your overall health, other drugs you take, and other health conditions you may have. Most side effects of Evenity are mild and tend to ease as treatment continues. In rare cases, some people may have serious side effects from this drug.

How long side effects take to go away may also depend on how long Evenity stays in your system. If you have liver or kidney problems, it may take longer for Evenity to leave your body. If you’re wondering how long side effects may last, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about some of the side effects Evenity may cause.

Risk of heart attack, stroke, or death due to cardiovascular problems

Evenity has a boxed warning about the increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or death from cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

You may have a higher risk of these serious side effects if you already have certain risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease.

What might help

Tell your doctor about any health conditions you may have, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and whether you smoke. They’ll determine whether Evenity is safe for you.

If you’ve had a stroke or heart attack in the past year, your doctor won’t prescribe Evenity for you. And if you have a stroke or heart attack during your treatment with this drug, your doctor will have you stop your treatment.

Symptoms of a heart attack include:

Symptoms of a stroke can include:

  • headache
  • loss of balance or vision
  • numbness or weakness in your face or limbs

To learn more about boxed warnings of Evenity, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Headache

Evenity may cause headaches. This was a common but mild side effect reported in studies of the drug.

But a headache can also be a sign of a serious side effect of Evenity such as stroke. Evenity has a boxed warning for the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. (See the section just above for more information.)

What might help

If you have mild headaches with Evenity, your doctor may suggest ways to manage them. This may include taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), or lying down in a quiet place.

If you have a headache that’s bothersome or severe, call your doctor. And if you have other symptoms along with it, such as loss of balance, or numbness or weakness of your limbs or face, get medical help immediately by calling 911 or your local emergency medical number. These may be signs of a more serious side effect of Evenity.

Joint pain

Evenity injections may increase your risk of joint pain. This was a common but mild side effect of the drug reported in studies. Joint pain may also be caused by certain health conditions such as arthritis.

Tell your doctor right away if you have severe joint pain. This may be a sign of a more serious side effect of Evenity such as bone problems.

What might help

If you have joint pain with Evenity, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause. In some cases, if you have severe pain, they may suggest switching you to a different medication that’s better suited for you. They may also check whether you have other kinds of bone problems or a fracture.

Insomnia

In studies of Evenity, insomnia was a commonly reported but mild side effect of the drug. Keep in mind, there may be other causes for insomnia including other medications you take or other health conditions you may have.

What might help

For mild insomnia, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes to manage sleep problems. These may include:

  • drinking less caffeine
  • reducing stress
  • getting more exercise
  • maintaining a regular sleep schedule

If you experience ongoing insomnia that’s interfering with your quality of life, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause and offer solutions. If your insomnia is bothersome or severe, they may have you stop Evenity and will suggest a different treatment for your condition.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Evenity can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to help manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you swallow, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Evenity, they’ll decide if you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Evenity, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Evenity treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were using when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Taking notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Evenity affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Evenity may not be suitable for everyone. It comes with some warnings, including a boxed warning.

Boxed warning: Risk of heart attack, stroke, or death due to cardiovascular problems

Evenity has a boxed warning for the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death due to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Evenity can increase your risk of certain cardiovascular problems, such as stroke or heart attack. Your doctor won’t prescribe Evenity if you’ve had a stroke or heart attack in the past year. (To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section above.)

Other warnings

Evenity may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether this drug is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Evenity. Factors to consider include those described below.

Kidney problems. Before starting treatment with Evenity, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems. Severe kidney problems (if you’re receiving kidney dialysis, for instance) may increase your risk of developing low blood calcium levels, which is a serious side effect of Evenity. Your doctor will monitor your calcium levels and will ask you to take daily calcium and vitamin D supplements during your Evenity treatment.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Evenity or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe this drug for you. Ask them about other medications that might be better options.

Low blood calcium levels. Evenity can cause you to have low blood calcium levels. This was a serious side effect reported in studies of the drug. Evenity is not recommended if you already have this condition, as the drug can make it worse. Unless you receive treatment for low blood calcium first, your doctor will not prescribe Evenity for you. They’ll monitor your calcium levels and ask you to take daily calcium and vitamin D supplements during your Evenity treatment.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw. Evenity can cause a rare but serious dental side effect called osteonecrosis of the jaw (bone tissue death). If you have dental surgery, tooth extraction, or a dental infection, your risk of this side effect is higher. Your doctor may suggest that you contact a dentist before you start Evenity treatment.

Symptoms of osteonecrosis include:

  • exposed bone in the mouth
  • numbness in the mouth or jaw
  • pain, swelling, or redness in the mouth or jaw
  • infection in the gums

Risk factors for osteonecrosis include:

Be sure to practice good oral hygiene throughout your treatment with Evenity. Tell your dentist that you use this medication before you have any dental procedures. If you have symptoms of osteonecrosis such as jaw pain, swelling, or redness, tell your doctor right away.

Alcohol and Evenity

There are no known interactions between Evenity and alcohol. But alcohol can worsen osteoporosis and the risk of bone fractures. If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor how much, if any, is safe for you to consume during Evenity treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Evenity

Evenity is only approved for use in females* who’ve gone through menopause. It’s not known if it’s safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding. Evenity can pass into breast milk. If you have questions about Evenity’s uses, talk with your doctor.

* In this article we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For more about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Evenity is used to help treat osteoporosis. It can cause mild to serious side effects. Most are mild and go away with treatment, but Evenity can cause severe side effects in rare cases. If you have questions about side effects Evenity can cause, talk with your doctor. Examples of questions to help get you started include:

To learn more about Evenity, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.