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Calcitonin
Examples
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|---|
| calcitonin-human | Cibacalcin |
| calcitonin-salmon | Calcimar, Miacalcin |
How It Works
Calcitonin is a hormone that is used to decrease bone destruction caused by cancer that has spread (metastatic cancer). It also has some direct pain-relieving actions. It is given as a shot or as a nasal spray.
Why It Is Used
Calcitonin is sometimes used for bone pain or nerve pain caused by cancer.
How Well It Works
Calcitonin may help relieve some types of nerve pain, including phantom pain. 1 Phantom pain is a feeling of pain or other uncomfortable sensations in body parts that are no longer there, such as after an amputation. Although the limb is gone, the nerve endings at the site of the amputation continue to send pain signals to the brain that make the brain think the limb is still there. Women who have had a breast removed because of breast cancer may also feel phantom pain.
Calcitonin has also been used to help relieve bone pain caused by metastatic cancer. Some people may get relief, but the research done so far does not prove that calcitonin works for bone pain. 2 The benefits of calcitonin may take many weeks to notice, and they often go away soon after the medicine is stopped.
Side Effects
Side effects of calcitonin are not common but can include:
- Redness, tenderness, swelling, or warmth at the injection site.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Decreased appetite.
- Stomach pain.
- Unusual taste sensation, such as a salty or metallic taste.
- Increased urination.
- Flushing of the face, ears, hands, or feet.
- Tingling or tenderness of palms of hands or soles of feet.
- Headache.
- Nasal congestion.
- Dizziness.
- Weakness.
- Chills.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
The benefits of calcitonin usually go away soon after you stop taking it.
Calcitonin should not be used by women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Calcitonin should not be given to children.
Injections of calcitonin must be taken daily or at least several times a week. You or a family member usually will learn how to give the shot properly. It is important not to give the shot in the same place twice in a row, because this could damage your muscle tissue.
Calcitonin as a nasal spray must be used several times a week.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)
(What is a PDF document?)
to help you understand this medication.
Citations
Foley KM (2005). Management of cancer pain. In VT DeVita Jr et al., eds., Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, 7th ed., pp. 2615–2649. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
National Cancer Institute (2007). Pain (PDQ)-Health Professional Version. Available online: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/pain/healthprofessional.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.
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