What Is Calcitonin Salmon Injection Used For?

Calcitonin salmon injection is used for treating several conditions, including osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, high blood calcium, and Paget's disease. The medication can help slow the breakdown of bone and decrease the release of calcium from bone. Healthcare providers may also occasionally recommend off-label calcitonin salmon injection uses, such as for the treatment of bone pain or nerve pain.

 

What Is Calcitonin Salmon Injection Used For? -- An Overview

Calcitonin salmon injection (Miacalcin® injection) is a prescription medication used to treat several different conditions related to calcium and bone. Specifically, calcitonin salmon injection is approved to treat the following conditions:
 
  • Osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
  • Paget's disease of the bone
  • High blood calcium (hypercalcemia).
     

Why Is Calcitonin Salmon Injection Used for Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis, which means "porous bone," is a disease characterized by low bone mass (bone thinning) that leads to fragile bones and an increased risk of fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist. Men as well as women are affected by this condition. Fortunately, osteoporosis is a disease that can be prevented and treated.
 
Common causes of osteoporosis include:
 
  • Age-related bone loss
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Long-term corticosteroid use
  • Certain diseases.
     
Race and ethnicity may also play a role in developing osteoporosis, but more research is needed to determine the connection.
 
Often, osteoporosis treatment is not started until a bone is broken, as there are usually no symptoms of osteoporosis. However, treatment may be started earlier if the disease is detected using a test (see Diagnosing Osteoporosis). Calcitonin salmon injection is approved to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women who are at least five years past menopause and who cannot tolerate estrogen (or who should not take estrogen for medical reasons).
 
(What Is Calcitonin Salmon Injection Used For? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;