Calcitonin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 8, 2025.

Applies to calcitonin: nasal spray.

Other dosage forms:

• injection solution

Serious side effects of calcitonin

Along with its needed effects, calcitonin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking calcitonin:

More common side effects

• crusting, patches, or sores inside the nose
• dryness, itching, redness, swelling, tenderness, or other signs of nasal irritation not present before use of this medicine
• headaches (severe or continuing)
• nosebleeds
• runny nose
• sneezing
• stuffy nose

Less common side effects

• bloody or cloudy urine
• chills
• cough
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• difficulty with breathing or wheezing (severe)
• dizziness
• fever
• frequent urge to urinate
• head congestion
• loss of sense of smell
• sore throat
• swollen glands

Rare side effects

• hair loss
• hives, itching, or skin rash
• increased thirst
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• taste disturbances
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

Incidence not known

• abdominal or stomach cramps
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• blurred vision
• confusion
• diarrhea
• difficulty with swallowing
• fainting
• increased sweating
• irregular heartbeats
• muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
• numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
• pain or tightness in the chest
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rapid weight gain
• seizures
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight gain or loss

Other side effects of calcitonin

Some side effects of calcitonin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• back pain
• joint pain

Less common or rare side effects

• abdominal or stomach pain
• body aches
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• constipation
• flushing
• mental depression
• muscle pain
• nausea
• unusual tearing of the eyes
• upset stomach

Incidence not known

• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• hearing loss
• trouble hearing
• trouble seeing

For healthcare professionals

Applies to calcitonin: injectable solution, nasal spray.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported adverse effects with use of the injection are nausea, injection site inflammation, and flushing of face or hands; rhinitis, epistaxis, back pain, arthralgia, and headache have been reported with use of the nasal spray.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain
• Frequency not reported: Salty taste, diarrhea

With parenteral use, nausea with or without vomiting appears most frequently upon treatment initiation and tends to decrease or disappear with continued use.

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Inflammatory reactions at the site of injection

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Poor appetite
• Postmarketing reports: Hypocalcemia with tetany (muscle cramps, twitching) and seizure activity

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Serious hypersensitivity reactions including bronchospasm, swelling of the tongue or throat, anaphylactic shock, and death due to anaphylaxis

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Rhinitis (12%), symptoms of nose (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Epistaxis, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection, bronchospasm
• Postmarketing reports: Cough, dyspnea^[Ref]

Symptoms of nose include: Nasal crusts, dryness, redness or erythema, nasal sores, irritation, itching, thick feeling, soreness, pallor, infection, stenosis, runny/blocked, small wound, bleeding wound, tenderness, uncomfortable feeling, and sore across bridge of nose.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Pedal edema
• Postmarketing reports: Edema (facial, peripheral, and generalized), hypertension, chest pain syncope, vasodilation

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, paresthesia
• Postmarketing reports: Headache, tremor, seizure, loss of taste/smell

Immunologic

• Postmarketing reports: Anti-drug antibodies

For those that antibody studies were done, circulating antibodies to calcitonin were found in about 50% of patients with Paget's disease after 2 to 18 months of treatment. Circulating antibodies have also been reported with use of the nasal spray.

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Flushing of hand or face, erythematous rash
• Frequency not reported: Skin rashes and pruritus of ear lobes
• Postmarketing reports: Urticaria, rash/dermatitis, pruritus, alopecia, increased sweating

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, arthralgia, arthrosis, myalgia
• Postmarketing reports: Musculoskeletal pain^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Lymphadenopathy

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal lacrimation, conjunctivitis
• Frequency not reported: Eye pain
• Postmarketing reports: Visual disturbance, visual or hearing impairment, tinnitus

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Depression

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Nocturia
• Postmarketing reports: Polyuria

Oncologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Malignancy

A meta-analysis of 21 randomized, controlled clinical trials among patients using the nasal spray or an investigational oral formulation found the overall incidence of malignancy in patients receiving this drug was 4.1% (254/6151) compared to 2.9% (137/4732) in placebo. An analyses of just nasal spray trials showed the incidence was similar (4.5% vs 2.3%). Data has shown the increased risk was heavily influenced by a single large 5-year trial. A mechanism for this increased risk has not been identified.

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Influenza-like symptoms
• Frequency not reported: Feverish sensation
• Postmarketing reports: Fatigue

Further information

Calcitonin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer