calcitonin Nasal

kal-si-TOE-nin (SA-man)

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Fortical


• Miacalcin

In Canada

• Miacalcin Ns

Available Dosage Forms:

• Spray

Therapeutic Class: Calcium Regulator

Pharmacologic Class: Calcitonin

Uses For calcitonin

Calcitonin nasal is used together with calcium and vitamin D to treat bone loss in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis who have been postmenopause for at least 5 years.

calcitonin is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using calcitonin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For calcitonin, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to calcitonin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of calcitonin nasal in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of calcitonin nasal in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have unwanted side effects (e.g., irritation or redness of the nose, stuffy or runny nose), which may require caution in patients receiving calcitonin nasal.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

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 calcitonin, 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 calcitonin 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.

• Lithium

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of calcitonin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Paget's disease—Use with caution. Some medicines used for this condition (e.g., alendronate, etidronate, or risedronate) may keep calcitonin nasal from working properly.

Proper Use of calcitonin

Use calcitonin only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

calcitonin is for use only in the nose. Do not get any of it in your eyes or on your skin. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off with water right away.

Each spray bottle contains 30 doses of the medicine. Keep track of the doses you use and throw away any unused medicine after 30 doses, even if the bottle is not completely empty.

calcitonin usually comes with patient instructions. Read the instructions carefully before using calcitonin. If you have any questions about using the pump spray, ask your doctor.

To assemble the pump:

• If your medicine and its pump were not already assembled by the pharmacist, carefully follow the instructions provided with the container.


• Remove the bottle of solution from the refrigerator and let it slowly warm up to room temperature (less than 77 degrees F).


• Lift the plastic tab and pull the metal safety seal off the bottle.


• Hold the bottle upright and carefully pull the rubber stopper out of the bottle.


• Hold the spray pump unit and remove the plastic cap from the bottom of the unit.


• Hold the bottle upright and place the spray pump unit into the bottle.


• Turn the spray pump unit clockwise and tighten it until it is securely fastened.

To prepare calcitonin:

• Before you use a new bottle of calcitonin spray, the spray pump will need to be primed (started). If your pharmacist assembled the unit for you, check to see if it has already been primed by pumping the unit once. If a full spray comes out, the unit has already been primed; if not, you must prime the pump.


• To prime a new bottle, hold the bottle upright and away from you, then pump it several times until you see a faint spray.


• Do not prime the pump again before each daily use.

To use the nose spray:

• Before using the spray, blow your nose gently to clear the nostrils.


• Keeping your head in an upright position, carefully place the nozzle into one nostril.


• Press the pump toward the bottle one time. Do not spray more than once.


• Do not inhale while spraying.


• To keep the nosepiece clean, wipe it with a clean tissue and replace the dust cap after use.

Dosing

The dose of calcitonin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of calcitonin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For nasal dosage form (nose spray):
  
  • For postmenopausal osteoporosis:
    
    • Adults—One spray into one nostril per day. It is best to change which nostril you use each day. As an example, you should spray into the left side on the first day, then into the right side on the second day, and back to the left side on the third day.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of calcitonin, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the unopened bottle in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. You may store the opened bottle in an upright position at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. An opened bottle of Miacalcin® can be stored for up to 35 days, and an opened bottle of Fortical® can be stored for up to 30 days. Throw away any unused medicine after 30 or 35 days based on the brand you are using.

Precautions While Using calcitonin

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that calcitonin is working properly. Your doctor may also want to check your nose before and during treatment with calcitonin.

Your doctor might give you an allergy skin test to see if you are allergic to calcitonin before using calcitonin.

calcitonin may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash; itching; hoarseness; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using calcitonin.

calcitonin may cause irritation in the nose that can be painful and serious. Stop using calcitonin and check with your doctor right away if you have more than one of the following symptoms: sneezing; runny or stuffy nose; shortness of breath; troubled breathing; or heavy nosebleeds.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

calcitonin Side Effects

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 calcitonin


• headaches (severe or continuing)


• nosebleeds


• runny nose


• stuffy nose


• sneezing

Less common

• Bloody or cloudy urine


• difficult, burning, or painful urination


• difficulty with breathing or wheezing (severe)


• dizziness


• frequent urge to urinate


• loss of sense of smell


• swollen glands


• upper respiratory infection, with chest pain, chills, cough, ear congestion or pain, fever, head congestion, hoarseness or other voice changes, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, or sore throat

Rare

• Hair loss


• hives, itching, or skin rash


• increased thirst


• taste disturbances

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:

More common

• Back pain


• joint pain

Less common or rare

• Abdominal or stomach pain


• burning, dry, or itching eyes


• constipation


• diarrhea


• flu-like symptoms (fever with or without chills, headache, body ache)


• flushing


• mental depression


• muscle pain


• nausea


• unusual tearing of the eyes


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• upset stomach

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.

See also: calcitonin Nasal side effects (in more detail)

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More calcitonin Nasal resources

• Calcitonin Nasal Side Effects (in more detail)
• Calcitonin Nasal Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Calcitonin Nasal Drug Interactions
• Calcitonin Nasal Support Group
• 2 Reviews for Calcitonin Nasal - Add your own review/rating

• calcitonin nasal Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)

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