Teriparatide (Subcutaneous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 26, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Forteo

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Calcium Regulator

Pharmacologic Class: Parathyroid

Uses for teriparatide

Teriparatide injection is used to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women who are at high risk for bone fracture. It reduces the risk of having bone and spine fracture in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Teriparatide injection is also used to increase bone mass in men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis who are at high risk for bone fracture or cannot use other osteoporosis treatments.

Teriparatide injection is also used to treat osteoporosis caused by steroid (glucocorticoid) medicine in men and women who are at high risk for bone fracture or cannot use other osteoporosis treatments.

Teriparatide is a synthetic form of the natural human parathyroid hormone. Teriparatide helps your body to form new bone, increase bone mineral density and bone strength. As a result, it reduces the chance of getting a fracture (broken bone).

Teriparatide is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using teriparatide

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For teriparatide, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to teriparatide or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of teriparatide injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established. However, use is not recommended because it may increase the risk for bone cancer in children with open epiphyses (bones are still growing).

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of teriparatide injection in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking teriparatide, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using teriparatide with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use...