Calcitonincalcitonin, salmon
(kal si toe’ nin)
Apo-Calcitonin (CAN), Calcimar, Caltine (CAN), Fortical, Miacalcin, Miacalcin Nasal Spray, Osteocalcin, Salmonine
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Drug Classes
Hormone
Calcium regulator
Therapeutic Actions
The calcitonins are polypeptide hormones secreted by the thyroid; salmon calcitonin appears to be a chemically identical polypeptide to human calcitonin but with greater potency per milligram and longer duration; inhibits bone resorption; lowers elevated serum calcium in children and patients with Paget disease; increases the excretion of filtered phosphate, calcium, and sodium by the kidneys.
Indications
Treatment of Paget disease
Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in conjunction with adequate calcium and vitamin D intake to prevent loss of bone mass
Treatment of hypercalcemia, emergency treatment (injection only)
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with allergy to salmon calcitonin or fish products, lactation.
Use cautiously with renal insufficiency, osteoporosis, pernicious anemia.
Available Forms
Injection—200 units/mL; nasal spray—200 units/actuation
Dosages
Adults
Skin testing: 0.1 mL of a 10 units/mL solution injected subcutaneously.
Paget disease: Initial dose, 100 units/day IM or subcutaneously. For maintenance, 50 units/day or every other day. Actual dose should be determined by patient response.
Postmenopausal osteoporosis: 100 units every other day IM or subcutaneously, with supplemental calcium (calcium carbonate, 1.5 g/day) and vitamin D (400 units/day) or 200 units intranasally daily, alternating nostrils daily.
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