Teriparatide
What is Teriparatide?
- Teriparatide is a recombinant fragment of human parathyroid hormone consisting of its first amino(N)-terminal 34 amino acids and a potent osteoanabolic agent.
- Teriparatide is an osteoporosis medication that can help strengthen your bones and reduce your risk of breaking a bone. It is available as a daily injection, which you do yourself.
- Teriparatide is a parathyroid hormone treatment. Parathyroid hormone is naturally produced by your body to help regulate calcium. The treatment works by increasing the activity of bone-building cells, helping your bones to stay strong.
- People taking teriparatide are usually also prescribed with a vitamin D supplement, or combined calcium and vitamin D supplement.
Why is this medication prescribed?
- Teriparatide injection is used to treat osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) in women who have undergone menopause ('change in life,' end of menstrual periods), who are at high risk of fractures (broken bones), and cannot use other osteoporosis treatments.
- It is also used to increase bone mass in men with certain types of osteoporosis who are at high risk for having broken bones (fractures), and who cannot use other osteoporosis treatments.
- Teriparatide injection is also used to treat osteoporosis in men and women who are taking corticosteroids (a type of medication that may cause osteoporosis in some patients) who are at high risk of fractures (broken bones), and cannot use other osteoporosis treatments.
- Teriparatide injection contains a synthetic form of natural human hormone called parathyroid hormone (PTH). It works by causing the body to build new bone and by increasing bone strength and density (thickness).
How should this medicine be used?
- Teriparatide injection comes as a solution (liquid) to inject subcutaneously (under the skin) in your thigh or lower stomach area. This medication comes in prefilled dosing pens. It is usually injected once a day for up to 2 years. To help you remember to use teriparatide injection, use it at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part you do not understand. Use teriparatide injection exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
- You can inject teriparatide injection yourself or have a friend or relative perform the injections. Before you use teriparatide injection yourself the first time, read the User Manual that comes with it. Ask your doctor to show you or the person who will be injecting the medication how to inject it. The User Manual includes solutions to problems you may have when you try to use teriparatide injection. Be sure to ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about how to inject this medication.
- Teriparatide injection controls osteoporosis but does not cure it. Continue to use teriparatide injection even if you feel well. Do not stop using teriparatide injection without talking to your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine
- This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
- Tell your doctor if you are allergic to teriparatide, mannitol, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in teriparatide injection.
- Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: certain anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as heparin; digoxin hydrochlorothiazide; certain medications for seizures such as phenytoin; certain steroids such as prednisone; certain vitamins such as vitamins A and D. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: certain anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as heparin; digoxin hydrochlorothiazide; certain medications for seizures such as phenytoin; certain steroids such as prednisone; certain vitamins such as vitamins A and D. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a bone disease such as Paget's disease, bone cancer or a cancer that has spread to the bone, or radiation therapy of the bones, any condition that causes you to have too much calcium in your blood, such as disease of the parathyroid gland; kidney or urinary tract stones; and liver, kidney, or heart disease.
- Teriparatide injection should not be used during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.
- You should know that teriparatide injection may cause fast heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more common when you first start using teriparatide injection. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up. Be sure a chair is nearby when you inject teriparatide injection so you can sit down if you get dizzy.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
- You should eat and drink plenty of foods and drinks that are rich in calcium and vitamin D while you are using teriparatide injection. Your doctor will tell you which foods and drinks are good sources of these nutrients and how many servings you need each day. If you find it difficult to eat enough of these foods, tell your doctor. In that case, your doctor may prescribe or recommend a supplement.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
- Use the missed dose as soon as you remember it that day. However, if the day has already passed, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Never inject more than one dose per day.
What side effects can this medication cause?
- Teriparatide injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- Pain
- Weakness
- Heartburn or Sour Stomach
- Leg Cramps
- Dizziness
- Depression
- Redness, pain, swelling, bruising, a few drops of blood or itching at the injection site
- Back Spasms
- Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- Chest pain
- Fainting
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Lack of Energy
- Muscle Weakness
- Purple net-like pattern, painful lumps, or sores on the skin
- Teriparatide injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
- Ref: MedlinePlus
