|
|
|
(C) Vancouver
General Hospital.
This monograph may not be reproduced without permission.
For further information, please contact a Pharmacist. |
NAME OF DRUG
calcitonin salmon
CLASSIFICATION
Bone resorption inhibitor
ALTERNATE NAME
CALCIMAR, CALTINE
INDICATIONS
- treatment of symptomatic Paget's disease of the bone
- early treatment of hypercalcemic emergencies along with other appropriate agents when
a rapid decrease in serum calcium is required.
RECONSTITUTION AND STABILITY
- store in the refrigerator
COMPATIBILITY
- incompatible with other drugs in a syringe
ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION
VH & HSC ADMINISTRATION POLICY
DOSAGE
- Paget's Disease: 100 units SC, IM initially, maintenance 50-100 units daily or every
other day based on therapeutic response
- Hypercalcemia: 4 units/kg SC, IM every 12 hours. After one or two days, if
necessary, the dose may be increased to 8 units/kg every 12 hours. If the response
remains unsatisfactory after two more days the dose may be increased to 8 units/kg every
six hours
POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF PARENTERAL ADMINISTRATION
- inflammatory reaction at the injection site
- potential for systemic allergic reactions (i.e. bronchospasm, swelling of tongue and
throat, anaphylactic shock) and hypocalcemic tetany
IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS
- contraindicated for use in patients with hypersensitivity
to salmon calcitonin
- skin
testing is
recommended in patients with suspected fish
allergies as they are at higher risk of being sensitive to salmon calcitonin
- Skin Test Dilution - dilute 0.1 mL (10 units) of the 50 mg/0.5 mL solution to
1 mL with D5W or NS and mix thoroughly. Discard 0.9 mL and administer 0.1 mL (1 unit)
intradermally on the forearm. The appearance of more than mild erythema or wheal
within 15 minutes is considered a positive response.
- adverse reactions include: nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, tingling of
hands, unpleasant metallic taste
Rev. Dec 2004