GENERIC NAME: calcitonin

BRAND NAME: Calcimar, Miacalcin

DRUG CLASS: Calcitonin is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that acts primarily on bone. Bone is in a constant state of remodeling, whereby old bone is removed by cells called osteoclasts, and new bone is laid down by cells called osteoblasts. Calcitonin inhibits bone removal by osteoclasts, and promotes bone formation by osteoblasts. In women with osteoporosis, the net result of using calcitonin is an increase in bone mass (density).

PRESCRIPTION: yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: no

PREPARATIONS: injectable: 200IU/ml; metered dose intranasal spray 200IU/activation (0.09ml/puff)

STORAGE: Store in refrigerator, protect from freezing, sealed container.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Injectable calcitonin is used to treat osteoporosis (thinning of bone) and Paget's disease. After menopause, the rate of bone loss accelerates. In women with osteoporosis, calcitonin has been shown to increase bone density and strength, while decreasing the rate of bone fractures. Paget's disease is a bone disease characterized by a disorderly and accelerated remodeling of the bone, leading to bone weakness and pain. Calcitonin can decrease bone turnover and bone pain in patients with Paget's disease. Injectable calcitonin is also used to treat seriously elevated blood calcium levels. Miacalcin Nasal Spray is used only for osteoporosis in women who are at least 5 years after menopause.

DOSING: Injectable calcitonin is given under the skin or into the muscle. Miacalcin Nasal Spray is administered into the nostril. To achieve optimal results, patients with osteoporosis should simultaneously receive adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Calcitonin should not be used by patients with a history of calcitonin allergy. Injectable calcitonin should be given using sterile technique. Patients using Miacalcin Nasal Spray may develop nasal irritations and need medical attention. Treatment should continue indefinitely even after symptoms of bone pain improve or disappear.

PREGNANCY: Safe use of calcitonin in children, in pregnancy, or by nursing mothers has not been studied.

NURSING MOTHERS: Safe use of calcitonin in children, in pregnancy, or by nursing mothers has not been studied.

SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects from calcitonin are uncommon and are usually mild. Injectable calcitonin can cause nausea with or without vomiting in 10% of patients. Nausea can occur with initial treatment and tends to disappear with continued use. Injectable calcitonin can also cause local skin redness at the site of injection. Flushing and skin rash are also seen. Miacalcin Nasal Spray can cause runny nose, nosebleed, bone pain and headaches. The nausea that can occur with injectable calcitonin does not occur with Miacalcin Nasal Spray. In rare instances, it can cause stomach upset.

Last Editorial Review: 12/31/1997

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From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Osteoporosis - Get information on osteoporosis causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment (drugs), prevention (diet, weight-bearing exercise), statistics, risk factors (hereditary) and research. Source:MedicineNet Paget's Disease - Read about Paget's disease causes, symptoms, statistics, prognosis, diagnosis and treatment. Learn about Sir James Paget, who discovered the bone disorder. Source:MedicineNet Read 49 more calcitonin related articles ... So Much to Do, So Little Sleep Head Injuries All Too Common in Summer Play Health Tip: The Word on Wisdom Teeth Health Tip: Make Exercise a Daily Habit New Source of Heart Stem Cells Found Health Highlights: June 23, 2008 Poorer Patients Have Poorer Survival After Cancer Diagnosis One Gene May Be Key to Myeloma Crocodile Babies Cry Out for Hatching Immune Molecule Key to Preventing Organ Rejection

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