Teriparatide

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

Forteo

Brand Names: Canada

Forteo; TEVA-Teriparatide

What is this drug used for?

  • It is used to treat soft, brittle bones (osteoporosis).

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 pregnant or plan to get pregnant.
  • If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take this drug.

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.
  • Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you.
  • 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 bone density checked as you have been told by your doctor.
  • Do not take this drug for longer than you were told by your doctor.
  • Take calcium and vitamin D as you were told by your doctor.
  • A severe health problem involving the skin (calciphylaxis) has happened with this drug. The risk is raised in people who have an autoimmune disease or kidney problems. The risk is also raised in people who are taking warfarin or a steroid like prednisone. If you have questions, talk with 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 or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
  • Signs of high calcium levels like weakness, confusion, feeling tired, headache, upset stomach and throwing up, constipation, or bone pain.
  • Back pain, belly pain, or blood in the urine. May be signs of a kidney stone.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Change in skin color to black or purple.
  • Painful skin sores or wounds.
  • 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.
  • Diarrhea or constipation.
  • Joint pain.
  • Runny nose.
  • Cough.
  • Throat irritation.

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.

  • It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin on the top of the thigh or the belly area.
  • If you will be giving yourself the shot, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.
  • Move the site where you give this drug as you were told by the doctor.
  • Do not use if the solution is cloudy, leaking, or has particles.
  • Do not use if solution changes color.
  • 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.
  • Take this drug at the same time of day.
  • Remove all pen needle covers before injecting a dose (there may be 2). If you are not sure what type of pen needle you have or how to use it, talk with the doctor.
  • Put the cap back on after you are done using your dose.
  • Do not move this drug from the pen to a syringe.
  • 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.
  • Put back in the refrigerator right after each use.
  • Do not use if it has been frozen.
  • After opening, throw away any part not used after 28 days.
  • 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

2023-12-06

Copyright

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Last Updated

Monday, December 12, 2022