What is calcitonin? What is calcitonin used for?
Miacalcin nasal spray is a calcitonin, indicated for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in women greater than 5 years postmenopause when alternative treatments are not suitable. Fracture reduction efficacy has not been demonstrated.
Limitations of Use:
- Due to the possible association between malignancy and calcitonin use, the need for continued therapy should be re-evaluated on a periodic basis
- Miacalcin nasal spray has not been shown to increase bone mineral density in early postmenopausal women
Is calcitonin available as a generic drug?
Yes
Do I need a prescription for calcitonin?
Yes
What are the side effects of calcitonin?
Side effects from calcitonin are uncommon and usually are mild. Injectable calcitonin can cause:
The nasal spray can cause other side effects including:
- runny nose (rhinorrhea),
- nose-bleeding,
- bone pain and
- headaches.
The nausea that can occur with injectable calcitonin is unlikely to occur with the nasal spray. In rare instances, the nasal spray can cause an upset stomach.
What is the dosage for calcitonin?
Injectable calcitonin is injected under the skin or
into the muscle. The nasal spray is administered into the nostril. To achieve
optimal results, patients with osteoporosis should simultaneously receive
adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D.
The recommended regimens for Paget’s disease and postmenopausal osteoporosis
are 100 units per day injected into muscle or under the skin. Postmenopausal
osteoporosis can also be treated with 1 spray (200 units) per day administered
in alternate nostrils. Increased blood calcium (hypercalcemia) is treated with
4-8 units/kg of injectable calcitonin every 6-12 hours
Which drugs or supplements interact with calcitonin?
Combining calcitonin salmon and lithium
may reduce lithium concentrations due to increased loss of lithium in urine. The
dose of lithium may require adjustment.PREGNANCY: There are no adequate studies
of calcitonin in
pregnant women.
QUESTION
What is another medical term for osteoporosis?
See Answer
Is calcitonin safe to take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
There are no adequate studies of calcitonin
in nursing
mothers.
What else should I know about calcitonin?
What preparations of calcitonin are available?
Injection: 200 units/ml. Intranasal spray: 200
units/activation (0.09 ml/puff)
How should I keep calcitonin stored?
Calcitonin should be stored in a refrigerator
between 2-8 C (36-46 F). It should be protected from freezing. Bottles of
intranasal spray that are being used may be stored at room temperature between
15 C-30 C (59 F-86 F) for 30 days.