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What is the most important information I should know about calcitonin injection?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to salmon calcitonin. To make sure you are not allergic to this medication, your doctor may perform an allergy skin test before your first dose of calcitonin injection.

Calcitonin injection is not a cure for Paget's disease and you may have a relapse, especially if your body forms antibodies and you become immune to calcitonin. Talk with your doctor at any time if you think the medication is not working as well as it did before.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your urine may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Calcitonin injection can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

It is important to use calcitonin injection regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What is calcitonin injection?

Calcitonin is a man-made form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the thyroid gland.

Calcitonin injection is used to treat Paget's disease of bone, postmenopausal osteoporosis, or high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia).

Calcitonin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using calcitonin injection?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to salmon calcitonin.

Before using calcitonin injection, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any food or drugs. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether calcitonin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Calcitonin may slow breast milk production. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use calcitonin injection?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

To make sure you are not allergic to this medication, your doctor may perform an allergy skin test before your first dose of calcitonin injection.

This medication is given as an injection under the skin. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Calcitonin injection is not a cure for Paget's disease and you may have a relapse, especially if your body forms antibodies and you become immune to calcitonin. Talk with your doctor at any time if you think the medication is not working as well as it did before.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your urine may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

It is important to use calcitonin injection regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Store this medication in the refrigerator and do not allow it to freeze.