calcitonin salmon
Calcitonin salmon is a synthetic (man-made) hormone available as a nasal spray. It's used to treat osteoporosis in women who have already gone through menopause (postmenopause). The medication is typically taken once a day by alternating between nostrils each day. Common side effects include back pain and nose symptoms, like runny nose, irritation, and bleeding. The nasal spray used to be available under the brand name Miacalcin, but now only comes as a generic version.
What is Calcitonin salmon?
What is Calcitonin salmon used for?
Osteoporosis in women who have gone through menopause (postmenopause)
How Calcitonin salmon works
Calcitonin salmon is a calcitonin receptor agonist. Since it acts like a natural hormone in your body called calcitonin, it works mainly on the bone to prevent bone breakdown.
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What are the side effects of Calcitonin salmon?
Common Side Effects
- Runny nose (12%)
- Nose irritation, dryness, redness (11%)
- Back pain (5%)
- Joint pain (4%)
- Bloody nose (4%)
Other Side Effects
- Headache
- Sinus infection
- Flu-like symptoms
- Rash
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Watery eyes
Serious Side Effects
- Severe allergic reaction: trouble breathing, hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
Source:Â DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Crusting, patches, or sores inside the nose
dryness, itching, redness, swelling, tenderness, or other signs of nasal irritation not present before use of this medicine
headaches (severe or continuing)
nosebleeds
Less common
Bloody or cloudy urine
chills
difficult, burning, or painful urination
difficulty with breathing or wheezing (severe)
dizziness
frequent urge to urinate
head congestion
loss of sense of smell
swollen glands
Rare
increased thirst
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
taste disturbances
trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach cramps
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
blurred vision
confusion
difficulty with swallowing
fainting
increased sweating
irregular heartbeats
muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
pain or tightness in the chest
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
rapid weight gain
seizures
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight gain or loss
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common or rare
Abdominal or stomach pain
body aches
burning, dry, or itching eyes
flushing
mental depression
unusual tearing of the eyes
Incidence not known
Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
hearing loss
trouble hearing
trouble seeing
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Calcitonin salmon
Pros
Only need to use it once a day
Can store a used bottle at room temperature for about a month
Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Cons
Not a first-choice treatment option for postmenopausal osteoporosis
Can lead to low calcium levels
Might raise the risk of certain cancers
Pharmacist tips for Calcitonin salmon
Follow the Instructions for Use on how to use calcitonin salmon properly and clean your nasal spray bottle. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe your spray pump once or twice a week. Dry it with a clean cloth afterwards.
Store new, unopened calcitonin salmon spray bottles in the refrigerator until you're ready to use them. Don't freeze them because this could damage the medication.
When you're ready to use a new calcitonin salmon bottle, first take it out of the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature. Don't shake it.
Each new calcitonin salmon bottle will need to be primed before using it for the first time. To do this, spray the bottle into the air until a full spray comes out. Afterwards, you won't need to prime the bottle each time you use it.
After opening, keep your calcitonin salmon nasal spray bottle upright at room temperature. You can store the 2 mL bottle for up to 30 days and the 3.7 mL bottle for up to 35 days.
Throw away the calcitonin salmon spray bottle after using 14 doses for the 2 mL bottle, or 30 doses for the 3.7 mL bottle. Even though the bottle might not feel empty, there isn't enough medication left to provide the complete dose with each spray.
Continue to take your calcium and vitamin D supplements to help keep your bones strong. This will also help prevent low calcium levels while you're taking calcitonin salmon.
Tell your provider if you're taking lithium (Lithobid), since calcitonin salmon might lower the amount of lithium in your body and cause it to work less well.
Keep your follow-up appointments with your provider to make sure calcitonin salmon is still working well for you. It's possible that this medication won't work as well over time.
Frequently asked questions about Calcitonin salmon
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What are the risks and warnings for Calcitonin salmon?
Calcitonin salmon can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Severe allergic reaction
Some people might have an allergic reaction to calcitonin salmon. Some reactions have been serious, requiring medical treatment. Let your provider know if you've had a history of allergic reactions. They might do a skin test if they think you might be allergic. If you experience trouble breathing, hives, or swelling in your throat, lips, tongue, or face, get medical help right away.
Low calcium (hypocalcemia)
Risk factors: Low vitamin D levels | Other conditions that affect how your body processes minerals
Calcitonin salmon can cause your calcium levels to get too low (hypocalcemia). Low calcium can lead to muscle cramps, twitching, and seizures. Talk to your provider about using calcium and vitamin D supplements to avoid low calcium levels while taking this medication.
Nasal irritation
Side effects in and around your nose are common with calcitonin salmon nasal spray. This can include a runny or bloody nose. Some side effects can be more serious, like ulcers in your nose. Keep your follow-up visits so your provider can check for these effects. If you develop ulcers in your nose, they might have you stop or pause using the nasal spray.
Cancer
In clinical studies, more people using calcitonin salmon developed cancer than those who used a placebo medication. Talk to your provider if you have questions about this potential side effect. They can discuss the benefits and risks of this medication for you.
Calcitonin salmon dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7ml of 200iu/spray | 1 nasal spray | $32.05 | $32.05 |
Typical dosing for Calcitonin salmon
Each spray contains 200 units of calcitonin salmon.
The typical dose is 1 spray in one nostril once per day. Switch which nostril you use every day.
Interactions between Calcitonin salmon and other drugs
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
How much does Calcitonin salmon cost?
What are alternatives to Calcitonin salmon?
Osteoporosis in women who have gone through menopause (postmenopause)
Osteoporosis in women who have gone through menopause (postmenopause)
Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in females
Treatment of osteoporosis in males
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References
Best studies we foundApotex Corp. (2022). CALCITONIN SALMON spray, metered [package insert]. DailyMed.
Eastell, R., et al. (2019). Pharmacological management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
McLaughlin, M. B., et al. (2022). Calcitonin. StatPearls.
You and Your Hormones. (2021). Calcitonin.
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