| name | Calcitonin |
| classification | Hormonal and Antiresorptive Agent |
| pharmacokinetics | | absorption | Absorption is variable and incomplete when administered orally. Intranasal preparations have better absorption than subcutaneous or intramuscular formulations. High first-pass metabolism is likely. | | distribution | Distributed throughout the body, with high concentrations in bone. | | metabolism | Primarily metabolized in the liver and kidneys. | | excretion | Excreted primarily in the urine. |
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| suggested dosage | | adult male 25 70kg | | form | | 1 | Intranasal spray | | 2 | Subcutaneous Injection | | 3 | Intramuscular Injection |
| | dosages | | 1 | | route | Intranasal | | description | Variable. Start with 200 IU daily, adjusted to achieve therapeutic effect and tolerance. Individualized doses may be required, based on clinical response and tolerability |
| | 2 | | route | Subcutaneous/IM | | description | Variable. Start with 100 IU daily, adjusted to achieve therapeutic effect. Individualized doses may be required, based on clinical response and tolerability. Usually reserved for intermittent therapy, typically in injectable form. |
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| | important note | Dosage should be adjusted based on individual patient needs. Consult a healthcare professional for proper dosage and duration of treatment. |
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| indications | | 1 | Paget's disease of bone | | 2 | Osteoporosis (particularly postmenopausal) | | 3 | Hypercalcemia (often as a short-term measure) |
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| safety in pregnancy | Limited data available. Potential risk to the fetus exists. Only use if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk. Consult a healthcare professional. |
| safety in breastfeeding | Calcitonin is excreted in breast milk. The potential risk to the infant is unknown. Discontinue breastfeeding or medication as appropriate. |
| side effects | | 1 | Nausea, vomiting | | 2 | Headache | | 3 | Diarrhea | | 4 | Skin rashes | | 5 | Injection site reactions (with injectable preparations) | | 6 | Localized pain at the injection site | | 7 | Nasal irritation, rhinitis, epistaxis with intranasal preparations | | 8 | Hypocalcemia (rare but possible, particularly with long-term or high doses) | | 9 | Bronchospasm |
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| alternatives | |
| contraindications | | 1 | Hypersensitivity to calcitonin or other components of the medication. | | 2 | Severe renal impairment | | 3 | Known or suspected hypersensitivity to salmon derived calcitonin, particularly with patients with previous exposure history. |
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| interactions | | 1 | Potential interactions with other medications, including oral calcium supplements and medications that affect calcium metabolism. | | 2 | Concurrent use of medications that may induce hypocalcemia. |
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| warnings and precautions | | 1 | Monitor calcium levels regularly during treatment. | | 2 | Closely monitor for and treat any signs of hypocalcemia. | | 3 | Use caution in patients with renal insufficiency. | | 4 | Avoid use in patients with known hypersensitivity to salmon. | | 5 | Always consider the potential impact of calcitonin on the patient's overall health conditions and needs. |
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| additional information | Calcitonin is a peptide hormone. It is available in different formulations, including intranasal and injectable forms. Its effectiveness and safety vary according to the formulation and route of administration. It plays a role in calcium homeostasis. |
| important disclaimer | This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site. |
