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Calcitonin

This form:

Pronounced

"kal-sih-TOE-nin"

Common brand names:

Miacalcin

Uses

This medication is used to treat brittle bone disease (osteoporosis) in women who are at least 5 years past "the change of life" (menopause). Calcitonin works by slowing bone loss to help maintain strong bones and reduce your risk of fractures.

This product has been withdrawn from the Canadian market due to safety problems.

How to Use This Medication

Read the patient and product information sheets if available from your pharmacist before you start using calcitonin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication is for use in the nose as directed, usually one spray in one nostril each day, alternating nostrils daily. It is recommended to use this medication at the lowest effective dosage and for the shortest possible duration to treat your condition. Patients treated long-term with this medication have shown a rare risk of developing cancer. Discuss the benefits and risks of long term treatment with this medication.

Remove a new bottle from the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature. Follow the instructions on how to prime the pump the first time you use a new bottle. Once the pump is primed, it does not have to be reprimed if the bottle is properly stored in an upright position. Consult your pharmacist if you have any questions.

To use the nasal spray, remove the protective cap, keep your head upright and insert the tip into a nostril. Press down firmly on the pump to deliver the medication. Replace the protective cap. Use the other nostril the next day.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day.

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Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

This information is intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names in other countries may contain different ingredients.

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Information expires December 2024.