Library · Muscle, bone & joint · Treatment of osteoporosis and bone disorders
Calcitonin (Salmon)
sCT, Salcatonin, Miacalcin, Fortical, Calcimar
Synthetic peptide hormone mimicking human calcitonin, approved since the 1980s–2000s (Miacalcin, Fortical) for postmenopausal osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, and hypercalcemia by curbing osteoclast activity and calcium reabsorption. Long-term use carries a cancer-risk signal, so the FDA recommends it only when other options aren’t suitable.
Research score 88/100. Reference only, not a dose.
Boxed warning: Increased risk of certain cancers with long-term use.
- Bone Health
- Pain Relief
- Anti-inflammatory
- Hormone Regulation
- Joint Support
- US status
- Prescription Only
- Approval
- FDA Approved (Miacalcin injection: 1986; Fortical nasal spray: 2005) + EMA Approved
- Evidence
- Extensive Human Studies
- Research score
- 88 / 100
- Indication
- Osteoporosis
- Origin
- Japan
- Source category
- Muscles & Joints
- Status group
- Approved / prescription
Mechanism
Binds calcitonin receptors on osteoclasts, raising cAMP to reduce osteoclast movement, ruffled-border formation, and enzyme secretion, cutting bone resorption; also lowers renal and intestinal calcium reabsorption and has CNS-mediated analgesic effects.
Safety file
Long-term use is linked to increased cancer risk. Common effects include nausea, flushing, injection reactions, rhinitis, and headache; rare risks include severe allergy and low calcium.
- Nasal irritation
- Nosebleeds
- Headache
- Flushing
- Back pain
- Joint pain
- Nausea
- Severe allergic reactions
- Hypocalcemia