What is teriparatide?
Teriparatide is a man-made form of a hormone called parathyroid that exists naturally in the body. Teriparatide increases bone density and increases bone strength to help prevent fractures.
Teriparatide is used to treat osteoporosis in men and women who have a high risk of bone fracture.
Teriparatide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about teriparatide?
This medication has been found to cause an increased risk of bone cancer in animal studies. It is not known if this risk is also increased in humans treated with teriparatide. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.
Teriparatide 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.
Avoid smoking cigarettes, or try to quit smoking altogether. Smoking can reduce your bone mineral density, making fractures more likely.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which also may affect your bone mineral density.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using teriparatide?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to teriparatide.
Before using teriparatide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
Paget's disease or other bone disorders (besides osteoporosis);
high levels of calcium or alkaline phosphatase in your blood;
a condition called hyperparathyroidism;
a bone disease other than osteoporosis;
a history of bone cancer or radiation treatment involving your bones; or
if you have ever had kidney stones.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use teriparatide.
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 teriparatide passes into breast milk. Do not use teriparatide without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
This medication has been found to cause an increased risk of bone cancer in animal studies. It is not known if this risk is also increased in humans treated with teriparatide. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.