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Quick facts
- Drug class
- Calcitonin [EPC]
- How it is given
- intramuscular, subcutaneous
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 308866
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
Calcitonin salmon injection, synthetic is a calcitonin, indicated for the following conditions: Treatment of symptomatic Paget's disease of bone when alternative treatments are not suitable ( 1.1 ) Treatment of hypercalcemia ( 1.2 ) Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis when alternative treatments are not suitable. Fracture reduction efficacy has not been demonstrated ( 1.3 ) Limitations of Use: Due to the possible association between malignancy and calcitonin salmon use, the need for continued therapy should be re-evaluated on a periodic basis ( 1.4 , 5.3 ) 1.1 Treatment of Paget’s Disease of Bone Calcitonin salmon injection is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic Paget's disease of bone in patients with moderate to severe disease characterized by polyostotic involvement with elevated serum alkaline phosphatase and urinary hydroxyproline excretion. There is no evidence that the prophylactic use of calcitonin salmon is beneficial in asymptomatic patients. Calcitonin salmon injection should be used only in patients who do not respond to alternative treatments or for whom such treatments are not suitable (e.g., patients for whom other therapies are contraindicated or for patients who are intolerant or unwilling to use other therapies). 1.2 Treatment of Hypercalcemia Calcitonin salmon injection is indicated for the early treatment of hypercalcemic emergencies, along with other appropriate agents, when a rapid decrease in serum calcium is required, until more specific treatment of the underlying disease can be accomplished. It may also be added to existing therapeutic regimens for hypercalcemia such as intravenous fluids and furosemide, oral phosphate or corticosteroids, or other agents. 1.3 Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Calcitonin salmon injection is indicated for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in women greater than 5 years postmenopause. The evidence of efficacy for calcitonin salmon injection is based on increases in total body calcium observed in clinical trials. Fracture reduction efficacy has not been demonstrated. […]
About this medicine
Calcitonin is a polypeptide hormone secreted by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland in mammals and by the ultimobranchial gland of birds and fish. Calcitonin salmon injection, USP, synthetic is a synthetic polypeptide of 32 amino acids in the same linear sequence that is found in calcitonin of salmon origin. This is shown by the following graphic formula: It is provided in sterile solution for subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. Each milliliter contains: calcitonin salmon, 200 USP Units. Inactive Ingredients (per mL): acetic acid, USP, 2.25 mg; phenol, USP, 5 mg; sodium acetate trihydrate, USP, 2 mg; sodium chloride, USP, 7.5 mg; water for injection, USP. The activity of calcitonin salmon injection is stated in International Units based on bioassay in comparison with the International Reference Preparation of calcitonin salmon for Bioassay, distributed by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Holy Hill, London. Image
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Calcitonin salmon is a calcitonin receptor agonist. Calcitonin salmon acts primarily on bone, but direct renal effects and actions on the gastrointestinal tract are also recognized. Calcitonin salmon appears to have actions essentially identical to calcitonins of mammalian origin, but its potency per mg is greater and it has a longer duration of action. The actions of calcitonin on bone and its role in normal human bone physiology are still not completely elucidated, although calcitonin receptors have been discovered in osteoclasts and osteoblasts.
Who should not take it
Hypersensitivity to calcitonin salmon or any of the excipients. Reactions have included anaphylaxis with death, bronchospasm, and swelling of the tongue or throat [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Hypersensitivity to calcitonin salmon or any of the excipients ( 4 )
Warnings and cautions
Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including reports of fatal anaphylaxis have been reported. Consider skin testing prior to treatment in patients with suspected hypersensitivity to calcitonin salmon ( 5.1 ) Hypocalcemia has been reported. Ensure adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D ( 5.2 ) Malignancy: A meta-analysis of 21 clinical trials suggests an increased risk of overall malignancies in calcitonin salmon-treated patients ( 5.3 , 6.1 ) Circulating antibodies to calcitonin salmon may develop, and may cause loss of response to treatment ( 5.4 ) 5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions Serious hypersensitivity reactions have been reported in patients receiving calcitonin salmon injection, e.g., bronchospasm, swelling of the tongue or throat, anaphylactic shock, and death due to anaphylaxis. Appropriate medical support and monitoring measures should be readily available when calcitonin salmon injection is administered. If anaphylaxis or other severe hypersensitivity/allergic reactions occur, initiate appropriate treatment [see Contraindications ( 4 )]. For patients with suspected hypersensitivity to calcitonin salmon, skin testing should be considered prior to treatment utilizing a dilute, sterile solution of calcitonin salmon injection. Healthcare providers may wish to refer patients who require skin testing to an allergist. 5.2 Hypocalcemia Hypocalcemia associated with tetany (i.e., muscle cramps, twitching) and seizure activity has been reported with calcitonin salmon injection therapy. Hypocalcemia must be corrected before initiating therapy. Other disorders affecting mineral metabolism (such as vitamin D deficiency) should also be effectively treated. In patients at risk for hypocalcemia, provisions for parenteral calcium administration should be available during the first several administrations of calcitonin salmon and serum calcium and symptoms of hypocalcemia should be monitored. Use of calcitonin salmon injection for the treatment of Paget's disease or postmenopausal osteoporosis is recommended in conjunction with an adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 )]. […]
Reported side effects
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label: Hypersensitivity Reactions, including anaphylaxis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Hypocalcemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Malignancy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Most common adverse reactions are nausea with or without vomiting (10%), injection site inflammation (10%), and flushing of the face or hands (2% to 5%) ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. at 1-877-993-8779 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of calcitonin salmon injection was assessed in open-label trials several months to two years in duration. The most common adverse reactions are discussed below. Nausea Nausea with or without vomiting has been noted in about 10% of patients treated with calcitonin salmon. It is most evident when treatment is first initiated and tends to decrease or disappear with continued administration. Dermatologic Reactions Local inflammatory reactions at the site of subcutaneous or intramuscular injection have been reported in about 10% of patients. Flushing of face or hands occurred in about 2% to 5% of patients. Skin rashes and pruritus of the ear lobes have also been reported. Other Adverse Reactions Nocturia, feverish sensation, pain in the eyes, poor appetite, abdominal pain, pedal edema, and salty taste have been reported in patients treated with calcitonin salmon injection. Malignancy A meta-analysis of 21 randomized, controlled clinical trials with calcitonin salmon (nasal spray or investigational oral formulations) was conducted to assess the risk of malignancies in calcitonin salmon-treated patients compared to placebo-treated patients. […]
Interactions with other medicines
No formal drug interaction studies have been performed with calcitonin salmon injection. Concomitant use of calcitonin salmon and lithium may lead to a reduction in plasma lithium concentrations due to increased urinary clearance of lithium. The dose of lithium may require adjustment. Concomitant use of calcitonin salmon and lithium may lead to a reduction in plasma lithium concentrations due to increased urinary clearance of lithium. The dose of lithium may require adjustment ( 7 )
Use in specific groups
There are no data to support use in children ( 8.4 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no studies with calcitonin salmon injection in pregnant women to inform a drug associated risk for birth defects or miscarriage. In an animal reproduction study, subcutaneous administration of calcitonin salmon to pregnant rabbits during organogenesis at 4-18 times the recommended parenteral human dose caused a decrease in fetal birth weights. No adverse developmental outcome was observed in the rat with subcutaneous administration of calcitonin salmon at 9 times the recommended human parenteral dose based on body surface area (see Data). In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Calcitonin salmon has been shown to cause a decrease in fetal birth weights in rabbits when given by subcutaneous injection in doses 4 to 18 times the parenteral dose recommended for human use (of 54 International Units/m 2 ). No embryo/fetal toxicities related to calcitonin salmon were reported from maternal subcutaneous daily doses in rats up to 80 International Units/kg/day from gestation day 6 to 15. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There is no information on the presence of calcitonin salmon in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Calcitonin has been shown to inhibit lactation in rats. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for calcitonin salmon injection and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from calcitonin salmon injection or from the underlying maternal condition. 8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. 8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies of calcitonin salmon injection did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 years and older to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. […]
If too much is taken
The pharmacologic actions of calcitonin salmon injection suggest that hypocalcemic tetany could occur in overdose. Therefore, provisions for parenteral administration of calcium should be available for the treatment of overdose. A dose of calcitonin salmon l000 International Units subcutaneously may produce nausea and vomiting. Doses of 32 International Units per kg per day for 1 to 2 days demonstrate no other adverse effects. Data on chronic high-dose administration are insufficient to assess toxicity.
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This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 6 March 2026. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.