Fortical
Calcitonin
Calcitonin nasal
What is Calcitonin?
Calcitonin is a man-made form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the thyroid gland.
Calcitonin Nasal Spray is used to treat osteoporosis in women who have been in menopause for at least 5 years. It should be used along with adequate calcium and vitamin D intake.
Calcitonin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
To make sure you are not allergic to Calcitonin, your doctor may perform an allergy skin test before your first dose of Calcitonin Nasal Spray.
Before using Calcitonin, tell your doctor if you have any nasal or sinus problems such as nasal deformities, a chronic infection, or nasal pain.
Avoid using any other nasal sprays or medicines at the same time you use Calcitonin unless your doctor has told you to.
Call your doctor at once if you have any type of severe irritation of your nose, or if you feel light-headed or faint.
Less serious nasal irritation is more likely to occur, such as minor bleeding, redness, itching, tenderness, dryness, crusting, scabs, or nasal congestion.
To be sure Calcitonin is not causing harmful side effects to the inside of your nose, your doctor may want to check your nasal passages often. Visit your doctor regularly.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to salmon calcitonin.
To make sure Calcitonin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia); or
- any nasal or sinus problems such as nasal deformities, a chronic infection, or nasal pain.
Using Calcitonin may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Calcitonin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.
It is not known whether calcitonin nasal passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
To make sure you are not allergic to calcitonin, your doctor may perform an allergy skin test before your first dose of this medicine.
Calcitonin comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Store unopened bottle of Calcitonin in the refrigerator but do not allow it to freeze.
Once you put the bottle and pump assembly together, you may keep the medicine at room temperature, away from light and heat. Store the bottle upright with the pump attached.
Before your first use of the assembled bottle and pump, you must prime the spray. Allow the medicine to reach room temperature before priming.
To prime Calcitonin, press the pump at least 5 times until a fine mist appears. Prime the spray only before your first use of the newly assembled bottle.
To use the nasal spray:
- Blow your nose gently. Keep your head upright and insert the tip of bottle into one nostril. Hold the nasal spray upright with your first and second fingers on each side of the pump and your thumb on the bottom of the bottle.
- Pump the spray unit firmly to spray the medicine into your nostril. You do not need to sniff or inhale deeply.
Do not blow your nose for at least a few minutes after using the nasal spray.
If the spray gets in your eyes or mouth or on your skin, rinse with water.
Calcitonin is usually given as one spray per day into only one of your nostrils. Use the other nostril the next day and continue alternating back and forth for each daily dose.
Calcitonin spray delivers a fine mist into the nose. Even if you do not feel the spray while using it, the medication is still being absorbed by your nasal passages.
Each bottle contains 30 doses of Calcitonin. Throw away the medicine after 30 uses, even if there is still medicine left in the bottle.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful side effects to the inside of your nose, your doctor may want to check your nasal passages often.
Your doctor may have you take extra vitamin D while you are using Calcitonin. Take only the amount of vitamin D that your doctor has prescribed.
What should I avoid while using Calcitonin?
Avoid using any other nasal sprays or nasal medicines at the same time you use Calcitonin unless your doctor has told you to.
Calcitonin side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Calcitonin: hives; fast heartbeats; feeling lightheaded; chest pain, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- severe nasal irritation; or
- low levels of calcium in your blood--numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth, fast or slow heart rate, muscle tightness or contraction, overactive reflexes.
Common Calcitonin side effects may include:
- bleeding from your nose;
- runny or stuffy nose;
- dryness, itching, tenderness, or general discomfort of your nose; or
- crusting, scabs, or sores inside your nose.
What other drugs will affect Calcitonin?
Other drugs may interact with calcitonin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
