Teriparatide: Uses, Side Effects

Teriparatide is a man-made form of parathyroid hormone that exists naturally in the body. Teriparatide increases bone mineral density and bone strength, which may prevent fractures.

Teriparatide is used to treat osteoporosis caused by menopause, steroid use, or gonadal failure. teriparatide is for use when you have a high risk of bone fracture due to osteoporosis.

Teriparatide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important Information

Teriparatide has caused bone cancer (osteosarcoma) in animals but it is not known whether this would occur in people using this medicine. Talk with your doctor about your own risk.

Tell your doctor if you have conditions such as Paget’s disease, high blood levels of calcium or alkaline phosphatase, or a history of bone cancer or radiation treatment involving your bones.

Avoid smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol. Smoking or heavy drinking can reduce your bone mineral density, making fractures more likely.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use teriparatide if you are allergic to it.

Teriparatide is not for use in children or young adults whose bones are still growing.

To make sure teriparatide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• Paget’s disease or a bone disease other than osteoporosis;
• high blood levels of calcium or alkaline phosphatase;
• overactive parathyroid glands;
• bone cancer or radiation treatment involving your bones; or
• a kidney stone.

Teriparatide has caused bone cancer (osteosarcoma) in animals but it is not known whether this would occur in people using teriparatide. Talk with your doctor about your own risk.

While using teriparatide, you may be asked to provide your name to a patient registry. This is to collect information about any possible risk of bone cancer in people who take this medicine.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether teriparatide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out (may occur within 4 hours after injection);
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest after using an injection; or
• high levels of calcium in your blood–nausea, vomiting, constipation, muscle weakness, lack of energy, or tired feeling.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea;
• joint pain; or
• pain anywhere in your body.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What other drugs will affect teriparatide?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially digoxin and digitalis.

Keyword: teriparatide.