About calcitonin salmon synthetic
Calcitonin hormone; calcium-lowering agent
Used for
- Paget disease of bone
- High blood calcium when other treatments are unsuitable
- Short-term treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis when other options are unsuitable
Usual adult dose
Paget disease: 100 IU injected under the skin or into a muscle daily. High blood calcium: 4 IU/kg every 12 hours, adjusted as needed.
Common side effects
- Nausea or vomiting
- Flushing
- Injection-site reactions
- Low blood calcium
Important warnings
- Long-term use may increase cancer risk; use the shortest necessary duration.
- May cause severe allergic reactions, especially in people allergic to fish.
- Low blood calcium can cause tingling, cramps, or spasms.
- Treatment for osteoporosis is generally limited to situations where alternatives are unsuitable.
Pregnancy
Use during pregnancy only if clearly needed; human safety information is limited.
Breastfeeding
It is not known whether calcitonin passes into human milk; use caution during breastfeeding.
Interactions
- Lithium levels or effects may decrease.
- Other calcium-lowering medicines may increase the risk of low blood calcium.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.