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Calcitonin Salmon Nasal Spray

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(kal si toe' nin)

Brand name(s): Miacalcin

Contents of this page:

Why is this medication prescribed?

Calcitonin salmon nasal spray is a hormone product. It contains the human hormone calcitonin, which also is found in salmon. It is used to treat osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) in women who have been in menopause for more than 5 years. It usually is only used by women who do not want to use or cannot use estrogen products. Women using calcitonin salmon for osteoporosis should also take a calcium and vitamin D supplement.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Calcitonin salmon comes as a spray to be used in the nose. It is used once a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use calcitonin salmon exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Calcitonin salmon helps treat osteoporosis but does not cure it. Continue to use calcitonin salmon regularly. Do not stop using calcitonin salmon without talking to your doctor.

Your pharmacist should give you written directions telling you how to use the spray bottle. Before using calcitonin salmon, the pump needs to be put together and activated.

Put the pump and bottle together as follows:

Remove the rubber stopper from the bottle, and then remove the plastic protective cap from the bottom of the spray unit. Put the spray pump into the bottle and turn to tighten. Then take the plastic cover off of the top of the spray unit.

To activate the pump, hold the bottle upright with two fingers on the sides of the pump and your thumb on the bottom of the bottle. Press down on the pump six times. You should see some spray come out of the pump. The pump is activated once this first faint spray has been emitted. You only need to activate the pump the first time you use it.

If you do not understand these directions, be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist.

To use the pump, follow these steps:

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using calcitonin salmon,

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Follow all dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. For the drug to work well, you need to add a large amount of calcium and vitamin D to your diet. Your doctor may recommend a diet and tell you to take a supplement.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Although side effects from calcitonin salmon are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store unopened calcitonin salmon nasal spray in the refrigerator; avoid freezing. Keep this medication out of reach of children. Before activating the pump, allow the drug to warm to room temperature. Store opened bottles at room temperature in an upright position. Replace the plastic cover to keep the nozzle clean. Opened calcitonin salmon stored at room temperature should be thrown away after 30 days. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Last Revised - 01/01/2003


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The MedMaster™ Patient Drug Information database provides information copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland Copyright© 2004. All Rights Reserved.