Calcitonin Nasal

Calcitonin Nasal is a prescription medication used to treat osteoporosis in women who have been in menopause for at least 5 years.

• Calcitonin Nasal is available under various brand names: Fortical, Miacalcin Nasal

Common side effects of Calcitonin Nasal include:

• bleeding from the nose;
• runny or stuffy nose;
• dryness, itching, tenderness, or general discomfort of the nose; or
• crusting, scabs, or sores inside the nose.

Serious side effects of Calcitonin Nasal include:

• hives, 
• difficult breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• a light-headed feeling;
• severe Nasal irritation; or
• low levels of calcium in the blood--numbness or tingly feeling around the mouth, fast or slow heart rate, muscle tightness or contraction, overactive reflexes.

Rare side effects of Calcitonin Nasal 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, lightheartedness, 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 SC/IM every 12 hours
• May increase to 8 IU/kg SC/IM every 12 hours; may increase up to a maximum 8 IU/kg every 6 hours if unresponsive

Paget Disease

Adult dosage

• Initial dose: 100 IU SC/IM every day
• Maintenance: 50 IU/day or 50-100 IU every 1-3 days

Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal

Adult dosage

• 100 IU SC/IM every other day with calcium and vitamin D
• Nasal Spray: 1 spray (200 IU) every 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 Nasal has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Calcitonin Nasal has serious interactions with no other drugs.
• Calcitonin Nasal has moderate interactions with no other drugs.
• Calcitonin Nasal 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

• Allergic to salmon calcitonin.

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

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

Long-Term Effects

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

Cautions

• Using calcitonin Nasal may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.
• Calcitonin Nasal is usually given as one spray per day into only one of your nostrils. Use the other nostril the next day and continue alternating back and forth for each daily dose.
• Calcitonin Nasal spray delivers a fine mist into the nose. Even if you do not feel the spray while using it, the medication is still being absorbed by your Nasal passages.
• Avoid using any other Nasal sprays or Nasal medicines at the same time you use calcitonin Nasal unless your doctor has told you to.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether calcitonin Nasal will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.
• Lactation
  • It is not known whether calcitonin Nasal passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.