Calcitonin

Calcitonin (Calcimar, Miacalcin) is a hormone that has been approved by the FDA in the United States for treating osteoporosis. Calcitonins come from several animal species, but salmon calcitonin is the one most widely used. Calcitonin can be administered as a shot under the skin (subcutaneously) or into the muscle (intramuscularly), or inhaled nasally (intranasally). Intranasal calcitonin is the most convenient of the three methods.

Calcitonin has been shown to prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women. In women with established osteoporosis, calcitonin has been shown to increase bone density and strength in the spine only.

Calcitonin is not as effective in increasing bone density and strengthening bone as estrogen and the other anti-resorptive agents. In addition, it is not as effective in reducing spine fracture risk, and has not been proven effective in reducing hip fracture risk. Therefore, calcitonin is not the first choice of treatment in women with established osteoporosis. Nevertheless, calcitonin is a helpful alternative osteoporosis treatment for patients who cannot tolerate other medications.

Common side effects of either injected or nasal spray calcitonin are nausea and flushing. Patients using Miacalcin Nasal Spray can develop nasal irritations, a runny nose, or nosebleeds. Injectable calcitonin can cause local skin redness at the site of injection, skin rash, and flushing. For more, please read the Calcitonin drug information article.