Calcitonin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Calcitonin?

What is Calcitonin used for?

Calcitonin is a drug that works to treat several disorders of the bones, such as Paget's disease and postmenopausal osteoporosis. Calcitonin is a hormone that helps regulate and maintain calcium levels in the blood to return to normal limits.

Calcitonin is a man-made hormone, classified as an agent that affects bone metabolism. Calcitonin also plays a role in bone formation and reduces the pain in the bones of patients with Paget's disease.

How to use Calcitonin?

Always follow the rules that have been given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

Calcitonin application will be injected directly into the skin or muscle layer. For treatment caused by excess calcium levels, you will receive treatment every 12 hours. For osteoporosis treatment, you will receive treatment every other day.

Patients with Paget's disease will receive medication daily or intermittently, according to the doctor's instructions. If you are receiving a dose of more than 2 millimeters at a time, it is highly recommended to inject the injection directly into the muscle. Follow the doctor's prescription. Read and study the dosage preparation and dosage guidelines that are listed on the product label. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

The dosage is always given based on your health condition and how you respond to therapy. For the treatment of excess calcium levels, the dose is also measured according to body weight. It is recommended to take this drug at the lowest dose for a short time to manage your condition. A number of reports suggest a risk of cancer growth in patients on long-term treatment with calcitonin. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of long-term treatment with calcitonin.

Check packaging and product suitability. Do not continue to use the product if there are foreign particles or discoloration on the product. Sterilize the area to be injected with alcohol before starting treatment. It is important to always change the injection area each time you undergo a procedure to avoid problems that will arise in the area.

Take this medicine regularly to get optimal benefits. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time each day. Mark your calendar if you take medication doses at intervals.

Consult your pharmacist about proper drug storage and disposal. Tell your doctor if your health condition does not improve, or gets worse.

How is Calcitonin stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Calcitonin dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Calcitonin for adults?

• The usual dose for adults with Paget's disease

This drug is usually given as much as 50-100 units by subcutaneous injection (injection of drug under the skin layer of the dermis) or intramuscular (injection of drug directly into muscle tissue) as many as once a day. Reducing the dosage to 3 times a week is done when there is a visible progress in the patient's health condition, either clinically or biochemically in the body.

Calcitonin is generally not prescribed for more than 6 months, unless there are neurological symptoms or lytic injury to the bone, which is the area on the surface of the bone with heavy mass visible on the x-ray reading that indicates something has damaged or replaced it. The reduction in biochemical levels of the disease generally lasts no more than 6 months. If treatment is needed, repeat the initial dosing schedule with the maintenance doses as before. Human calcitonin is classified as an "orphan drug", a special drug for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of rare or deadly diseases. It can be used for patients who have allergies or medical conditions that do not allow calcitonin-salmon to consume.

Or this drug can be given as much as 200 - 400 units intranasally once a day. However, with a note that the level of efficacy will not be as optimal as injection treatment (400 units of nasal doses compared to 100 units of intramuscular doses). However, the risk of systemic side effects is also reduced. Studies report that intranasal treatment reduces bone turnover abnormalities by 30-40% when compared with a 50% reduction from subcutaneous or intramuscular injection treatment.

• The usual dosage for adults with hypercalcemia (high calcium levels in the blood)

It is taken as 4 units / kg (multiplied to a multiple of 5 units) and is given by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection every 12 hours. The maximum dose should not exceed 545 units per dose. If a response to a dose of 4 units / kg is not seen in 1–2 days, 8 units / kg (extended to a multiple of 5 units) may be given the same way every 12 hours.

The dosage frequency can be increased up to 6 hours, if needed. The maximum dose should not exceed 1090 units per dose. Therapy is generally carried out for about 5 days. A reduction of 2 mg / dl in plasma calcium levels will be recorded and monitored for 2 - 4 days. After that, the effect will disappear.

• The usual dosage for adults with osteoporosis

100 units are given alternately or 50 units once daily by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. The injection dose can be increased to 200 - 400 units once a day, as needed.

Or 200 units given intranasally alternately in each nostril, once a day. Therapy generally lasts for a long time, months to years.

What is the dosage of Calcitonin for children?

There is no provision for the dose of this drug for children. This medicine can be dangerous for children. It is important to understand the safety of drugs before use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

In what dosage is Calcitonin available?

Calcitonin is available in the following dosages:

• Solution, injection: 200 units / ml
• Solution, intranasal: 200 units / actuation (spray)

Calcitonin side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Calcitonin?

Call your doctor right away if you experience side effects, such as:

• Dizziness and lightheadedness, fainting; or
• Stiff muscles

Other side effects include:

• The body feels warm, reddish, itching, a tingling sensation under the skin
• Nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain
• Gag
• Urinating frequently, especially at night
• Eye pain
• Swelling in the legs
• Swelling or skin irritation at the injection site

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Calcitonin Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Calcitonin?

Do not use calcitonin if you are allergic to salmon calcitonin. Tell your doctor if you have any food or other drug allergies before starting the injection procedure. Special dosage adjustments or medical tests may be required to use this drug safely.

Is Calcitonin safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

A = Not at risk

B = No risk in several studies

C = May be risky

D = There is positive evidence of risk

X = Contraindicated

N = Unknown

Calcitonin Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Calcitonin?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Can food or alcohol interact with Calcitonin?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Calcitonin?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in the blood) —Use wisely. Calcitonin can worsen your health condition
• Vitamin D deficiency — Treat before using calcitonin

Calcitonin overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Symptoms of overdose include:

• Stomach churn
• Throws up

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.