Pronunciation: TER-i-PAR-a-tide
Generic Name: Teriparatide
Brand Name: Forteo
Forteo has been shown to increase the rate of bone tumors in lab animals. It is not known if there is a higher risk of bone tumors in humans. Forteo should not be used in patients who are at risk for bone tumors, including patients with Paget disease, children and young adults with open epiphyses, prior radiation involving the skeleton, or unexplained high levels of alkaline phosphatase in their blood.
Forteo is used for:
Treating bone weakening (osteoporosis) in men and postmenopausal women who are at high risk for having fractures, have had fractures, or cannot use other osteoporosis treatments. It is also used to treat patients with osteoporosis due to prolonged use of glucocorticoid medicines (eg, prednisone).
Forteo is a man-made (synthetic) form of parathyroid hormone. It works by increasing bone mass and bone strength, which helps decrease your chance of getting a fracture.
Do NOT use Forteo if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Forteo
- you have high levels of alkaline phosphatase, calcium, or parathyroid hormone in your blood
- you have deformed bones, softening of the bones (osteomalacia), Paget disease, pseudohypoparathyroidism, or rickets
- you have a history of bone tumors, bone cancer, or other cancers that have spread to your bones
- you have had radiation therapy involving the bones
- you have a bone disease other than osteoporosis
- the patient is a child or young adult whose bones may still be growing
- you are pregnant or breast-feeding
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Forteo:
Some medical conditions may interact with Forteo. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of kidney stones
- if you smoke, drink alcohol, or have a history of alcohol abuse or dependence
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Forteo. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Digoxin because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Forteo
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Forteo may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Forteo:
Use Forteo as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Forteo comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Forteo refilled.
- Forteo is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Forteo at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Forteo. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
- Do not use Forteo if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
- Use the proper technique taught to you by your doctor. Inject deep under the skin, NOT into muscle.
- Using Forteo at the same time each day will help you remember to use it.
- Use Forteo on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
- Use of Forteo for more than 2 years is not recommended.
- Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
- If you miss a dose of Forteo, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Forteo.
Important safety information:
- Forteo may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you use it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Forteo with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Forteo may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Some patients experience dizziness or a fast heartbeat after the first few doses of Forteo. For the first few doses, inject Forteo where you can sit or lie down right away if you get dizzy or have a fast heartbeat.
- Learn about other means of preventing bone loss, including taking regular calcium or vitamin D supplements, doing weight-bearing exercise, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake.
- Lab tests, including blood calcium levels, uric acid levels, and bone density tests, may be performed while you use Forteo. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Forteo should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Forteo may cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Forteo while you are pregnant. It is not known if Forteo is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using Forteo.
Possible side effects of Forteo:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; diarrhea; headache; increased cough; indigestion; joint pain; leg or back cramps; mild dizziness or fast heartbeat; minor bruising, itching, pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site; nausea; runny nose; sore throat; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); blurred vision; chest pain; depression; fainting; persistent fast heartbeat; persistent trouble sleeping; severe or persistent dizziness or lightheadedness when sitting or standing; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, constipation, muscle weakness, or tiredness; shortness of breath; sudden, severe headache; tooth problems.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Forteo side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness or weakness, especially when standing; headache; nausea; vomiting.
Proper storage of Forteo:
Store Forteo in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Do not use Forteo if it has been frozen. Recap the pen after each use. Discard Forteo after 28 days of use, even if it is not completely empty. Keep Forteo out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Forteo, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Forteo is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Forteo. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Forteo resources
- Forteo Side Effects (in more detail)
- Forteo Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Forteo Drug Interactions
- Forteo Support Group
- 12 Reviews for Forteo - Add your own review/rating
- Forteo Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Forteo Consumer Overview
- Forteo Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Forteo Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Teriparatide Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Forteo with other medications
- Osteoporosis
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