Abstract
Calcitonin is a safe treatment for established osteoporosis and is currently available as an injectable preparation. Clinical trials with either injectable or nasal spray forms of salmon calcitonin have demonstrated the efficacy of salmon calcitonin in increasing lumbar spine bone mass and decreasing vertebral fracture rates (nasal form) in patients with established osteoporosis. The use of injectable calcitonin has been limited by decreased compliance due to side effects and method of delivery. The availability of a nasal spray formulation with relatively few side effects as compared to placebo nasal spray has increased the convenience of use. Both injectable and nasal spray calcitonin demonstrate analgesic effects in osteoporotic individuals. Calcitonin also prevents hypercalcemia following calcium rich meals and protects calcium stores during periods of calcium stress such as pregnancy, lactation, and low dietary calcium intake. Despite these biological responses, calcitonin does not have a significant role in the homeostasis of plasma calcium in normal individuals.
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