Salmon Calcitonin

Indications

Salmon Calcitonin is indicated in Active Paget's disease in patients who do not respond to alternative treatments or for whom such treatments are not suitable; Hypercalcaemia.

Pharmacology

Calcitonin is a polypeptide hormone produced by the ultimobranchial gland in non-mammalian vertebrates or by the mammalian thyroid parafollicular cells. It inhibits osteoclastic bone resorption and reduces bone turnover. It decreases tubular reabsorption and promotes renal excretion of Ca, Cl, Na, Mg, K and phosphate.

Dosage And Administration

Intravenous (Adult)-

Emergency treatment of hypercalcaemia: Up to 10 u/kg in 500 mL of sodium chloride 0.9% by slow IV infusion over at least 6 hr.

Parenteral (Adult)-

Adjunct in hypercalcaemia: SC/IM: 4 u/kg 12 hrly, may increase after 1-2 days to 8 u/kg 12 hrly to max 8 u/kg 6 hrly after 2 days. Alternatively, 100 u every 6-8 hr, increased after 1-2 days to max 400 u every 6-8 hr.
Paget's disease of bone: SC/IM: 50 u 3 times wkly to 100 u/day.

Nasal (Adult)-

Nasal postmenopausal osteoporosis: 200 u/day, alternation nostrils everyday.

Interaction

Concurrent use wth cardiac glycosides (e.g. digitalis) or Ca-channel blockers requires dosage adjustments of these drugs. May decrease serum concentration of lithium.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity. Patients with hypocalcaemia.

Side Effects

GI disturbances, dizziness, flushing, tingling of the hands, unpleasant taste, skin rash, abdominal pain, urinary frequency, tremor, inj site inflammation. Rarely, diabetogenic effect.

Pregnancy And Lactation

Pregnancy Category C. Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the foetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus.