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calcitonin nasal

Generic Name: calcitonin nasal (kal si TOE nin)
Brand Names: Miacalcin Nasal

What is calcitonin nasal?

Calcitonin is a man-made form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the thyroid gland.

Calcitonin nasal is used to treat osteoporosis in women who have been in menopause for at least 5 years.

Calcitonin nasal may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about calcitonin nasal?

Before using calcitonin nasal, tell your doctor if you have any nasal or sinus problems such as nasal deformities, a chronic infection, or nasal pain.

Avoid using any other nasal sprays or medicines at the same time you use calcitonin nasal unless your doctor has told you to.

Less serious nasal irritation is more likely to occur, such as minor bleeding, redness, itching, tenderness, dryness, crusting, scabs, or nasal congestion.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful side effects to the inside of your nose, your doctor may want to check your nasal passages on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using calcitonin nasal?

Before using calcitonin nasal, tell your doctor if you have any nasal or sinus problems such as nasal deformities, a chronic infection, or nasal pain.

How should I use calcitonin nasal?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Before your first use of the assembled bottle and pump, you must prime the spray. Allow the medicine to reach room temperature before priming.

To prime calcitonin nasal, spray the medicine into the air and away from your face, until a fine mist appears. You will need to prime the pump only before your first use of the newly assembled bottle.

Calcitonin nasal is usually given as one spray per day into only one of your nostrils. Use the other nostril the next day and continue alternating back and forth for each daily dose.

Before each use, gently blow your nose to clear your nostrils.

Hold the nasal spray upright with your first and second fingers on each side of the pump and your thumb on the bottom of the bottle.

Gently insert the sprayer tip into the nostril but not far into your nose. Bend your head forward to aim the spray toward the back of your nose. Pump the spray unit firmly to spray the medicine into your nostril. You do not need to sniff or inhale deeply.

Avoid blowing your nose for several minutes after using this medication.

Each bottle contains 30 doses of calcitonin nasal. Throw away the medicine after 30 uses, even if there is still medicine left in the bottle.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful side effects to the inside of your nose, your doctor may want to check your nasal passages on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of calcitonin nasal is not likely to produce life-threatening side effects.

What should I avoid while using calcitonin nasal?

Avoid using any other nasal sprays or medicines at the same time you use calcitonin nasal unless your doctor has told you to.

Calcitonin nasal side effects

• feeling light-headed, fainting; or

• severe nasal irritation.

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• bleeding from your nose;

• runny or stuffy nose;

• dryness, itching, tenderness, or general discomfort of your nose;

• crusting, scabs, or sores inside your nose;

• redness in or around your nose;

• warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin;

• headache;

• back pain; or

• nausea.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect calcitonin nasal?

There may be other drugs that can affect calcitonin nasal. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about calcitonin written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Calcitonin nasal is available with a prescription under the brand name Miacalcin Nasal Spray. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children. Never share your medicines with others and only use this medication for the condition prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.