Calcitonin Nasal

In the U.S.

• Fortical
• Miacalcin

In Canada

• Miacalcin Ns

Available Dosage Forms:

• Spray

Therapeutic Class: Calcium Regulator

Pharmacologic Class: Calcitonin

Calcitonin nasal spray is used together with calcium and vitamin D to treat bone loss in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis who have been postmenopause for at least 5 years.

calcitonin is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Use calcitonin only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

calcitonin is for use only in the nose. Do not get any of it in your eyes or on your skin. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off with water right away.

Each spray bottle contains 30 doses of the medicine. Keep track of the doses you use and throw away any unused medicine after 30 doses, even if the bottle is not completely empty.

calcitonin usually comes with patient instructions. Read the instructions carefully before using calcitonin. If you have any questions about using the pump spray, ask your doctor.

To assemble the pump:

• If your medicine and its pump were not already assembled by the pharmacist, carefully follow the instructions provided with the container.
• Remove the bottle of solution from the refrigerator and let it slowly warm up to room temperature (less than 77 degrees F).
• Lift the plastic tab and pull the metal safety seal off the bottle.
• Hold the bottle upright and carefully pull the rubber stopper out of the bottle.
• Hold the spray pump unit and remove the plastic cap from the bottom of the unit.
• Hold the bottle upright and place the spray pump unit into the bottle.
• Turn the spray pump unit clockwise and tighten it until it is securely fastened.

To prepare calcitonin:

• Before you use a new bottle of calcitonin spray, the spray pump will need to be primed (started). If your pharmacist assembled the unit for you, check to see if it has already been primed by pumping the unit once. If a full spray comes out, the unit has already been primed; if not, you must prime the pump.
• To prime a new bottle, hold the bottle upright and away from you, then pump it several times until you see a faint spray.
• Do not prime the pump again before each daily use.

To use the nose spray:

• Before using the spray, blow your nose gently to clear the nostrils.
• Keeping your head in an upright position, carefully place the nozzle into one nostril.
• Press the pump toward the bottle one time. Do not spray more than once.
• Do not inhale while spraying.
• To keep the nosepiece clean, wipe it with a clean tissue and replace the dust cap after use.

Dosing

The dose of calcitonin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of calcitonin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For nasal dosage form (spray):
  • For postmenopausal osteoporosis:
    • Adults—200 International Units (IU) or 1 spray into one nostril per day. It is best to change which nostril you use each day. As an example, you should spray into the left side on the first day, then into the right side on the second day, and back to the left side on the third day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of calcitonin, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the unopened bottle in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. You may store the opened bottle in an upright position at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. An opened bottle of Miacalcin® can be stored for up to 35 days, and an opened bottle of Fortical® can be stored for up to 30 days. Throw away any unused medicine after 30 or 35 days based on the brand you are using.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that calcitonin is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. Your doctor may also want to check your nose before and during treatment with calcitonin.

Your doctor might give you an allergy skin test to see if you are allergic to calcitonin before using calcitonin.

calcitonin may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. The most serious signs of this reaction are rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using calcitonin. If these side effects occur, get emergency help at once.

calcitonin can lower your calcium levels in the blood (hypocalcemia). Check with your doctor right away if you have abdominal or stomach cramps, confusion, convulsions, difficulty breathing, mood or mental changes, muscle cramps in hands, arms, feet, legs, or face, or numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet.

calcitonin may cause irritation in the nose that can be painful and serious. Check with your doctor right away if you have more than one of the following symptoms: sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, shortness of breath, troubled breathing, or heavy nosebleeds.

calcitonin may increase your risk of having cancer. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.