Calcitonin
What is calcitonin and what's it used for?
Calcitonin is used as a short-term treatment (for 2–4 weeks) to help prevent bone loss if you're immobilised following an osteoporotic fracture.
It may be given by injection:
- under the skin (subcutaneous injection)
- into a muscle (intramuscular injection).
In the UK, calcitonin is no longer available as a nasal spray for the long-term treatment of osteoporosis.
Side-effects and risks
Possible side-effects include:
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhoea
- abdominal pain
- flushing
- dizziness
- headache
- musculoskeletal pain
- taste disturbance.