What Is Teriparatide Used For?

Teriparatide is used for the treatment of osteoporosis in men and postmenopausal women. It works by regulating calcium and phosphate in the body. The medication can also occasionally be used in an "off-label" fashion to treat low levels of parathyroid hormone, osteoporosis due to steroid use, and osteoporosis in premenopausal women. There are currently no approved teriparatide uses for children.

 

What Is Teriparatide Used For? -- An Overview

Teriparatide (Forteo™) is a prescription medication that is approved for the treatment of osteoporosis in men and postmenopausal women. It is a manufactured version of parathyroid hormone and must be given by injection.
 
Teriparatide is approved to treat osteoporosis in men and postmenopausal women who are at high risk for fractures (broken bones). You may be at high risk for fractures if:
 
  • You have already had a fracture due to osteoporosis
  • You cannot take other osteoporosis medications (or they have not been effective for you)
  • Your healthcare provider thinks you are at high risk for fractures.
 
For men, teriparatide is approved only to treat primary osteoporosis (it is not due to other medical conditions or medications) or hypogonadal osteoporosis (which is caused by low levels of testosterone).
 

Teriparatide Uses for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, which means "porous bone," is a disease characterized by low bone mass (bone thinning) that leads to fragile bones and an increased risk of fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist. Men as well as women are affected by this condition. Fortunately, osteoporosis is a disease that can be prevented and treated.
 
Common causes of osteoporosis include:
 
  • Age-related bone loss
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Long-term corticosteroid use
  • Certain diseases.
     
Race and ethnicity may play a role in developing osteoporosis as well, but more research is needed to determine the connection.
 
Often, osteoporosis treatment is not started until a bone is broken, as there are usually no symptoms of osteoporosis. However, treatment may be started earlier if the disease is detected using a test (see Diagnosing Osteoporosis).
 
(What Is Teriparatide Used For? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;