Teriparatide

Teriparatide (Forteo®) is a recombinant form of parathyroid hormone, used in the treatment of advanced osteoporosis. It is manufactured and marketed by Eli Lilly and Company.

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Administration

Teriparatide is administered by injection once a day in the thigh or abdomen. The recommended dose is 20 μg per day.

Uses

Teriparatide has recently been given to patients in an ongoing clinical trial to evaluate its effectiveness in treating the symptoms of osteogenesis imperfecta.^[1]

Teriparatide should not be prescribed for patients who are at increased risks for osteosarcoma. This includes those with Paget's Disease of bone or unexplained elevations of serum alkaline phosphate, open epiphysis, or prior radiation therapy involving the skeleton.

Mechanism of action

Teriparatide is the portion of human parathyroid hormone (PTH),amino acid sequence 1 through 34 of the complete molecule which contains amino acid sequence 1 to 84. Endogenous PTH is the primary regulator of calcium and phosphate metabolism in bone and kidney. Daily injections of teriparatide stimulate new bone formation leading to increased bone mineral density.

Teriparatide is the first FDA approved agent for the treatment of osteoporosis that stimulates new bone formation.

FDA approval

Teriparatide was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on 26 November, 2002, for the treatment of osteoporosis in men and postmenopausal women who are at high risk for having a fracture. The drug is also approved to increase bone mass in men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis who are at high risk for fracture.

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