Calcitonin
Administration
- Type:
- Dosage Forms:
- Routes of Administration: SC/IM, nasal
- Common Trade Names:
Adult Dosing
- Hypercalcemia: 4 IU/kg SC/IM q12hr
Pediatric Dosing
Safety/efficacy not established
Special Populations
Pregnancy Rating
- C
Lactation risk
Renal Dosing
- Adult:
- Pediatric:
Hepatic Dosing
- Adult:
- Pediatric:
Contraindications
- Allergy to class/drug
Adverse Reactions
Serious
- Malignancy risk increased in longterm use
Common
- Rhinitis, epistaxis (intranasal)
- Arthralgia, back pain
- Injection site reaction
- Nausea, abdominal pain, decreased appetite
- Headache
- Flushing
- Allergic reaction
- Edema of feet
- Eye pain
- Subjective fever
- Nocturia
- Salty taste
Pharmacology
- Half-life: 43min[1]
- Metabolism: Renal
- Excretion: Urinary
Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits osteoclastic bone resorption, decreases serum calcium, and increases renal excretion of phosphate, calcium, sodium magnesium and potassium by decreasing tubular reabsorption[2]
Comments
Indications by Condition
The following table is automatically generated from disease/condition pages across WikEM.
| Indication | Dose | Context | Route | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hypercalcemia | 4 units/kg q12hr | Symptomatic or severe hypercalcemia (Ca >14 mg/dL) | SC or IV | Adult |