Calcitonin for Osteoporosis

Overview
Calcitonin is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis in women who have been postmenopausal for at least five years. Calcitonin may be indicated in cases where other treatments do not work or cannot be tolerated. Calcitonin is marketed under brand names including Fortical and Miacalcin.

Calcitonin is a synthetic version of a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. Calcitonin is believed to work by reducing the activity of osteoclasts, the cells that break down bone.

How do I take it?
Calcitonin is taken once daily. Calcitonin may be administered as an intranasal spray or by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. Calcium and Vitamin D supplements must be taken daily while on Calcitonin.

Calcitonin comes in forms including a metered pump bottle and a multi-dose vial.

Side effects
FDA-approved labels for branded Calcitonin products list common side effects including headache, cold symptoms, sinus infection, nosebleed, nasal sores or irritation, back pain, joint pain, abdominal pain, nausea, rash, itchy earlobes, flushing of the face or hands, injection site reactions, feverish sensations, increased nighttime urination, decreased appetite, swollen feet, and a salty taste in the mouth.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Calcitonin include increased risk for some types of cancer, hypocalcemia (low calcium), and hypersensitivity reactions.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Fortical - RxList
https://www.rxlist.com/fortical-drug.htm

Miacalcin - RxList
https://www.rxlist.com/miacalcin-drug.htm