Understanding the Potential Side Effects and Strategies for Managing Them with Forteo (teriparatide)
In the realm of osteoporosis treatment, Forteo (teriparatide) has been a popular choice due to its ability to stimulate bone growth. However, like any medication, it comes with potential long-term effects that patients should be aware of.
The primary long-term concern with Forteo is the risk of osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. While this risk appears to be very low based on large postmarketing safety studies, it is a known potential risk due to findings in animal studies and rare reported cases in humans. U.S. surveillance studies involving hundreds of thousands of Forteo users found very few osteosarcoma cases, suggesting the risk is low and comparable to the general population. Nevertheless, caution is advised, and treatment duration is generally limited to a maximum of 2 years to mitigate this risk.
Another long-term concern is hypercalcemia, or elevated calcium levels in the blood. This can occur during Forteo treatment and may cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, or dizziness. Monitoring calcium levels is recommended during treatment.
Common but less severe side effects include joint pain, injection site reactions, nausea, and muscle spasms. These side effects are frequently reported during both short- and long-term use.
Rare adverse reactions reported postmarketing include allergic reactions, respiratory symptoms, injection site bruising, and oro-facial edema.
The treatment with Forteo is typically limited to a maximum of 2 continuous years, partly because long-term safety beyond this period is not well established and to limit any possible adverse effects, including the osteosarcoma risk. There are no significant differences in long-term side effects between males and females based on available data.
Forteo may increase the level of calcium in your urine, which can increase your risk of bladder or kidney stones. It may also cause a high level of calcium in the blood, leading to symptoms such as constipation, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, and weakness.
Before starting treatment with Forteo, it is crucial to discuss your health history with your doctor, as Forteo may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health.
Forteo should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to insufficient safety data and potential risks. Orthostatic hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure when changing positions, is a possible side effect of Forteo, especially with the first few doses.
Lastly, Forteo may cause calcium deposits in the skin or small blood vessels in the fat and skin, leading to painful skin lesions and skin ulcers. People with kidney problems or kidney failure have a higher risk of calcium skin deposits while taking Forteo.
In summary, the main long-term concerns with Forteo use for osteoporosis are the rare but serious risk of osteosarcoma, hypercalcemia, and typical injection-related side effects. Continuous monitoring and adherence to recommended treatment duration limits are important for both males and females. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
- The risk of osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, is a potential long-term concern with Forteo use, as highlighted in large postmarketing safety studies as well as animal studies.
- While treatment with Forteo is limited to a maximum of 2 continuous years due to uncertain long-term safety and potential adverse effects, it is still commonly used to treat osteoporosis, a chronic medical-condition, due to its ability to stimulate bone growth.
- Hypercalcemia, or elevated calcium levels in the blood, is another long-term concern associated with Forteo treatment, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, or dizziness.
- In the realms of health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and aging, Forteo is one of the drugs used to manage the musculoskeletal health issues related to osteoporosis, but it should be used with caution due to potential side effects.
- Pharmacy practitioners must advise patients taking Forteo to monitor their calcium levels during treatment, avoid pregnancy and breastfeeding, and be aware of the increased risk of bladder or kidney stones due to increased calcium levels in the urine.
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