Tymlos (abaloparatide) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat osteoporosis. The drug comes as a liquid solution for injection under the skin. It’s usually given once per day.
Tymlos is used to treat osteoporosis in adults with a high risk of fracture (such as females* in postmenopause) and for whom other treatments haven’t worked.
Tymlos contains the active ingredient abaloparatide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) It belongs to a group of drugs called parathyroid hormone-related protein analogs.
This article describes the standard dosage of Tymlos, as well as its strength and how it’s given. To learn more about Tymlos, see this in-depth article.
* In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.
Below are details about Tymlos’s dosage.
What’s the form of Tymlos?
Tymlos is only available in one form. It comes as a liquid solution inside a prefilled pen that’s given as an injection under your skin.
What strength does Tymlos come in?
Tymlos is only available in one strength of 2,000 micrograms per milliliter (mcg/mL). Each pen contains 30 doses of 80 mcg each.
What’s the usual dosage of Tymlos?
The information below describes the Tymlos dosage that’s most commonly used and recommended. But be sure to inject the dose your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for osteoporosis
The dosage of Tymlos for treating osteoporosis is 80 mcg injected under the skin once per day.
Is Tymlos used long term?
Yes, Tymlos is usually used as a long-term treatment, but only for a maximum of 2 years. If you need additional treatment for your condition beyond 2 years, your doctor will recommend an appropriate medication.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Tymlos’s dosage.
What’s the best time of day to inject Tymlos?
You can inject Tymlos any time of day, but it’s best to give yourself your injection at the same time every day. This helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body to treat your condition.
How many doses are there in a Tymlos pen?
In each Tymlos pen, there are 30 doses. Each dose contains 80 mcg of medication.
Tymlos is given as an injection under the skin. Your Tymlos pen should be stored in the refrigerator until your first injection. When you’re ready for your first dose, take the pen out of the fridge and let it warm for 30 minutes to room temperature.
Your pen should then be kept at room temperature for 30 days, during which time, you’ll give yourself a daily dose. Each Tymlos pen contains 30 doses.
To give yourself your Tymlos dose, follow these instructions:
- Wash and dry your hands and attach a new pen needle to your Tymlos pen. You’ll need a new pen needle for each injection.
- Turn the dose knob on your pen clockwise until it no longer turns and it reads “80.” This loads the dose of the drug in the pen.
- Use an alcohol swab to clean your skin for the injection. Inject the drug into your lower abdomen at least 2 inches away from your belly button.
- Enter the pen needle straight into your skin and press and hold the green button on the end of the pen while you count to 10.
- Release the green button, remove the pen from your skin, and dispose of the pen in a sharps container.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Tymlos, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print
- use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you miss a dose of Tymlos, give yourself the injection as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. You should not double up on doses. If you have questions about whether you should skip your dose or not, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Tymlos on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not inject more Tymlos than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
What to do in case you inject too much Tymlos
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve injected too much Tymlos. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
The sections above describe the usual dosage provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Tymlos for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Tymlos without your doctor’s recommendation. Only use Tymlos exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage. Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask:
- How long can I leave my Tymlos pen at room temperature before giving myself my dose?
- If I can’t afford my medication, can I use a lower dosage?
- Is there any situation where I’d need to discontinue Tymlos?
To learn more about Tymlos, see these articles:
To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.