Drug Reference

Teriparatide

Parathyroid hormones and analogues

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Therapeutic class
Parathyroid hormones and analogues
Action class
Parathyroid Hormone Analog
Chemical class
Parathyroid Hormone
Habit forming
No
Availability
Prescription (Rx)

Brand names

BonsityForteoYorvipath

Available as

0.02 MG/ACTUAT0.56 ML0.98 ML1.4 ML

FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.

Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Teriparatide injection is indicated: For the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture (defined herein as having a history of osteoporotic fracture or multiple risk factors for fracture) or who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy. In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, teriparatide injection reduces the risk of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures. To increase bone mass in men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis at high risk for fracture or who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy. For the treatment of men and women with osteoporosis associated with sustained systemic glucocorticoid therapy (daily dosage equivalent to 5 mg or greater of prednisone) at high risk for fracture or who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy. Teriparatide injection is a parathyroid hormone analog, (PTH 1-34), indicated for: Treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture or patients who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy ( 1 ) Increase of bone mass in men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis at high risk for fracture or patients who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy ( 1 ) Treatment of men and women with osteoporosis associated with sustained systemic glucocorticoid therapy at high risk for fracture or patients who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy ( 1 )
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Endogenous 84-amino acid parathyroid hormone (PTH) is the primary regulator of calcium and phosphate metabolism in bone and kidney. Physiological actions of PTH include regulation of bone metabolism, renal tubular reabsorption of calcium and phosphate, and intestinal calcium absorption. The biological actions of PTH and teriparatide are mediated through binding to specific high-affinity cell-surface receptors. Teriparatide and the 34 N-terminal amino acids of PTH bind to these receptors with the same affinity and have the same physiological actions on bone and kidney. Teriparatide is not expected to accumulate in bone or other tissues. The skeletal effects of teriparatide depend upon the pattern of systemic exposure. Once-daily administration of teriparatide stimulates new bone formation on trabecular and cortical (periosteal and/or endosteal) bone surfaces by preferential stimulation of osteoblastic activity over osteoclastic activity. In monkey studies, teriparatide improved trabecular microarchitecture and increased bone mass and strength by stimulating new bone formation in both cancellous and cortical bone. In humans, the anabolic effects of teriparatide manifest as an increase in skeletal mass, an increase in markers of bone formation and resorption, and an increase in bone strength. By contrast, continuous excess of endogenous PTH, as occurs in hyperparathyroidism, may be detrimental to the skeleton because bone resorption may be stimulated more than bone formation.
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended dosage is 20 mcg subcutaneously once a day ( 2.1 ) Consider supplemental calcium and Vitamin D based on individual patient needs ( 2.1 ) Administer as a subcutaneous injection into the thigh or abdominal region ( 2.2 ) Administer initially under circumstances in which the patient can sit or lie down if symptoms of orthostatic hypotension occur ( 2.2 ) Use of teriparatide for more than 2 years during a patient's lifetime should only be considered if a patient remains at or has returned to having a high risk for fracture ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage is 20 mcg given subcutaneously once a day. Instruct patients to take supplemental calcium and vitamin D if daily dietary intake is inadequate. 2.2 Administration Instructions Administer teriparatide injection as a subcutaneous injection into the thigh or abdominal region. Teriparatide injection is not approved for intravenous or intramuscular use. Teriparatide injection should be administered initially under circumstances in which the patient can sit or lie down if symptoms of orthostatic hypotension occur [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] . Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration (teriparatide injection is a clear and colorless liquid). Do not use if solid particles appear or if the solution is cloudy or colored. Patients and/or caregivers who administer teriparatide injection should receive appropriate training and instruction on the proper use of the teriparatide injection delivery device from a qualified health professional. 2.3 Recommended Treatment Duration Use of teriparatide for more than 2 years during a patient's lifetime should only be considered if a patient remains at or has returned to having a high risk for fracture [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] .
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions (>10%) include: arthralgia, pain, and nausea ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Alvogen, Inc. at 1-866-770-3024 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Men with Primary or Hypogonadal Osteoporosis and Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis The safety of teriparatide in the treatment of osteoporosis in men and postmenopausal women was assessed in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of 1382 patients (21% men, 79% women) aged 28 to 86 years (mean 67 years) [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 , 14.2 )] . The median durations of the trials were 11 months for men and 19 months for women, with 691 patients exposed to teriparatide and 691 patients to placebo. All patients received 1000 mg of calcium plus at least 400 IU of vitamin D supplementation per day. The incidence of all-cause mortality was 1% in the teriparatide group and 1% in the placebo group. The incidence of serious adverse events was 16% in the teriparatide group and 19% in the placebo group. Early discontinuation due to adverse events occurred in 7% in the teriparatide group and 6% in the placebo group. Table 1 lists adverse events from these two trials that occurred in ≥2% of teriparatide-treated and more frequently than placebo-treated patients. Table 1. Percentage of Patients with Adverse Events Reported by at Least 2% of Teriparatide-Treated Patients and in More Teriparatide-Treated Patients than Placebo-Treated Patients from the Two Principal Osteoporosis Trials in Women and Men (Adverse Events are Shown Without Attribution of Causality) Teriparatide N=691 Placebo N=691 Event Classification (%) (%) Body as a Whole Pain 21.3 20.5 Headache 7.5 7.4 Asthenia 8.7 6.8 Neck pain 3.0 2.7 Cardiovascular Hypertension 7.1 6.8 Angina pectoris 2.5 1.6 Syncope 2.6 1.4 Digestive System Nausea 8.5 6.7 Constipation 5.4 4.5 Diarrhea 5.1 4.6 Dyspepsia 5.2 4.1 Vomiting 3.0 2.3 Gastrointestinal disorder 2.3 2.0 Tooth disorder 2.0 1.3 Musculoskeletal Arthralgia 10.1 8.4 Leg cramps 2.6 1.3 Nervous System Dizziness 8.0 5.4 Depression 4.1 2.7 Insomnia 4.3 3.6 Vertigo 3.8 2.7 Respiratory System Rhinitis 9.6 8.8 Cough increased 6.4 5.5 Pharyngitis 5.5 4.8 Dyspnea 3.6 2.6 Pneumonia 3.9 3.3 Skin and Appendages Rash 4.9 4.5 Sweating 2.2 1.7 Laboratory Findings Serum Calcium - Teriparatide transiently increased serum calcium, with the maximal effect observed at approximately 4 to 6 hours post-dose. Serum calcium measured at least 16 hours post-dose was not different from pretreatment levels. In clinical trials, the frequency of at least 1 episode of transient hypercalcemia in the 4 to 6 hours after teriparatide administration was 11% of women and 6% of men treated with teriparatide compared to 2% of women and 0% of the men treated with placebo. The percentage of patients treated with teriparatide whose transient hypercalcemia was verified on consecutive measurements was 3% of women and 1% of men. Urinary Calcium - Teriparatide increased urinary calcium excretion, but the frequency of hypercalciuria in clinical trials was similar for patients treated with teriparatide and placebo [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )] . Serum Uric Acid - Teriparatide increased serum uric acid concentrations. In clinical trials, 3% of teriparatide-treated patients had serum uric acid concentrations above the upper limit of normal compared with 1% of placebo-treated patients. However, the hyperuricemia did not result in an increase in gout, arthralgia, or urolithiasis. Renal Function - No clinically important adverse renal effects were observed in clinical studies. Assessments included creatinine clearance; measurements of blood urea

Safety advice

Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.

PregnancyUnsafe
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available data on teriparatide injection use in pregnant women to evaluate for drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Consider discontinuing teriparatide injection when pregnancy is recognized. In animal reproduction studies, teriparatide increased skeletal deviations and variations in mouse offspring at subcutaneous doses equivalent to more than 60 times the recommended 20 mcg human daily dose (based on body surface area, mcg/m 2 ), and produced mild growth retardation and reduced motor activity in rat offspring at subcutaneous doses equivalent to more than 120 times the human dose (see Data) . The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. The background risk in the US general population of major birth defects is 2% to 4% and of miscarriage is 15% to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Data Animal Data In animal reproduction studies, pregnant mice received teriparatide during organogenesis at subcutaneous doses equivalent to 8 to 267 times the human dose (based on body surface area, mcg/m 2 ). At subcutaneous doses ≥60 times the human dose, the fetuses showed an increased incidence of skeletal deviations or variations (interrupted rib, extra vertebra or rib). When pregnant rats received teriparatide during organogenesis at subcutaneous doses 16 to 540 times the human dose, the fetuses showed no abnormal findings. In a perinatal/postnatal study in pregnant rats dosed subcutaneously from organogenesis through lactation, mild growth retardation was observed in female offspring at doses ≥120 times the human dose. Mild growth retardation in male offspring and reduced motor activity in both male and female offspring were observed at maternal doses of 540 times the human dose. There were no developmental or reproductive effects in mice or rats at doses 8 or 16 times the human dose, respectively.
BreastfeedingCaution
…Consider discontinuing when pregnancy is recognized ( 8.1 ) Lactation: Breastfeeding is not recommended ( 8.2 ) Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness not established.…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyConsult your doctor
…8.7 Renal Impairment In 5 patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/minute), the AUC and T 1/2 of teriparatide were increased by 73% and 77%, respectively.…
LiverConsult your doctor
…8.6 Hepatic Impairment No studies have been performed in patients with hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .…
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Osteosarcoma : Avoid use in patients with increased risk of osteosarcoma including patients with open epiphyses, metabolic bone diseases including Paget's disease, bone metastases or history of skeletal malignancies, prior external beam or implant radiation therapy involving the skeleton, and hereditary disorders predisposing to osteosarcoma. ( 5.1 ) Hypercalcemia and Cutaneous Calcification : Avoid in patients known to have an underlying hypercalcemic disorder. Discontinue in patients developing worsening of previously stable cutaneous calcification. ( 5.2 ) Risk of Urolithiasis : Consider the risk/benefit in patients with active or recent urolithiasis because of risk of exacerbation ( 5.3 ) Orthostatic Hypotension : Transient orthostatic hypotension may occur with initial doses of teriparatide injection ( 5.4 ) 5.1 Osteosarcoma An increase in the incidence of osteosarcoma (a malignant bone tumor) was observed in male and female rats treated with teriparatide. Osteosarcoma has been reported in patients treated with teriparatide in the post marketing setting; however, an increased risk of osteosarcoma has not been observed in observational studies in humans. There are limited data assessing the risk of osteosarcoma beyond 2 years of teriparatide use [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ), Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 ), Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )] . Avoid teriparatide injection use in patients with (these patients are at increased baseline risk of osteosarcoma): Open epiphyses (pediatric and young adult patients) (teriparatide injection is not approved in pediatric patients) [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )] . Metabolic bone diseases other than osteoporosis, including Paget's disease of the bone. Bone metastases or a history of skeletal malignancies. Prior external beam or implant radiation therapy involving the skeleton. Hereditary disorders predisposing to osteosarcoma. 5.2 Hypercalcemia and Cutaneous Calcification Hypercalcemia Teriparatide has not been studied in patients with pre-existing hypercalcemia. Teriparatide may cause hypercalcemia and may exacerbate hypercalcemia in patients with pre-existing hypercalcemia [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 , 6.2 )] . Avoid teriparatide injection in patients known to have an underlying hypercalcemic disorder, such as primary hyperparathyroidism. Risk of Cutaneous Calcification Including Calciphylaxis Serious reports of calciphylaxis and worsening of previously stable cutaneous calcification have been reported in the post-marketing setting in patients taking teriparatide. Risk factors for development of calciphylaxis include underlying autoimmune disease, kidney failure, and concomitant warfarin or systemic corticosteroid use. Discontinue teriparatide injection in patients who develop calciphylaxis or worsening of previously stable cutaneous calcification. 5.3 Risk of Urolithiasis In clinical trials, the frequency of urolithiasis was similar in patients treated with teriparatide and patients treated with placebo. However, teriparatide has not been studied in patients with active urolithiasis. If teriparatide injection-treated patients have pre-existing hypercalciuria or suspected/known active urolithiasis, consider measuring urinary calcium excretion. Consider the risks and benefits of use in patients with active or recent urolithiasis because of the potential to exacerbate this condition. 5.4 Orthostatic Hypotension Teriparatide injection should be administered initially under circumstances in which the patient can sit or lie down if symptoms of orthostatic hypotension occur. In short-term clinical pharmacology studies of teriparatide in healthy volunteers, transient episodes of symptomatic orthostatic hypotension were observed in 5% of volunteers. Typically, these events began within 4 hours of dosing and resolved (without treatment) within a few minutes to a few hours. When transient orthostatic hypotension occurred, it happened within the first sev
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Teriparatide injection is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to teriparatide or to any of its excipients. Hypersensitivity reactions have included angioedema and anaphylaxis [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . Patients with hypersensitivity to teriparatide or to any of its excipients ( 4 )

Pediatric use

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of teriparatide have not been established in pediatric patients. Pediatric patients are at higher baseline risk of osteosarcoma because of open epiphyses [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] .

⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.

Interactions (label text — not an interaction checker)
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Digoxin: Transient hypercalcemia may predispose patients to digitalis toxicity ( 5.5 , 7.1 ) 7.1 Digoxin Sporadic case reports have suggested that hypercalcemia may predispose patients to digitalis toxicity. Teriparatide may transiently increase serum calcium. Consider the potential onset of signs and symptoms of digitalis toxicity when teriparatide injection is used in patients receiving digoxin [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .
Overdose
10 OVERDOSAGE In postmarketing spontaneous reports, there have been cases of medication errors in which the entire contents (up to 800 mcg) (40 times the recommended dose) of the teriparatide prefilled delivery device (pen) have been administered as a single dose. Transient events reported have included nausea, weakness/lethargy and hypotension. No fatalities associated with overdose have been reported. Additional signs, symptoms, and complications of teriparatide overdosage may include a delayed hypercalcemic effect, vomiting, dizziness, and headache. Overdose Management - There is no specific antidote for a teriparatide overdosage. Treatment of suspected overdosage should include discontinuation of teriparatide injection, monitoring of serum calcium and phosphorus, and implementation of appropriate supportive measures, such as hydration.
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)

9 marketed products on record (RxNorm)

Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.