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Teriparatide

Also sold as: Forteo, Yorvipath, Bonsity

Parathyroid HormonePrescription OnlyGeneric Available

Related Medications

Important: Only drugs listed as "Exact Equivalents" (FDA AB-rated) are confirmed interchangeable. All other listings are for informational reference only and do NOT indicate that drugs can be substituted without a physician's explicit guidance.
Same Pharmacologic Class

These drugs share a pharmacologic classification but are NOT interchangeable. Listing here does not imply clinical equivalence. A physician must evaluate each drug individually for the patient's specific condition.

Classification: Parathyroid Hormone (source: RxClass/NLM)

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Drug Information

Mechanism of Action

12.1 Mechanism of Action Endogenous 84-amino acid parathyroid hormone (PTH) is the primary regulator of calcium and phosphate metabolism in bone and kidney. Physiological actions of PTH include regulation of bone metabolism, renal tubular reabsorption of calcium and phosphate, and intestinal calcium absorption. The biological actions of PTH and teriparatide are mediated through binding to specific high-affinity cell-surface receptors. Teriparatide and the 34 N-terminal amino acids of PTH bind to these receptors with the same affinity and have the same physiological actions on bone and kidney. Teriparatide is not expected to accumulate in bone or other tissues. The skeletal effects of teriparatide depend upon the pattern of systemic exposure. Once-daily administration of teriparatide stimulates new bone formation on trabecular and cortical (periosteal and/or endosteal) bone surfaces by preferential stimulation of osteoblastic activity over osteoclastic activity. In monkey studies, teriparatide improved trabecular microarchitecture and increased bone mass and strength by stimulating new bone formation in both cancellous and cortical bone. In humans, the anabolic effects of teriparatide manifest as an increase in skeletal mass, an increase in markers of bone formation and resorption, and an increase in bone strength. By contrast, continuous excess of endogenous PTH, as occurs in hyperparathyroidism, may be detrimental to the skeleton because bone resorption may be stimulated more than bone formation.

Indications & Uses

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Teriparatide injection is indicated: For the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture (defined herein as having a history of osteoporotic fracture or multiple risk factors for fracture) or who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy. In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, teriparatide injection reduces the risk of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures. To increase bone mass in men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis at high risk for fracture or who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy. For the treatment of men and women with osteoporosis associated with sustained systemic glucocorticoid therapy (daily dosage equivalent to 5 mg or greater of prednisone) at high risk for fracture or who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy. Teriparatide injection is a parathyroid hormone analog, (PTH 1-34), indicated for: Treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture or patients who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy ( 1 ) Increase of bone mass in men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis at high risk for fracture or patients who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy ( 1 ) Treatment of men and women with osteoporosis associated with sustained systemic glucocorticoid therapy at high risk for fracture or patients who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy ( 1 )

Dosage & Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended dosage is 20 mcg subcutaneously once a day ( 2.1 ) Consider supplemental calcium and Vitamin D based on individual patient needs ( 2.1 ) Administer as a subcutaneous injection into the thigh or abdominal region ( 2.2 ) Administer initially under circumstances in which the patient can sit or lie down if symptoms of orthostatic hypotension occur ( 2.2 ) Use of teriparatide for more than 2 years during a patient's lifetime should only be considered if a patient remains at or has returned to having a high risk for fracture ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage is 20 mcg given subcutaneously once a day. Instruct patients to take supplemental calcium and vitamin D if daily dietary intake is inadequate. 2.2 Administration Instructions Administer teriparatide injection as a subcutaneous injection into the thigh or abdominal region. Teriparatide injection is not approved for intravenous or intramuscular use. Teriparatide injection should be administered initially under circumstances in which the patient can sit or lie down if symptoms of orthostatic hypotension occur [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] . Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration (teriparatide injection is a clear and colorless liquid). Do not use if solid particles appear or if the solution is cloudy or colored. Patients and/or caregivers who administer teriparatide injection should receive appropriate training and instruction on the proper use of the teriparatide injection delivery device from a qualified health professional. 2.3 Recommended Treatment Duration Use of teriparatide for more than 2 years during a patient's lifetime should only be considered if a patient remains at or has returned to having a high risk for fracture [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] .

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions (>10%) include: arthralgia, pain, and nausea ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Alvogen, Inc. at 1-866-770-3024 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Men with Primary or Hypogonadal Osteoporosis and Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis The safety of teriparatide in the treatment of osteoporosis in men and postmenopausal women was assessed in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of 1382 patients (21% men, 79% women) aged 28 to 86 years (mean 67 years) [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 , 14.2 )] . The median durations of the trials were 11 months for men and 19 months for women, with 691 patients exposed to teriparatide and 691 patients to placebo. All patients received 1000 mg of calcium plus at least 400 IU of vitamin D supplementation per day. The incidence of all-cause mortality was 1% in the teriparatide group and 1% in the placebo group. The incidence of serious adverse events was 16% in the teriparatide group and 19% in the placebo group. Early discontinuation due to adverse events occurred in 7% in the teriparatide group and 6% in the placebo group. Table 1 lists adverse events from these two trials that occurred in ≥2% of teriparatide-treated and more frequently than placebo-treated patients. Table 1. Percentage of Patients with Adverse Events Reported by at Least 2% of Teriparatide-Treated Patients and in More Teriparatide-Treated Patients than Placebo-Treated Patients from the Two Principal Osteoporosis Trials in Women and Men (Adverse Events are Shown Without Attribution of Causality) Teriparatide N=691 Placebo N=691 Event Classification (%) (%) Body as a Whole Pain 21.3 20.5 Headache 7.5 7.4 Asthenia 8.7 6.8 Neck pain 3.0 2.7 Cardiovascular Hypertension 7.1 6.8 Angina pectoris 2.5 1.6 Syncope 2.6 1.4 Digestive System Nausea 8.5 6.7 Constipation 5.4 4.5 Diarrhea 5.1 4.6 Dyspepsia 5.2 4.1 Vomiting 3.0 2.3 Gastrointestinal disorder 2.3 2.0 Tooth disorder 2.0 1.3 Musculoskeletal Arthralgia 10.1 8.4 Leg cramps 2.6 1.3 Nervous System Dizziness 8.0 5.4 Depression 4.1 2.7 Insomnia 4.3 3.6 Vertigo 3.8 2.7 Respiratory System Rhinitis 9.6 8.8 Cough increased 6.4 5.5 Pharyngitis 5.5 4.8 Dyspnea 3.6 2.6 Pneumonia 3.9 3.3 Skin and Appendages Rash 4.9 4.5 Sweating 2.2 1.7 Laboratory Findings Serum Calcium - Teriparatide transiently increased serum calcium, with the maximal effect observed at approximately 4 to 6 hours post-dose. Serum calcium measured at least 16 hours post-dose was not different from pretreatment levels. In clinical trials, the frequency of at least 1 episode of transient hypercalcemia in the 4 to 6 hours after teriparatide administration was 11% of women and 6% of men treated with teriparatide compared to 2% of women and 0% of the men treated with placebo. The percentage of patients treated with teriparatide whose transient hypercalcemia was verified on consecutive measurements was 3% of women and 1% of men. Urinary Calcium - Teriparatide increased urinary calcium excretion, but the frequency of hypercalciuria in clinical trials was similar for patients treated with teriparatide and placebo [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )] . Serum Uric Acid - Teriparatide increased serum uric acid concentrations. In clinical trials, 3% of teriparatide-treated patients had serum uric acid concentrations above the upper limit of normal compared with 1% of placebo-treated patients. However, the hyperuricemia did not result in an increase in gout, arthralgia, or urolithiasis. Renal Function - No clinically important adverse renal effects were observed in clinical studies. Assessments included creatinine clearance; measurements of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and electrolytes in serum; urine specific gravity and pH; and examination of urine sediment. Men and Women with Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis The safety of teriparatide in the treatment of men and women with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis was assessed in a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trial of 428 patients (19% men, 81% women) aged 22 to 89 years (mean 57 years) treated with ≥5 mg per day prednisone or equivalent for a minimum of 3 months [see Clinical Studies ( 14.3 )] . The duration of the trial was 18 months with 214 patients exposed to teriparatide and 214 patients exposed to an oral daily bisphosphonate (active control). All patients received 1000 mg of calcium plus 800 IU of vitamin D supplementation per day. There was no increase in mortality in the teriparatide group compared to the active control group. The incidence of serious adverse events was 21% in teriparatide patients and 18% in active control patients, and included

Drug Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Digoxin: Transient hypercalcemia may predispose patients to digitalis toxicity ( 5.5 , 7.1 ) 7.1 Digoxin Sporadic case reports have suggested that hypercalcemia may predispose patients to digitalis toxicity. Teriparatide may transiently increase serum calcium. Consider the potential onset of signs and symptoms of digitalis toxicity when teriparatide injection is used in patients receiving digoxin [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Teriparatide injection is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to teriparatide or to any of its excipients. Hypersensitivity reactions have included angioedema and anaphylaxis [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . Patients with hypersensitivity to teriparatide or to any of its excipients ( 4 )

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