Calcitonin

What is calcitonin and what's it used for?

Calcitonin is used as a short-term treatment (for 2–4 weeks) to help prevent bone loss if you're immobilised following an osteoporotic fracture.

It may be given by injection:

  • under the skin (subcutaneous injection)
  • into a muscle (intramuscular injection).

In the UK, calcitonin is no longer available as a nasal spray for the long-term treatment of osteoporosis.

Calcitonin side-effects and risks

Possible side-effects include:

  • nausea or vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • abdominal pain
  • flushing
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • musculoskeletal pain
  • taste disturbance.
Joint care: Looking after your joints when you have arthritis

Joint care: Looking after your joints when you have arthritis

When you’re dealing with joint pain, everyday tasks such as getting in and out of the shower, getting dressed or making the bed can feel like a struggle. However, you can reduce the pain and strain on your joints by changing the way you do things. This is called joint protection or joint care. 

Find out how to care for your joints

Arthritis treatments