Calcitonin (Nasal-Systemic)

Brand Names : Miacalcin

Proper Use of This Medicine

This medicine usually comes with patient directions. Read them carefully before using this medicine. If you have any questions about using the pump spray, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often or for a longer time than directed.

To assemble the pump:

• If your medicine and its pump were not already assembled by the pharmacist, carefully follow the instructions provided:
• Remove the bottle of solution from the refrigerator and let it sit until it warms to room temperature (less than 77 �F).
• Lift the blue plastic tab and pull the metal safety seal off the bottle.
• Hold the bottle upright and carefully pull the rubber stopper out of the bottle.
• Hold the spray pump unit and remove the plastic cap from the bottom of the unit.
• Hold the bottle upright and place the spray pump unit into the bottle.
• Turn the spray pump unit clockwise and tighten it until it is securely fastened.

To prepare this medicine:

• Before you use a new bottle of calcitonin spray, the spray pump will need to be primed (started). If your pharmacist assembled the unit for you, check to see if it has already been primed by pumping the unit once. If a full spray comes out, the unit has already been primed; if not, you must prime the pump.
• To prime, hold the bottle upright and away from you, then pump it several times until you see a faint spray.
• Do not prime the pump again before each daily use.

To use the nose spray:

• Before using the spray, blow your nose gently.
• Keeping your head in an upright position, carefully place the nozzle into one nostril.
• Press the pump toward the bottle one time. Do not spray more than once.
• Do not inhale while spraying.
• To keep the nosepiece clean, wipe it with a clean tissue and replace the dust cap after use.

Dosing - The dose of calcitonin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of calcitonin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For nasal dosage form (nose spray):
  • For treatment of women with osteoporosis after menopause:
    • Adults - One spray into one nostril once a day. It is best to spray into the nostril on one side one day and the other side the next day.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store in the refrigerator until it is opened for the first time. However, keep the medicine from freezing.
• After the bottle is opened, it may be kept at room temperature (no more than 77 �F) until the medicine is gone (2 weeks). Opened or unopened bottles left at room temperature for more than 30 days must be discarded.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.