Drug Name

Miacalcin (Calcitonin)

Drug Uses

Miacalcin is used for treating Paget disease, postmenopausal osteoporosis (fragile or brittle bones), as well as high blood calcium levels. It may as well as be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How Taken

Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not halt using this medication or increase your dose without consulting your doctor.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Miacalcin is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that acts primarily on bone. Bone is in a constant state of remodeling, whereby aged bone is removed by cells called osteoclasts, as well as recent bone is laid down by cells called osteoblasts. Miacalcin inhibits bone removal by osteoclasts, as well as promotes bone formation by osteoblasts. In women with osteoporosis, the net result of using calcitonin is an increase in bone mass (density).

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose as well as are using 2 doses daily: take the missed dose incase you remember within 2 hours of when you should possess injected the dose. Incase you do not remember until later than 2 hours, skip the missed dose as well as resume your usual dosing schedule. Incase you are using 1 dose daily as well as miss a dose: take as soon as remembered unless you do not remember until the following day. In that case, skip the missed dose as well as resume your usual schedule. Incase you take 1 dose every other day as well as miss a dose: take as soon as remembered incase you remember the alike day. Incase not, inject the dose on the "off" day as well as skip the next day. Then continue on with this schedule. Incase you take 1 dose daily on 3 days a week as well as miss a dose: take the missed dose on the next day as well as move each subsequent injection back a day for that week. Resume your usual schedule the next week. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Storage

Refrigerate between 36 to 46 degrees F (2 to 8 degrees C). Do not freeze.

Warnings/Precautions

Tell your doctor incase you have: kidney problems, any allergies (especially drug allergies). This drug should be used only incase clearly needed during pregnancy. It is not known incase this medication appears in breast milk; consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Likely Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting as well as flushing may occur the earliest several days as your body adjusts to the medication. These effects may be relieved somewhat by using the injection just before bedtime. Other side effects may include loss of appetite, salty taste, diarrhea, stomach upset, headache, dizziness, fever, eye pain, itchy ear lobes, tender hands or feet, increased urination or redness or inflammation at the injection site. Incase any of these effects continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor incase you develop: chills, trouble breathing, hives or a skin rash. In the unlikely event you possess an allergic reaction to this drug, seek health examination attention immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. Incase you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

More Information

For treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, vitamin D as well as calcium supplements may be recommended. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist about this. Closely follow any dietary recommendations. While using this, your doctor may schedule lab tests to monitor the effects of the medication.