Teriparatide
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Teriparatide (Forsteo®) is a recombinant form of parathyroid hormone, used in the treatment of advanced osteoporosis.
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Administration
Teriparatide is administered by injection once a day in the thigh or abdomen. The recommended dose is 20 μg per day.
Uses
Teriparatide is a third-line agent in osteoporosis, after calcium/vitamin D supplementation and bisphosphonates. The bisphosphonates are effective in a large majority of osteoporosis patients, and only a minority would normally require teriparatide.
Mechanism of action
Teriparatide is a portion of human parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is the primary regulator of calcium and phosphate metabolism in bones. Daily injections of teriparatide stimulate new bone formation leading to increased bone mineral density.
Teriparatide is the first approved agent for the treatment of osteoporosis that stimulates new bone formation.
FDA approval
Forsteo was approved by the FDA on 26 November, 2002, for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women who are at high risk for having a fracture. The drug is also approved to increase bone mass in men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis who are at high risk for fracture.