Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families
Shop for Plans

Shop for Plans
Shop for your own coverage
Medical Dental Other Supplemental
Plans through your employer

Learn about the medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral, and voluntary benefits your employer may offer.

Explore coverage through work
Learn
How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics
Looking for Medicare coverage?
Shop for Medicare plans
Member Guide
Find a Doctor
Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library teriparatide

teriparatide

Pronunciation: ter i PAR a tide

Brand: Forteo

What is the most important information I should know about teriparatide?

What is the most important information I should know about teriparatide?

Avoid smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol. Smoking or heavy drinking can reduce your bone mineral density, making fractures more likely.

 What is teriparatide?

What is teriparatide?

Teriparatide is used to treat osteoporosis caused by menopause, steroid use, or gonadal failure. This medicine is for use when you have a high risk of bone fracture due to osteoporosis.

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

 What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using teriparatide?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using teriparatide?

You should not use teriparatide if you are allergic to it.

Teriparatide is not for use in children or young adults whose bones are still growing.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • Paget's disease or a bone disease other than osteoporosis;
  • bone cancer or radiation treatment;
  • a genetic condition that increases your risk of bone cancer;
  • overactive parathyroid glands;
  • high blood levels of calcium;
  • a painful skin condition caused by too much calcium;
  • kidney failure;
  • a kidney stone; or
  • an autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or psoriasis.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

 How should I use teriparatide?

How should I use teriparatide?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Teriparatide is injected under the skin. A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Teriparatide is usually given once per day at the same time each day.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all instructions.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Your healthcare provider will show you where on your body to inject teriparatide. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

Use only the injection pen provided with teriparatide. Do not transfer the medicine to a syringe or other injection device or you could get an overdose.

Teriparatide can cause you to feel dizzy or light-headed. Always give your injection at a time and place where you can sit or lie down for a short time afterward.

Each prefilled injection pen contains enough teriparatide for 28 separate injections. Throw the pen away after 28 injections, even if there is still medicine left inside.

Teriparatide may be only part of a complete treatment program that also includes diet, exercise, taking vitamin or mineral supplements, and changing certain behaviors. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Store the injection pen in a refrigerator when not in use. Take the pen out of the refrigerator only long enough to use it. After use, remove the needle, recap the pen, and return it to the refrigerator.

Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

Do not freeze teriparatide, and throw away the medicine if it has become frozen.

Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with this medicine. Teriparatide is sometimes given for only 2 years.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose on the same day you remember it. Use your next dose at the regular time and stay on your once-daily schedule. Do not use 2 doses in one day.

 What happens if I overdose?

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

 What should I avoid while using teriparatide?

What should I avoid while using teriparatide?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Avoid smoking, or try to quit. Smoking can reduce your bone mineral density, making fractures more likely.

Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol. Heavy drinking can also cause bone loss.

 What are the possible side effects of teriparatide?

What are the possible side effects of teriparatide?

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

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • bone pain;
  • new or unusual swelling or lumps under your skin;
  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out (may occur within 4 hours after injection);
  • pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest after using an injection; or
  • high calcium levels --confusion, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, lack of energy, constipation, increased thirst or urination, weight loss.

Common side effects may include:

  • nausea;
  • joint pain; or
  • pain anywhere in your body.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 What other drugs will affect teriparatide?

What other drugs will affect teriparatide?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

  • digoxin, digitalis.
  • warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); or
  • a steroid medicine (such as hydrocortisone, prednisone, methylprednisolone, and others).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect teriparatide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

 Where can I get more information?

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about teriparatide.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About The Cigna Group Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details