Created at:1/13/2025
Calcitonin injection is a hormone medication that helps regulate calcium levels in your body and strengthen your bones. It's a synthetic version of a hormone your thyroid gland naturally produces, designed to slow down bone breakdown and reduce dangerously high calcium levels in your blood.
This medication works like a gentle brake system for your bones, helping them stay stronger while managing calcium balance. Your doctor might prescribe it when your body needs extra help maintaining healthy bone density or controlling calcium levels that have gotten too high.
Calcitonin is a hormone that acts as your body's natural calcium regulator. Your thyroid gland produces this hormone to help control how much calcium stays in your blood and how much gets stored in your bones.
Think of calcitonin as a traffic controller for calcium in your body. When calcium levels get too high, calcitonin steps in to direct more calcium into your bones and reduce the amount circulating in your bloodstream. The synthetic version used in injections works the same way, just with a bit more predictable timing and dosing.
This medication belongs to a class of drugs called bone resorption inhibitors. That means it helps slow down the natural process where your body breaks down old bone tissue, giving your bones more time to stay strong and dense.
Calcitonin injection treats several conditions related to calcium and bone health. The most common use is for treating hypercalcemia, which means having too much calcium in your blood.
Your doctor might prescribe calcitonin injection if you have developed hypercalcemia due to cancer, overactive parathyroid glands, or prolonged bed rest. This condition can make you feel weak, confused, or nauseated, and calcitonin helps bring those calcium levels back to a safer range.
The medication is also used for Paget's disease of bone, a condition where your bones grow too quickly and become weak or deformed. In this case, calcitonin helps slow down the abnormal bone growth and can reduce bone pain.
Some doctors prescribe calcitonin for severe osteoporosis when other treatments haven't worked well enough. While not the first choice for osteoporosis, it can provide additional bone protection for people who need extra help maintaining bone density.
Calcitonin works by binding to specific receptors on bone cells called osteoclasts. These cells normally break down old bone tissue as part of your body's natural bone remodeling process.
When calcitonin attaches to these cells, it essentially tells them to slow down their bone-breaking activity. This gives your bone-building cells more time to create new, strong bone tissue without as much interference from the breakdown process.
The medication also affects your kidneys, helping them hold onto less calcium and excrete more through your urine. This double action - less bone breakdown and more calcium elimination - helps bring high calcium levels back to normal range.
Calcitonin is considered a moderately strong medication for calcium control. It works more quickly than many oral bone medications, often showing effects within hours to days rather than weeks or months.
Calcitonin injection is typically given as a shot under your skin or into your muscle. Your healthcare provider will show you or a family member how to give the injection properly if you'll be doing it at home.
The injection can be given at any time of day, but try to give it at the same time each day to help you remember. You don't need to take it with food, though some people find it easier to remember if they link it to a meal.
Before giving the injection, let the medication warm to room temperature for about 15-30 minutes. Cold medication can be more uncomfortable when injected. Always use a new, sterile needle for each injection and rotate injection sites to prevent irritation.
Store unused calcitonin in your refrigerator, but don't let it freeze. Keep it in the original container to protect it from light, and check the expiration date before each use.
The length of calcitonin treatment depends entirely on your specific condition and how well you respond to the medication. For acute hypercalcemia, you might only need it for a few days to weeks.
If you're using calcitonin for Paget's disease, treatment often continues for several months. Your doctor will monitor your symptoms and blood tests to determine when you've gotten the maximum benefit from the medication.
For osteoporosis support, some people use calcitonin for extended periods, but this is less common since other medications tend to be more effective for long-term bone protection. Your doctor will regularly evaluate whether calcitonin is still the best option for your situation.
Never stop taking calcitonin suddenly without talking to your doctor first. Depending on your condition, stopping abruptly could cause calcium levels to rise again or bone symptoms to return.
Most people tolerate calcitonin injection well, but like any medication, it can cause side effects. The good news is that serious side effects are relatively uncommon.
Common side effects you might experience include nausea, especially when first starting the medication, and redness or swelling at the injection site. These symptoms often improve as your body adjusts to the medication.
Here are the more frequent side effects that people report:
These common side effects usually fade within a few days to weeks as your body gets used to the medication. If they persist or become bothersome, your doctor can suggest ways to manage them.
Less common but more serious side effects can occur, though they affect fewer people. These require immediate medical attention and include severe allergic reactions, persistent vomiting, or signs of low calcium levels like muscle cramps or tingling.
Rare but serious side effects include:
If you experience any of these serious side effects, contact your healthcare provider immediately or seek emergency medical care.
Calcitonin isn't right for everyone, and certain health conditions or situations make it unsafe to use. Your doctor will carefully review your medical history before prescribing this medication.
You should not use calcitonin injection if you're allergic to calcitonin or any ingredients in the medication. People with a history of severe allergic reactions to salmon or fish proteins should be especially cautious, as some calcitonin is derived from salmon.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding require special consideration. While calcitonin hasn't been proven harmful during pregnancy, it's typically avoided unless the benefits clearly outweigh any potential risks to your baby.
Certain medical conditions may make calcitonin inappropriate for you:
Your doctor will also consider other medications you're taking, as some drugs can interact with calcitonin and affect how well it works or increase side effect risks.
Calcitonin injection is available under several brand names, with Miacalcin being the most commonly prescribed version in the United States. This brand contains synthetic calcitonin derived from salmon.
Other brand names include Calcimar and Cibacalcin, though availability varies by country and region. Some pharmacies may also carry generic versions of calcitonin injection, which contain the same active ingredient but may cost less.
Regardless of which brand your doctor prescribes, the medication works the same way. The main differences might be in the packaging, storage requirements, or inactive ingredients that don't affect the medication's effectiveness.
Several other medications can treat the same conditions as calcitonin, and your doctor might consider these alternatives depending on your specific situation. The best choice depends on your condition, other health factors, and how well you've responded to previous treatments.
For hypercalcemia, bisphosphonates like pamidronate or zoledronic acid are often very effective. These medications work differently than calcitonin but also help reduce calcium levels and strengthen bones.
If you have osteoporosis, newer medications like denosumab or teriparatide might be more appropriate for long-term bone protection. These drugs often provide stronger bone-building effects than calcitonin for preventing fractures.
For Paget's disease, bisphosphonates are usually the first-line treatment, with calcitonin reserved for people who can't tolerate or don't respond well to bisphosphonates.
Calcitonin and bisphosphonates work differently and each has its own advantages. Neither is universally "better" - the best choice depends on your specific condition and individual factors.
Calcitonin works faster than most bisphosphonates, making it particularly useful for acute situations like severe hypercalcemia. You might see effects within hours to days, while bisphosphonates can take weeks to show their full benefits.
However, bisphosphonates are generally more effective for long-term bone protection and fracture prevention. They tend to provide stronger, more lasting effects on bone density, which is why they're usually the first choice for osteoporosis treatment.
Calcitonin may be better tolerated by some people, especially those who experience stomach upset with oral bisphosphonates. The injection route can also be helpful for people who have trouble absorbing oral medications.
Q1:Is Calcitonin Safe for People with Kidney Disease?
Calcitonin requires careful consideration in people with kidney disease. While it's not automatically prohibited, your doctor will need to monitor you more closely and possibly adjust the dosage.
Your kidneys help process and eliminate calcitonin from your body, so reduced kidney function can affect how the medication works. People with mild to moderate kidney disease can often use calcitonin safely with appropriate monitoring, but those with severe kidney disease may need alternative treatments.
Your doctor will likely check your kidney function with blood tests before starting calcitonin and periodically during treatment to ensure it's still safe for you to continue.
Q2:What Should I Do if I Accidentally Use Too Much Calcitonin?
If you accidentally give yourself too much calcitonin, contact your doctor or poison control center immediately. Taking too much can cause your calcium levels to drop too low, which can be dangerous.
Signs of too much calcitonin include severe nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, tingling around your mouth or in your fingers, or feeling unusually weak. These symptoms suggest your calcium levels may have dropped too low and need immediate medical attention.
Don't try to treat an overdose yourself. Your healthcare provider may need to monitor your calcium levels with blood tests and possibly give you calcium supplements to bring your levels back to normal.
Q3:What Should I Do if I Miss a Dose of Calcitonin?
If you miss a dose of calcitonin, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule.
Never double up on doses to make up for a missed one. Taking two doses close together increases your risk of side effects and could cause your calcium levels to drop too low.
If you frequently forget doses, consider setting a phone alarm or linking your injection time to a daily routine like breakfast or bedtime. Consistent timing helps maintain steady medication levels in your body.
Q4:When Can I Stop Taking Calcitonin?
The timing for stopping calcitonin depends entirely on why you're taking it and how well it's working for your condition. Never stop taking calcitonin on your own without discussing it with your doctor first.
For acute conditions like hypercalcemia, your doctor will monitor your calcium levels and symptoms to determine when the medication is no longer needed. This might be anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
For chronic conditions like Paget's disease or osteoporosis, your doctor will evaluate your response to treatment through symptoms, blood tests, and possibly bone density scans. Some people may transition to other medications, while others might take breaks from treatment.
Your doctor will create a plan for stopping calcitonin that's right for your specific situation, possibly including gradual dose reduction or transitioning to alternative treatments.
Q5:Can I Travel with Calcitonin Injection?
Yes, you can travel with calcitonin injection, but it requires some planning to keep the medication properly stored and accessible. Since calcitonin needs refrigeration, you'll need to pack it carefully.
For air travel, pack your calcitonin in a small cooler or insulated bag with ice packs in your carry-on luggage. Bring your prescription label and a letter from your doctor explaining your need for the medication and injection supplies.
Consider bringing extra medication in case of travel delays, and research whether your destination has pharmacies that can fill your prescription if needed. Some hotels can provide refrigerator access for storing your medication safely.