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Forteo: 7 things you should know

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 17, 2024.

1. How it works

2. Upsides

3. Downsides

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:

Note: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects. View complete list of side effects

4. Bottom Line

Forteo mimics the action of parathyroid hormone to regulate calcium and phosphate metabolism and is given to people with osteoporosis at high risk of fractures. It is injected under the skin once a day but most people can be taught how to self-administer it. Proper needle disposal regulations should always be followed.

5. Tips

6. Response and effectiveness

7. Interactions

Medicines that interact with Forteo may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with Forteo. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed.

Common medications that may interact with Forteo include:

People taking Forteo should not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. Smoking can reduce your bone mineral density, making fractures more likely.

Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with Forteo, You should refer to the prescribing information for Forteo for a complete list of interactions.

References

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Forteo only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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