Teriparatide

What it is used for

• Severe osteoporosis in women after the menopause and in men
• Osteoporosis caused by long-term steroid use

Read our guides:

• Osteoporosis

Off-label uses

Doctors sometimes prescribe a medicine for a condition it is not officially licensed for. This is called off-label use. It is legal and common when there is good evidence it helps, and your doctor should explain why they are suggesting it.

Teriparatide is not commonly used off-label.

How it works

Teriparatide is a man-made form of part of parathyroid hormone. Given once a day, it stimulates bone-building cells, increasing bone strength and lowering the risk of fractures.

Side effects

Like all medicines, Teriparatide can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Many are mild and ease after the first few weeks.

Common side effects

• feeling dizzy
• leg cramps
• feeling sick
• headache
• pain where you inject

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if these bother you or do not go away.

Serious side effects

These are rare. Call 111 or contact your doctor straight away if you get:

• feeling faint, especially after the first few doses
• signs of high calcium, such as feeling sick, being sick, constipation, tiredness or confusion

Call 999 if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of your lips, mouth, throat or tongue, or trouble breathing.

You can report any side effect to the Yellow Card scheme, run by the medicines regulator.

Stopping and withdrawal

Important safety information

• Sit or lie down for the first few injections in case you feel faint.
• Not suitable for people who have had radiotherapy to the bones or some bone diseases.

Questions about your medicine?

A pharmacist can answer questions about your medicines for free, without an appointment. You can also ask your GP for a medication review. Check if you can get free prescriptions.