Daily Medication Pearl: Teriparatide Injection (Forteo)

Author(s):

Saro Arakelians, PharmD

Teriparatide injection (Forteo) is indicated for the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture or in patients who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy.

Medication Pearl of the Day: Teriparatide Injection (Forteo)

Indication: Teriparatide injection (Forteo) is a parathyroid hormone analog (PTH 1-34) indicated for the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture or in patients who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy.

Insight:

Dosing: Recommended dosage is 20 mcg subcutaneously once a day.
Dosage forms: Injection 600 mcg/2.4 mL (250 mcg/mL) in a single-patient-use prefilled delivery device containing 28 daily doses of 20 mcg.
Adverse events: Most common adverse reactions (>10%) include arthralgia, pain, and nausea.
Mechanism of action: Endogenous 84-amino acid parathyroid hormone (PTH) is the primary regulator of calcium and phosphate metabolism in bone and kidney. Physiological actions of PTH include regulation of bone metabolism, renal tubular reabsorption of calcium and phosphate, and intestinal calcium absorption.

Source: lilly.com