Teriparatide

What people use it for

• Osteoporosis with high fracture risk (approved use)
• Steroid-induced osteoporosis (approved use)

What Teriparatide does in the body

The active first 34 amino acids of parathyroid hormone. Given in a short daily pulse, it stimulates bone-building cells more than bone-removing cells, increasing bone density and strength.

Strength of evidence

Strong: randomised trials showed fewer spine and other fractures.

Look up the evidence

• Reviews on PubMed: Summaries of the published research
• Clinical trials on PubMed: Published studies in people
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Registered trials, past and ongoing
• Prescribing information (DailyMed, US): Official US label
• Patient leaflets (emc, UK): Official UK product information

Live searches of official databases. New to the terms? See the glossary.

Reported side effects & risks

• Dizziness or light-headedness after injection
• Leg cramps, nausea
• Raised blood calcium
• Bone cancer (osteosarcoma) in rats; caution in people with bone conditions or past bone radiation

Who should avoid it or take extra care

• Paget's disease of bone or unexplained high alkaline phosphatase
• Past radiation therapy involving the bones
• Bone cancer or cancer that has spread to bone
• High blood calcium
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Children and young adults whose bones are still growing

Not a complete list. Check with a doctor or pharmacist about your own health and medicines.

Regulatory status

Approved as Forteo (US) and Forsteo (UK/EU), plus biosimilars. Treatment length has traditionally been limited, typically to 2 years.

How it's taken

Route: Prefilled pen, injection under the skin once daily

How long it lasts (half-life): About 1 hour

Storage

Pens: refrigerate; follow the patient leaflet.