This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Tymlos
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat soft, brittle bones (osteoporosis) after menopause.
- It is used to treat soft, brittle bones (osteoporosis) in men who have a high risk of breaking a bone.
- It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?
- If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have any of these health problems: High calcium levels or overactive parathyroid gland.
- If you are at risk for osteosarcoma (a type of bone cancer). This includes if you have Paget’s disease, bone problems other than osteoporosis, or your bones have not stopped growing. It also includes a history of bone cancer or radiation therapy of the bones.
- If you are able to get pregnant or breast-feed. This drug is not approved for use in these patients. If you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding, talk with your doctor.
- If the patient is a child. Do not give this drug to a child.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
- Have your blood work and other lab tests checked as you have been told by your doctor.
- Have a bone density test as you have been told by your doctor. Talk with your doctor.
- Take calcium and vitamin D as you were told by your doctor.
- Do not take this drug for longer than you were told by your doctor.
- Do not share pen or cartridge devices with another person even if the needle has been changed. Sharing these devices may pass infections from one person to another. This includes infections you may not know you have.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of high calcium levels like weakness, confusion, feeling tired, headache, upset stomach and throwing up, constipation, or bone pain.
- Severe dizziness or passing out.
- Feeling like you are spinning.
- Fast or abnormal heartbeat.
- Shortness of breath.
- Muscle weakness.
- Back pain, belly pain, or blood in the urine. May be signs of a kidney stone.
- Pain when passing urine.
- This drug caused a higher rate of bone cancer in rats. Rarely, bone cancer has happened in humans taking this drug. However, a higher risk of bone cancer has not been seen in human studies. Call your doctor right away if you have bone pain, any pain that does not go away, or a tender lump or swelling under your skin.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak.
- Upset stomach.
- Headache.
- Stomach pain.
- Diarrhea.
- Joint pain.
- Bloating.
- Pain, redness, swelling, or other reaction where the injection was given.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
How is this drug best taken?
Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Take with or without food.
- Take this drug at the same time of day.
- You may need to use this drug where you can sit or lie down right away if you get dizzy or feel like passing out. Talk with your doctor.
- It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin in the belly area.
- If you will be giving yourself the shot, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.
- You will need to prime the pen on day 1 as you have been told. Do not prime the pen on days 2 through 30. Doing so will waste this drug.
- Do not use if the solution is cloudy, leaking, or has particles.
- Do not use if solution changes color.
- Do not move this drug from the pen to a syringe.
- Move the site where you give the shot with each shot.
- Do not give into skin within 2 inches (5 cm) of the belly button.
- Do not give into skin that is irritated, tender, bruised, red, scaly, hard, scarred, or has stretch marks.
- Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it on the same day you missed the dose.
- If you do not think about the missed dose until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take more than 1 dose of this drug in the same day.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
- Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
- After first use, store at room temperature. Throw away any part not used after 30 days.
- Protect from heat.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- This drug comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time this drug is refilled. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2024-01-29
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