Teriparatide
About Teriparatide
Teriparatide is a prescription medicine injected under the skin to treat severe osteoporosis in men and postmenopausal women who are at a high risk for bone fractures. It is also used to treat bone thinning caused by the long-term use of steroid medications. Teriparatide helps increase bone mass and strengthen bones, making them less likely to break.
You will need to inject Teriparatide once every day, and it is best to do this at around the same time each day. It can be injected with or without food. Along with Teriparatide, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes such as eating a calcium-rich diet, taking vitamin D supplements, and engaging in light weight-bearing exercises to get the best results.
While using Teriparatide, some people may experience mild side effects like temporary dizziness or joint pain. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you notice serious symptoms, such as signs of too much calcium in your blood, which include constant nausea, vomiting, constipation, or severe muscle weakness.
Before starting Teriparatide, tell your doctor if you have ever had kidney stones, bone cancer, Paget's disease, or radiation therapy involving your bones. Do not take this if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, a child or young adult whose bones are still growing, or if you have pre-existing high calcium levels in your blood.
Teriparatide may interact with certain heart drugs like digoxin, so a complete list of your current medications must be reviewed by your healthcare provider. It is also highly recommended that elderly patients or individuals with moderate kidney problems consult their doctor to ensure safe use.
Uses of Teriparatide
Medicinal Benefits
Teriparatide helps strengthen bones and reduce the risk of fractures in people with osteoporosis and other conditions causing bone weakness. By promoting new bone formation, it supports improved mobility, independence, and long-term bone health.
Benefits may include:
- Helps build new bone and increase bone strength.
- Reduces the risk of fractures, particularly in the spine and other bones affected by osteoporosis.
- Supports improved bone density and overall skeletal health.
- Helps maintain mobility and independence during daily activities.
- May help reduce pain and discomfort associated with osteoporosis-related fractures.
- Promotes long-term bone health and improves overall quality of life.
Directions for Use
- Use Teriparatide as directed by your doctor or as per the labelled instructions.
- It is recommended to administer Teriparatide once daily at the same time each day or as advised by your doctor.
- Teriparatide should be administered subcutaneously (under the skin) into the abdomen or thigh.
- Change the injection site each time to prevent the formation of hard lumps.
Storage
Side Effects of Teriparatide
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up quickly
- Nausea or mild stomach upset
- Joint pain or muscle cramps
- Mild redness, swelling, or itching where you injected the medicine
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Signs of high calcium levels (such as constant nausea, vomiting, severe constipation, unusual fatigue, or muscle weakness)
- A fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- Severe dizziness or fainting spells shortly after your injection
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Inspect the solution before use: Always check the Teriparatide solution before injecting. It should be completely clear and colorless. Do not use it if it appears cloudy, discolored, or contains particles.
- Take the first doses with caution: Inject your first few doses in a place where you can sit or lie down, as some people may experience temporary dizziness or a fast heartbeat after the injection.
- Rotate injection sites regularly: Change the injection site each day by alternating between the thigh and lower abdomen to help reduce skin irritation, bruising, and discomfort.
- Do not share your injection device: Never share your Teriparatide pen or needles with anyone else, even if the needle has been changed, as this may spread infections.
- Store the pen correctly: Return the pen to the refrigerator immediately after each use to help maintain the medicine's stability and effectiveness.
Drug Interactions
- Heart medicines (e.g., digoxin): Teriparatide may temporarily increase calcium levels in the blood, which can raise the risk of digoxin toxicity and irregular heartbeats. Your doctor may monitor you more closely during treatment.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Teriparatide. Alcohol intake, along with Teriparatide, may cause increased drowsiness.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is advised not to take Teriparatide if you are pregnant unless prescribed by the doctor as Teriparatide is a pregnancy category C drug. Your doctor will prescribe Teriparatide only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt isn’t known if Teriparatide passes into breast milk. If it does, it may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child.
Driving
cautionIt may cause dizziness, fatigue and blurring of vision; do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel drowsy.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Teriparatide should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment/liver disease. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionTell your doctor if you have kidney disorders as after checking the health condition, a doctor will decide that this medicine is safe to prescribe or not.
Children
cautionTeriparatide should not be given to children or adolescents whose age is less than 18 years. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake: Include enough calcium- and vitamin D-rich foods in your diet or take supplements if recommended by your doctor, as these nutrients are essential for building new bone while using Teriparatide.
- Engage in weight-bearing exercise: Participate in regular low-impact activities such as walking, dancing, or climbing stairs to help strengthen bones and improve balance.
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol: Do not smoke and limit alcohol consumption, as both can interfere with bone formation and weaken bones over time.
- Prevent falls at home: Make your home safer by removing loose rugs, keeping walkways free of clutter, and ensuring hallways and bathrooms are well lit to help reduce the risk of falls and fractures.
Special Advise
Certain diagnostic test like blood test measures the level of calcitonin in your blood and bone density scan is used to check bone mineral density (BMD).
Teriparatide should not be prescribed for patients at increased baseline risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer).
Clinical monitoring of urine tests or serum electrolyte concentrations is recommended.
Do not take Teriparatide for longer durations unless prescribed by your doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Osteoporosis: It is a medical condition that causes thinning and weakening of the bones. The chance of developing osteoporosis increases with age, after menopause or by taking corticosteroid medications (such as prednisone) for a long period. If proper treatment is not provided then it can even result in broken bones. In starting days, osteoporosis does not show any symptoms. However, if proper treatment is not provided then it can even lead to broken bones. In Osteoporosis, bones can break at any time even during daily activities like lifting or even from minor activities. Fractures usually occur at the hip, spine or wrist which can even lead to stooped posture (‘dowager’s hump’) and loss of movement.
FAQs
Teriparatide is used to treat osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones).
Teriparatide contains Teriparatide is a synthetic form of a natural human hormone called parathyroid hormone (PTH). It works by increasing the number and activity of bone-forming cells (osteoblasts). This strengthens the bones and minimizes the risk of fractures.
Teriparatide can cause kidney stones due to excess calcium deposition when used for a prolonged period. Please consult your doctor before taking Teriparatide as a daily supplement if you have any kidney problems or a history of kidney stones.
Persons whose age is more than 35 years have low estrogen levels, female reaching menopause, too much consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine, use of glucocorticoid and lack of calcium and vitamin D in the foods are some of the factors that can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Teriparatide is a part of a complete program that includes modifications in diet, regular exercise, bone mineral density testing and intake of calcium and vitamin supplements. Follow all the guidelines given by the doctor very closely.
Yes, Teriparatide may increase serum calcium, urinary calcium, and serum uric acid. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Teriparatide.
You are not recommended to stop taking Teriparatide without consulting your doctor, as stopping early might affect the treatment's effectiveness. Always follow your doctor’s instructions.
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become thin and weak. The risk of developing it grows with age, after menopause, or from long-term use of corticosteroid medications like prednisone.
Teriparatide is not a steroid, it belongs to a class of medications called anabolic (promoting bone formation) agent.
Store Teriparatide in a sterile, airtight tamper-proof container at a temperature of 2°C -8°C. Do not freeze.
Teriparatide is not advised to use in some patients dealing with hyperparathyroidism, malignancy (cancer), metabolic bone disorder, or orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when standing up from sitting or lying down), renal impairment, urolithiasis (stone formation in the bladder or urinary tract). However, please consult a doctor if you have any concerns.
You are recommended to inform your doctor about any other medications, or supplements, you are using before starting Teriparatide. This ensures potential interactions or side effects are avoided. Always follow your doctor’s guidance when combining treatments.
Teriparatide has side effects such as nausea, joint pain, vomiting, leg cramps, swelling, upset stomach, diarrhoea, constipation, running nose, cough, and throat infection. These are temporary and do not require any medical treatment as they gradually reduce over time. Please, consult a doctor if these side effects persist.
It is highly recommended to inject your first few doses of Teriparatide in a setting where you can sit or lie down immediately. Some people experience temporary dizziness or a fast heartbeat shortly after injecting, which usually passes quickly. Talk to your doctor if this continues.
Yes, you can travel with Teriparatide, but you must keep it cold. Use a travel cooler bag with ice packs to keep the pen refrigerated between 2°C to 8°C. Do not allow the pen to freeze or sit in direct sunlight. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for specific travel tips.
Clinical guidelines suggest that Teriparatide should typically be used for a maximum of two years over your lifetime. Your doctor will determine the exact duration of your treatment. Talk to your doctor to understand your specific treatment plan.
Do not inject the medicine if the liquid is cloudy, colored, or contains visible floating particles. This could mean the medicine is no longer safe or effective. Discard the pen and use a new one, or talk to your pharmacist for assistance.
No, you must use a new, sterile needle for every single injection. Reusing needles increases the risk of serious skin infections, blocked needles, and inaccurate dosing. Talk to your pharmacist if you need more needles.
Teriparatide does not cure osteoporosis, but it works to build new bone, increase bone mineral density, and lower your risk of fractures. Your doctor may transition you to a different medication after your treatment is complete. Talk to your doctor about your long-term bone health plan.
No, you must not use Teriparatide if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you suspect you are pregnant while using Teriparatide, stop injecting it immediately and talk to your doctor.
You can inject Teriparatide at any time of day, with or without food. The most important factor is consistency; try to inject it at around the same time every day to keep a steady level of the medicine in your body. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need help setting up a routine.
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