Home Medical Information Medications CALCITONIN (Miacalcin)

CALCITONIN (Miacalcin®)

What is it?

CALCITONIN (Miacalcin) is a nose spray that regulates the movement of calcium between blood and the bones.

Brand Names and International Availability:

Miacalcin (US); Cadens (France) Calsynar (Australia; Benin; Burkina-Faso; Ethiopia; Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Hong-Kong; Ivory-Coast; Kenya; Liberia; Malawi; Mali; Mauritania; Mauritius; Morocco; Niger; Nigeria; Senegal; Seychelles; Sierra-Leone; Sudan; Tanzania; Tunia; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe) Miacalcic (New-Zealand) Zycalcit (India)

How does it work?

Calcitonin or Miacalcin is a peptide hormone that interferes with osteoclasts and inhibits bone resorption. It prevents or reduces the release of calcium from the bones.

Dosage:

The normal dose is 200 IU, one spray, in one nostril daily for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in females greater than 5 years postmenopause with low bone mass. It is also available in an injectable form.

How should I take it?

DO NOT TAKE BY MOUTH. Place the nozzle into the nostril with your head upright and depress the pump toward the bottle. You do not have to inhale while spraying. Use medicine in only 1 nostril each day. Alternating nostrils will help prevent irritation and dryness.

Contraindications:

Miacalcin should not be used in those with a fish allergy.

The use of Miacalcin has not been studied in pregnant woman.

It is not known if this drug is excreted in human milk.

Drug Interactions:

Formal drug interaction studies have not yet been done with the nasal form of Miacalcin.

Possible side effects:

These side effects are not considered serious but are certainly annoying for those experiencing them. The most frequently reported side effects include diarrhea or constipation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, back pain, dryness, redness, or crusting in the nose, nasal sores, irritation or infection, headache, muscle aches or pain, nosebleeds and stuffy nose.

More serious side effects that you should report right away include chest pain, depression, difficulty breathing, wheezing, eye infection, weeping eyes, fever, chills, pain or burning on passing urine, rash or itching (hives) and unusual tiredness.

Signs of a possible allergic reaction are rash, swelling and difficulty breathing. These symptoms should be reported immediately.

Precautions & Special Notes:

Store unopened Miacalcin in the refrigerator between 36 and 46°F, do not freeze. Once it has been opened, you can keep the bottle at room temperature until the medicine is finished.

For more information:

RxList Miacalcin Virtual Drugstore Miacalcin Stay Healthy.com

References:
Gold Standard Multimedia Inc.
Virtual Drugstore