Calcitonin Injection

Calcitonin is a prescription medication used to treat Paget's disease of bone or high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia). It is also used to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

• Calcitonin is available under various brand names: Calcimar, Miacalcin 

Common side effects of Calcitonin Injection include:

• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).
• nausea, vomiting; or
• swelling where the Injection was given.

Serious side effects of Calcitonin include:

• hives, 
• difficult breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• a light-headed feeling; or
• low calcium levels--muscle spasms or contractions, numbness, or tingly feeling (around your mouth, or in your fingers and toes).

Rare side effects of Calcitonin include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Injectable solution

• 200 IU/mL

Nasal spray

• 200 IU/actuation

Hypercalcemia

Adult dosage

• Initial dose: 4 IU/kg Subcutaneous /Intramuscular every 12 hours  
• May increase to 8 IU/kg Subcutaneous /Intramuscular every 12 hours; may increase up to a maximum of 8 IU/kg every 6 hours if unresponsive

Paget Disease

Adult dosage

• Initial dose: 100 IU Subcutaneous/Intramuscular once a day
• Maintenance: 50 IU/day or 50-100 IU every 1-3 days

Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal

Adult dosage

• 100 IU Subcutaneous /Intramuscular every other day with calcium and vitamin D
• Nasal Spray: 1 spray (200 IU) once a day, alternate nostrils daily

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Calcitonin has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Calcitonin has serious interactions with no other drugs.
• Calcitonin has moderate interactions with no other drugs.
• Calcitonin has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • magnesium chloride
  • magnesium citrate
  • magnesium hydroxide
  • magnesium oxide
  • magnesium sulfate

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to salmon Calcitonin.

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Calcitonin?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Calcitonin?”

Cautions

• Using calcitonin may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.
• Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
• If you have osteoporosis, avoid smoking, or try to quit. Smoking can reduce your bone mineral density, making fractures more likely.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• It is not known whether calcitonin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Lactation
  • It may not be safe to breastfeed a baby while you are using calcitonin. Ask your doctor about any risks.