Calcitonin nasal spray is used to treat osteoporosis in post-menopausal women when alternative treatments are not suitable, Learn how to use the medication, its common side effects, special precautions to watch out for, and more.

What is this medication for?

Calcitonin nasal spray contains the man-made active protein called calcitonin-salmon. It is similar to a hormone in the human body that regulates calcium level.

Calcitonin nasal spray is used to treat osteoporosis in post-menopausal women when alternative treatments are not suitable. Osteoporosis is a condition which causes bones to become weak and brittle. Menopause reduces the level of certain hormones in the body thus leading to increased risk of osteoporosis.

 Calcitonin nasal spray can also be used for other indications as prescribed by your doctor.     

How should I take or use this medication?

The recommended dose of Calcitonin nasal spray is 1 spray per day. Alternate the spray between the nostrils for each day. 

 Preparing your nasal spray:

1. Prime the nasal spray before using it for the first time.  Allow the nasal spray to reach room temperature before priming. Priming the spray does not alter the total number of doses available.
2. Hold the spray upright with your index finger and middle finger on the 2 side arms of the pump, and your thumb on the bottom of the bottle. Firmly press down on the arms of the pump a few times until you see a full spray of the medicine.

Using your nasal spray:

1. Blow your nose gently. 
2. Remove the protective cap.
3. Tilt your head slightly forward, keep the bottle upright and insert the spray into one nostril.
4. Point the nozzle slightly away from the centre of the nose (towards the ears) for the medication to reach the correct part of the nose.
5. Start to breathe in slowly through your nose and at the same time, press down once on the nasal spray to release one spray.
6. After use, clean the nozzle with a dry tissue and replace the protective cap.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to calcitonin-salmon, salmon derived products or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
• You have low calcium levels in your blood. 

What are some common side effects of this medication?

• Nose discomfort or irritation
  • This is usually temporary.
  • Try to spray away from the centre of the nose
• Nosebleed
• Headache
• Muscle or back pain

These side effects may or may not occur, but if they do, they should improve over time. Please approach your healthcare provider if they are bothersome or do not improve.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following: 

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

Low calcium levels in your blood (Hypocalcemia)

Calcitonin nasal spray may lower the calcium levels in your blood. If you have low blood calcium before you start using Calcitonin, your calcium levels may worsen during treatment. 

Symptoms of low blood calcium include numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes or around your face. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

How should I store this medication?

Store unopened Calcitonin nasal spray in the refrigerator between 2 - 8°C. Do not freeze.

Discard Calcitonin nasal spray 4 weeks after opening.

Once opened, you may keep the nasal spray at room temperature below 25°C, away from light and heat.  Store the bottle upright to reduce risk of air bubbles. Keep this medication away from children. 

How do I throw away this medication safely?

Pack the nasal spray into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin. 

Disclaimer

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on October 2024