Many people are unable to tollerate osteoporosis treatments such as biophosphonates, fortunately there are other pharmaceuticles such as Evista and Miacalcin that may be used in the prevention of osteoporosis.
Salmon calcitonin is a polypeptide hormone that is used in the fight against osteoporosis as it is able to inhibit osteoclasts that are involved in bone remodeling. Calcitonin is manufactured by Novartis and marketed as the drug Miacalcin. The drug can be taken by two daily methods: either as a 200 IU intranasal spray or as a subcutaneous injection. Although Miacalcin does have approval for the use in osteoporosis treatment by the FDA, the approval is only for women who are five or more years past their menopausal.
Clinical trials carried out on Calcitonin showed that when the drug was taken as a nasal spray at a dose of 200IU, that over a 5 year period the risk of getting a vertebral osteoporosis fracture was reduced by 33%. Additionally it was found that a reduction in the pain associated with compressional fractures occurred. However, the trial also showed that there was no reduction in the risk of non-vertebral fractures nor an increase in bone mineral density.
There are a few side effects associated with the use of Miacalcin; these vary depending upon how the Miacalcin is taken.
1. Side effects of Nasally taken Miacalcin: these include itching, dryness and epistaxis
2. Side effects of injected Miacalcin: Rashes, flushes, local reactions.