Bone · FDA Approved
Calcitonin
FDA-approved
01 · Overview
A 32-amino acid peptide hormone naturally produced by the parafollicular C-cells of the thyroid gland. Calcitonin inhibits osteoclast activity, reducing bone resorption, and increases renal calcium excretion.
Salmon calcitonin is more potent than human calcitonin and is the form used clinically (PMID 30725954). Branded nasal products (Miacalcin, Fortical) have been discontinued in the US, while generic salmon calcitonin products remain available.
02 · Research summary & key findings
Salmon calcitonin is FDA-approved for postmenopausal osteoporosis, Paget disease of bone and hypercalcemia (PMID 30725954). The 5-year PROOF trial found that the middle of three nasal doses tested reduced new vertebral fractures by 33% vs. placebo, while the lowest and highest doses did not differ significantly from placebo (PMID 10996576). A systematic review found lower pain scores at one week in patients with acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (PMID 32188529). Use has declined, partly after regulatory reviews of trial data suggested a possible association with cancer incidence (PMID 24259626).
03 · Regulatory status
Calcitonin has received FDA approval and is available for clinical use under appropriate medical supervision. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for prescribing information.
Calcitonin is an FDA-approved medicine prescribed for the conditions on its label. It is not part of our intake, so we do not propose protocols for it. If you think it may be relevant to you, talk to your own doctor. How to ask your doctor.
Looking for a lawful, clinician-prescribed option for injury recovery and tissue repair?
Calcitonin is prescribed for the conditions on its label, and it is not part of our intake. If you are working on injury recovery and tissue repair, a licensed clinician can tell you at a free consultation whether an FDA-approved or lawfully compounded treatment fits you, or whether nothing does.
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04 · Administration routes
- Intranasal
- Subcutaneous injection
- Intramuscular injection
References
- [1]A randomized trial of nasal spray salmon calcitonin in postmenopausal women with established osteoporosis: the prevent recurrence of osteoporotic fractures study. PROOF Study Group Am J Med, 2000. PMID 10996576
- [2]Salmon calcitonin use and associated cancer risk Ann Pharmacother, 2013. PMID 24259626
- [3]Calcitonin , 2023. PMID 30725954
- [4]Efficacy of calcitonin for treating acute pain associated with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: an updated systematic review CJEM, 2020. PMID 32188529
Primary literature
- PubMed: "Calcitonin"
Peer-reviewed literature indexed by the National Library of Medicine.
- ClinicalTrials.gov: "Calcitonin"
Registered interventional and observational studies, including status and phase.
- PubChem: "Calcitonin"
Chemical structure, molecular properties, and bioactivity data.
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