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Calcitonin

Intranasal or injectable calcitonin is an alternative to HRT or bisphosphonates. Salmon calcitonin nasal spray reduces the incidence of vertebral fractures by 25-35% at a daily dose of 200 IU (1). This is a smaller reduction than that achieved by bisphosphonates or raloxifene, but some patients may benefit from the analgesic effect intranasal calcitonin has on bone pain. Salmon calcitonin nasal spray is available in some countries for the treatment of patients with vertebral fractures.

Reference

  1. Chestnut CH 3rd, Silverman S, Adriano K, Genant H, Giomona A, Harris S, Kiel D, LeBoff M, Maricic M, Miller P, Moniz C, Peacock M, Richardson P, Watts N, Baylink D. A randomized trial of nasal spray salmon calcitonin in postmenopausal women with established osteoporosis: the prevent recurrence of osteoporotic fracture study. PROOF Study group. Am J Med. 2000;109:267-76.
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