Calcitonin

Calcitonin
Examples
How It Works
Why It Is Used
How Well It Works
Side Effects
What To Think About
Credits

Content provided by Healthwise

Examples

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Cibacalcin	calcitonin-human

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Miacalcin	calcitonin-salmon

How It Works

Calcitonin is a hormone that is used to decrease bone destruction caused by cancer that has spread (metastatic cancer). It also has some direct pain-relieving actions. It is given as a shot or as a nasal spray.

Why It Is Used

Calcitonin helps decrease bone pain caused by metastatic cancer.

How Well It Works

Calcitonin helps relieve bone pain caused by metastatic cancer. But the benefits of calcitonin may take many weeks to notice, and they often go away soon after the medication is stopped.

Side Effects

Side effects of calcitonin are not common but can include:

Redness, tenderness, swelling, or warmth at the injection site.
Nausea and vomiting.
Decreased appetite.
Stomach pain.
Unusual taste sensation, such as a salty or metallic taste.
Increased urination.
Flushing of the face, ears, hands, or feet.
Tingling or tenderness of palms of hands or soles of feet.
Headache.
Nasal congestion.
Dizziness.
Weakness.
Chills.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

The benefits of calcitonin usually go away soon after you stop taking it.

Calcitonin should not be used by women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Calcitonin should not be given to children.

Injections of calcitonin must be taken daily or at least several times a week. You or a family member usually will learn how to give the shot properly. It is important not to give the shot in the same place twice in a row, because this could damage your muscle tissue.

Calcitonin as a nasal spray must be used several times a week.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Credits

Author	Cynthia Tank
Editor	Renée Spengler, RN, BSN
Associate Editor	Michele Cronen
Associate Editor	Lisa Shaw
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology
Last Updated	November 4, 2005

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Last updated:	November 04, 2005
Author:	Cynthia Tank
Reviewed By:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine, Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology
Editors:	Renée Spengler, RN, BSN, Lisa Shaw

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