CALCITONIN SALMON

Chemistry - A polypeptide hormone, calcitonin is a 32-amino acid polypeptide having a molecularweight of about 3600. Calcitonin is available commercially as either calcitonin human, or calcitoninsalmon, both of which are synthetically prepared. Potency of calcitonin salmon is expressed ininternational units (IU). Calcitonin salmon is approximately 50X more potent than calcitonin humanon a per weight basis..

Storage, Stability, Compatibility

Calcitonin salmon for injection should be stored in the refrigerator (2-8°C).

Pharmacology - CALCITONIN SALMON

Calcitonin has a multitude of physiologic effects. It principally acts on bone inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption. By reducing tubular reabsorption of calcium, phosphate, sodium, magnesium, potassium and chloride it promotes their renal excretion. Calcitonin also increases jejunal secretion of water, sodium, potassium and chloride (not calcium).

Uses, Indications

In small animals, calcitonin has been used as adjunctive therapy to control hypercalcemia.

Pharmacokinetics - CALCITONIN SALMON

Calcitonin is destroyed in the gut after oral administration and therefore mustbe administered parenterally. In humans, the onset of effect after IV administration of calcitoninsalmon is immediate. After IM or SubQ administration onset occurs within 15 minutes withmaximal effects occurring in about 4 hours. Duration of action is 8-14 hours after IM or SubQinjection. The drug is thought to be rapidly metabolized by the kidneys, in the blood and in peripheral tissues.

Contraindications, Precautions, Reproductive Safety

Calcitonin is contraindicated in animals hypersensitive to it. Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to other proteins may be at risk.
Young animals are reportedly up to 100 times more sensitive to calcitonin than are older animals (adults).
There is little information on the reproductive safety of calcitonin. However, it does not cross the placenta. Very high doses have decreased birth weights in laboratory animals, presumably due to the metabolic effects of the drug. Calcitonin has been shown to inhibit lactation.

Adverse Effects, Warnings

There is not a well documented adverse effect profile for calcitoninin domestic animals. Anorexia has been reported in one dog treated with calcitonin. The followingeffects are documented in humans and potentially could be seen in animals: diarrhea, anorexia, vomiting, swelling and pain at injection site, redness and peripheral paresthesias. Rarely, allergicreactions may occur. Tachyphylaxis (resistance to drug therapy with time) may occur in some dogstreated.

Overdosage, Acute Toxicity

Very limited data available. Nausea and vomiting have been reportedafter accidental overdose injections.

Drug Interactions

Vitamin D analogs and calcium products may interfere with the efficacy ofcalcitonin.