calcitonin salmon
Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) is an injectable medication used to treat osteoporosis in women who have already undergone menopause (postmenopause), Paget's disease of bone, and high calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia). The usual dosage is one injection given into the muscle or under the skin 1 to 4 times a day, depending on the reason you're using it. Nausea and injection site reactions are the most common side effects. You can find the injection in both brand-name and generic forms.
What is Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin)?
What is Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) used for?
- Paget's disease of bone
- High calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia)
- Osteoporosis in women who have gone through menopause (postmenopause)
How Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) works
Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) 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. It also lowers calcium levels by helping you get rid of it in your urine.
Drug facts
Side effects of Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea with or without vomiting (10%)
- Injection site reaction (10%)
- Flushing (warmth and reddening) of the face or hands (2-5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Rash
- Itchy ear lobes
- Urinating more frequently at night
- Fever
- Eye pain
- Poor appetite
- Stomach pain
- Swelling in the feet
- Salty taste in the mouth
Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reaction: trouble breathing, hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
The following Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) 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.
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Pros and cons of Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin)
Pros
- Works faster than other treatments for osteoporosis (e.g., bisphosphonates)
- Not many known interactions with other medications
- Available as a lower-cost generic
Cons
- Not a first-choice treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis
- Unknown if safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Injections can be uncomfortable for some people
Pharmacist tips for Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin)
- Before using calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin), make sure you've been trained on how and where to give the injection properly and safely. This medication can be injected into a muscle or under the skin. Never inject it into a vein.
- Store calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it. Don't freeze it because this could damage the medication.
- Always check to see if calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) looks clear, colorless, and free of particles. Don't use it if it's damaged.
- Follow directions for giving clean injections to avoid getting an infection.
- Never throw needles away in the trash to avoid needlestick injuries. Instead, discard them in a sharps container.
- Keep your follow-up appointments with your provider to make sure calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) is still working well for you. It's possible that this medication won't work as well over time.
- Tell your provider if you're taking lithium (Lithobid), since calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) can lower the amount of lithium in your body and cause it to work less well.
- If you have postmenopausal osteoporosis or Paget's disease of bone, ask your provider how much calcium and vitamin D you should be taking every day to support your bone health.
Common questions about Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin)
Normally, your body removes old bone and replaces it with new bone material in a balanced manner. Paget's disease of bone and menopause are two conditions that can disrupt the balance between removing old bone and building new bone. In both conditions, bones are being broken down faster than your body can build new bone. During menopause, a drop in estrogen levels is thought to slow down new bone formation. And in Paget's, the cells responsible for breaking down bone are more active. Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) helps prevent bone loss by slowing these cells down, so less bone is broken down.
No, calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) sounds a lot like calcium, but it doesn't actually raise calcium levels in the blood. In fact, it works to lower calcium levels. Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) works by stopping calcium from being absorbed back into your body through the kidneys. And it helps to get rid of the calcium through the urine. So it's FDA approved to treat people with hypercalcemia (high calcium levels).
The calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) nasal spray and injection both contain the same medication, but they're used for different conditions. The nasal spray is FDA approved specifically for treating postmenopausal osteoporosis. On the other hand, the injection form of the medication is approved for treating not only postmenopausal osteoporosis, but also Paget's disease of bone and high levels of calcium in the blood. The nasal spray is only available as a generic version, but the injection form is available as both a brand name and generic.
Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) typically starts to work within 30 minutes of taking a dose. Keep in mind that it might take longer to see the full effects of this medication.
Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) isn't FDA-approved to treat bone pain alone. But, about 66% of people with Paget's disease of bone taking calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) in clinical studies noticed an improvement in bone pain. If you're experiencing bone pain, talk to your provider about treatment options that can help.
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Risks and warnings for Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin)
Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) 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
Rarely, calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) can cause an allergic reaction. Some reactions can be serious and require medical treatment. Let your provider know if you've had a history of allergic reactions. If you experience trouble breathing, hives, or swelling in your throat, lips, tongue, or face, get medical help right away.
Low calcium (hypocalcemia)
Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) can cause your calcium levels to get too low. 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, especially if you're using calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) for postmenopausal osteoporosis or Paget's disease of bone.
Cancer
In clinical studies, more people using calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) 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 (Miacalcin) dosage
Vial| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2ml of 200iu/ml | 1 vial | $244.00 | $244.00 |
Typical dosage for Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin)
Each 1 mL of calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) injection contains 200 units of calcitonin salmon.
- Paget's disease of bone: Inject 100 units (0.5 mL) under the skin or into the muscle once a day.
- Hypercalcemia: The dose is based on your body weight and is given every 6 to 12 hours as an injection under the skin or into the muscle.
- Osteoporosis: Inject 100 units (0.5 mL) under the skin or into the muscle once a day.
Interactions between Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
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.
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