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Calcitonin

Calcitonin

Description

Calcitonin is a medication used to treat osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones) in women who are at least five years past menopause, when alternative treatments are not suitable. It may also be used to treat Paget's disease, a condition that disrupts the bone remodeling process (replacement of old bone tissue with new bone tissue). Calcitonin works by blocking the activity of the osteoclasts, the cells that break down bone. Calcitonin may cause side effects like runny nose, nosebleeds, nasal irritation, joint and muscle pain, nausea, headache, etc. Most of these side effects resolve with time. Howeonsult your doctor if these side effects persist or worsen. Calcitonin is meant for nasal use only. Use this medicine as instructed by your doctor. Read the label carefully before use. Use Calcitonin for the recommended duration for maximum benefits. Calcitonin is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have low blood calcium levels before using this medicine. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age.
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Side effectsConcernsUsage

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Calcitonin

  • Runny Nose
  • Bleeding from nose
  • Sinus pain
  • Crusts, dryness, redness, or swelling of nose
  • Back pain
  • Joint pain
  • Stomach upset
  • Severe skin rash and hives
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Sudden swelling of eyelids, face, throat, tongue
  • Change in taste
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Blurred vision
  • Dizziness
  • Headache

Uses of Calcitonin

What is it prescribed for?

  • Postmenopausal osteoporosis
  • Paget's disease
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The time taken by Calcitonin to show its effect is not clinically known.
  • Duration of effect
    The amount of time for which Calcitonin remains effective in your body is not clinically known.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Calcitonin.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Calcitonin is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Calcitonin is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless necessary.

Allergy

Calcitonin is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical assistance if you experience symptoms like rashes, hives (itchy, painful eruptions that sting), itching/swelling (especially of the throat/tongue/face), severe dizziness, difficulty breathing, etc.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Calcitonin is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary.

Breast-feeding

Calcitonin is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless necessary.
General warnings

Other medicines

Calcitonin may interact with many other medicines and cause undesired effects. Hence, inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications, including any herbs and supplements, before beginning treatment with this medicine.

Hypocalcaemia

Use of Calcitonin may significantly reduce the levels of calcium in your blood. This may cause severe side effects such as muscle cramps, seizures (fits), etc. Your doctor may recommend tests to monitor your blood calcium levels, if necessary. Your doctor may also prescribe calcium and vitamin D supplements based on your clinical condition.

Malignancies

Use of Calcitonin may increase the risk of malignancies (tumors). This risk is especially higher if this medicine is used for a prolonged period. Report any unusual signs and symptoms to your doctor immediately.

Hypersensitivity

Use of Calcitonin may cause serious or life-threatening allergic reactions in some people. If you are suspected to be allergic to this medication, your doctor will recommend to perform skin tests before starting the treatment. Report any unusual symptoms to your doctor immediately. Your doctor may recommend appropriate corrective measures and replacement with a suitable based on your clinical condition.

Nasal irritaion

Use of Calcitonin may cause nosebleeds, ulcerations (sores), crusts, dryness, irritation, etc. in some cases. Hence, consult your doctor if you experience such symptoms that persist or worsen.

Missed Dose

Try not to skip a scheduled dose of Calcitonin. Administer the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use a double dose to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Do not use more than the prescribed dose of Calcitonin. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Etelcalcetide

Cimetidine

Lithium

Disease interactions

Mineral metabolism disorder

Calcitonin should be used with caution if you have mineral metabolism disorders such as low blood calcium levels and vitamin D deficiency. An adequate supply of calcium and vitamin D is necessary to improve bone mineral density. Hence your doctor will correct the deficiency of vitamin D and calcium prior to initiating treatment with this medicine. Further, your doctor may recommend vitamin D and calcium supplements based on your clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Use Calcitonin exactly as directed by your doctor. Read the prescription label or package insert carefully before use and follow all the directions given. The nasal spray should be inhaled through the nose. It is recommended to alternate the nostrils during each administration. Wipe the nose spray pump with a clean, damp cloth one to two times a week. Do not shake the bottle before use. Do not administer in larger or smaller amounts than prescribed. Report any unusual symptoms to your doctor immediately. Do not stop the use of Calcitonin without consulting your doctor. Your doctor may recommend appropriate supplementation of calcium and vitamin D during treatment with Calcitonin to prevent its deficiency in the body. Do not share your medicine with other people, even if their symptoms appear to be the same as yours. Keep away from children and pets. Safely dispose of any Calcitonin bottles left at room temperature (opened or unopened) for more than 30days.
Miscelleneous

Usage does not depend on food timings

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
Calcitonin works by preventing bone breakdown and increasing bone density (thickness).
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Unknown

Classification

Category

Calcitonin, Hormones

Schedule

Schedule H

Ema.europa.eu. 2021. SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARCATERISTICSS- INTRANASAL SALMON CALCITONIN. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 November 2021].

https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/referral/calcitonins-article-31-referral-annex-iii_en.pdf>

Parpharm.com. 2021. Patient Information Leaflet. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 November 2021].

https://www.parpharm.com/pdfs/catalog/generic/Calcitonin_PI_20200506.pdf>

Accessdata.fda.gov. 2017. MIACALCIN® (calcitonin-salmon) nasal spray. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 November 2021].

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/020313s036lbl.pdf>

Medlineplus.gov. 2018. Calcitonin Salmon Nasal Spray: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 November 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601031.html>
Singer, F., 1991. Clinical efficacy of salmon calcitonin in Paget's disease of bone. Calcified Tissue International, 49(S2), pp.S7-S8.

R, L. and R, B., 1995. Calcitonin nasal spray for Paget's disease of the bone. [online] PubMed. Available at: < [Accessed 30 November 2021].

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7750816/>

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Information on this page was last updated on 24 Dec 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.