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What is Miacalcin?

Miacalcin (generic name calcitonin) is a medication that's prescribed to prevent and treat osteoporosis. It's available as a nasal spray and in injectable form. It's also prescribed to treat hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) and a bone disorder called Paget's disease, and to relieve bone pain caused by conditions such as cancer.

Bones are constantly being broken down and reformed. Miacalcin helps prevent osteoporosis by slowing the speed at which bones are broken down. Although studies have shown that Miacalcin increases bone mass in the spine, it's not known whether the drug helps prevent fractures caused by osteoporosis. When you use Miacalcin, it's also important to get enough calcium and vitamin D, and to exercise as directed by your doctor.

The usual dose of nasal Miacalcin involves alternating nostrils daily.

Sources:
The Johns Hopkins Complete Home Encyclopedia of Drugs. Medletter Associates Inc., 1998.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.
Miacalcin Product Information, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, 2006.
Medline Plus. Medline, 2006.

This answer prepared 11/17/2000.
This information updated 2/7/2007.