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Calcitonin for osteoporosis
Examples
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|---|
| calcitonin-human | Cibacalcin |
| calcitonin-salmon | Calcimar, Miacalcin |
Calcitonin can be taken in a nasal spray, as a shot into the muscle (intramuscular, or IM), or as a shot into the fat tissue (subcutaneous).
How It Works
Calcitonin is a naturally occurring hormone. It helps regulate calcium levels in your body and is involved in the process of bone building. When taken by shot or nasal spray, it slows the rate of bone thinning. It also relieves pain that occurs when the bones in the spine (vertebrae) break and collapse on top of each other (spinal compression fracture).
Why It Is Used
Calcitonin is used in women with osteoporosis to reduce bone loss. It reduces spinal bone (vertebrae) fractures when taken by postmenopausal women for at least 1 year. 1
It may be prescribed for women who are more than 5 years beyond menopause and who do not tolerate bisphosphonate medications. 2
Calcitonin can be used in men with osteoporosis who have normal levels of the male sex hormone testosterone or whose osteoporosis does not get better with testosterone treatment.
Calcitonin relieves pain caused by spinal compression fractures.
How Well It Works
- Calcitonin slows thinning of bone in the spine, hip (pelvis), and ends of the long bones (trabecular bone). But it does not appear to be as effective as other medicines, such as raloxifene or alendronate, at building bone mass and reducing the risk of fractures. 3
- Calcitonin helps relieve pain from broken bones caused by osteoporosis.
Side Effects
Side effects of the nasal spray may include:
- Runny nose or nasal discomfort.
- Nausea.
- Skin redness (flushing).
Side effects of the shot may include:
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Inflammation at the site of the shot.
- Skin redness (flushing).
- Increased urination or increased number of bowel movements.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
It may take up to 2 weeks before pain relief is noticed. Not all people who take calcitonin get relief from their pain.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)
(What is a PDF document?)
to help you understand this medication.
Citations
Mosekilde L, et al. (2008). Fracture prevention in postmenopausal women, search date January 2007. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence. Also available online: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
Silverman SL (2002). Calcitonin. In SR Cummings et al., eds., Osteoporosis: An Evidence-Based Guide to Prevention and Management, pp. 197–208. Philadelphia: American College of Physicians–American Society of Internal Medicine.
Drugs for postmenopausal osteoporosis (2008). Treatment Guidelines From The Medical Letter, 6(74): 67–74.
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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