calcitonin injection

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to salmon calcitonin.

To make sure you are not allergic to this medication, your doctor may perform an allergy skin test before your first dose of calcitonin injection.

Calcitonin injection is not a cure for Paget's disease and you may have a relapse, especially if your body forms antibodies and you become immune to calcitonin. Talk with your doctor at any time if you think the medication is not working as well as it did before.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your urine may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Calcitonin injection can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

It is important to use calcitonin injection regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Calcitonin is a man-made form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the thyroid gland.

Calcitonin injection is used to treat Paget's disease of bone, postmenopausal osteoporosis, or high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia).

Calcitonin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to salmon calcitonin.

Before using calcitonin injection, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any food or drugs. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether calcitonin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Calcitonin may slow breast milk production. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

To make sure you are not allergic to this medication, your doctor may perform an allergy skin test before your first dose of calcitonin injection.

This medication is given as an injection under the skin. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Calcitonin injection is not a cure for Paget's disease and you may have a relapse, especially if your body forms antibodies and you become immune to calcitonin. Talk with your doctor at any time if you think the medication is not working as well as it did before.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your urine may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

It is important to use calcitonin injection regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Store this medication in the refrigerator and do not allow it to freeze.

Use the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea or vomiting.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using calcitonin injection.

Calcitonin injection can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

You may have increased bone pain during the first few months of treatment with calcitonin injection. This is not a sign that the medication isn't working properly.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• feeling light-headed, fainting; or
• muscle stiffness.

Less serious side effects may include:

• warmth, redness, itching, or tingly feeling under your skin;
• nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain;
• vomiting;
• skin rash or itching;
• increased urination, especially at night;
• eye pain;
• swelling in your feet; or
• swelling or irritation of the skin where an injection was given.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

There may be other drugs that can affect calcitonin injection. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about calcitonin injection.