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Forteo vs. Miacalcin

Forteo (teriparatide) is used to treat osteoporosis (bone loss or weakening). It's for people who are at very high fracture risk or people who've already tried other osteoporosis medications. Forteo (teriparatide) is an injection that you give to yourself once a day. Some common side effects include general body pain and joint pain. This medication comes as a prefilled pen, but it doesn't come with pen needles. Forteo (teriparatide) is only available as a brand medication; there's no generic version yet.

• Osteoporosis in females who've gone through menopause (postmenopause)
• Osteoporosis in males
• Osteoporosis caused by long-term use of corticosteroids

• Body pain (21%)
• Joint pain (10%)
• Runny nose (10%)
• Nausea (9%)
• Body weakness (9%)
• Headache (8%)
• Dizziness (8%)
• High blood pressure (7%)

• Bone cancer (osteosarcoma)
• High calcium levels in the blood
• Kidney stones
• Low blood pressure
• Higher risk of side effects from digoxin (Lanoxin)

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.

• Osteoporosis in women who have gone through menopause (postmenopause)

• Runny nose (12%)
• Nose irritation, dryness, redness (11%)
• Back pain (5%)
• Joint pain (4%)
• Bloody nose (4%)

• Severe allergic reaction
• Low calcium (hypocalcemia)
• Nasal irritation
• Cancer