Common Questions
What are contraindications to using teriparatide?
Contraindications include:
- History of skeletal radiation
- Paget's disease
- Adolescents and younger children
- Pregnancy/women in reproductive years
- Metastatic bone disease
- Hypercalcemic onditions (primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism)
- Metabolic bone disease
- Active nephrolithiasis
- Vitamin D deficiency
Caution in those with:
- Severe renal impairment
- History of gout
The following labs should be checked before initiating treatment with teriparatide: calcium, PTH, uric acid, creatinine, and 25 (OH) vitamin D, and in those with a history of nephrolithiasis, a 24 hour urine calcium.
Oral supplemental calcium should be limited to 500 mg a day, but it is important to get at least 800 IU a day of vitamin D. After the first month of therapy, a calcium level (before the injection) should be checked again.