Fortical

Fortical

Generic Name: calcitonin nasal (kal si TOE nin)

Brand Names: Fortical, Miacalcin Nasal

What is Fortical?

Fortical (calcitonin - a polypeptide hormone) is a man-made form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the thyroid gland.

Fortical is used to treat osteoporosis (fragile or brittle bones) in women who have been in menopause for at least 5 years. It should be used along with adequate calcium and vitamin D intake.

Fortical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Fortical

To make sure you are not allergic to Fortical, your doctor may perform an allergy skin test before your first dose of this medicine.

Before using Fortical, tell your doctor if you have any nasal or sinus problems such as nasal deformities, a chronic infection, or nasal pain.

Avoid using any other nasal sprays or medicines at the same time you use Fortical unless your doctor has told you to.

Call your doctor at once if you have any type of severe irritation of your nose, or if you feel light-headed or faint.

Less serious nasal irritation is more likely to occur, such as minor bleeding, redness, itching, tenderness, dryness, crusting, scabs, or nasal congestion.

To be sure Fortical is not causing harmful side effects to the inside of your nose, your doctor may want to check your nasal passages on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Before using Fortical

Do not use Fortical if you are allergic to salmon calcitonin.

Before using Fortical, tell your doctor if you have any nasal or sinus problems such as nasal deformities, a chronic infection, or nasal pain.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Fortical is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether calcitonin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Fortical without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Fortical pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I use Fortical?

Use Fortical exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

To make sure you are not allergic to this medication, your doctor may perform an allergy skin test before your first dose of Fortical.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Store unopened Fortical in the refrigerator but do not allow it to freeze. Once you put the bottle and pump assembly together, you may keep the medicine at room temperature, away from light and heat. Keep the bottle upright while stored. Throw away any unused medicine after 35 days.

Before your first use of the assembled bottle and pump, you must prime the spray. Allow the medicine to reach room temperature before priming.

To prime Fortical, spray the medicine into the air and away from your face, until a fine mist appears. You will need to prime the pump only before your first use of the newly assembled bottle.

Fortical is usually given as one spray per day into only one of your nostrils. Use the other nostril the next day and continue alternating back and forth for each daily dose.

Before each use, gently blow your nose to clear your nostrils.

Hold the nasal spray upright with your first and second fingers on each side of the pump and your thumb on the bottom of the bottle.

Gently insert the sprayer tip into the nostril but not far into your nose. Bend your head forward to aim the spray toward the back of your nose. Pump the spray unit firmly to spray the medicine into your nostril. You do not need to sniff or inhale deeply.

Fortical spray delivers a fine mist into the nose. Even if you do not feel the spray while using it, the medication is still being absorbed by your nasal passages.

Avoid blowing your nose for several minutes after using this medication.

Each bottle contains 30 doses of Fortical. Throw away the medicine after 30 uses, even if there is still medicine left in the bottle.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful side effects to the inside of your nose, your doctor may want to check your nasal passages on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

An overdose of Fortical is not likely to produce life-threatening side effects.

What should I avoid while using Fortical?

Avoid using any other nasal sprays or nasal medicines at the same time you use Fortical unless your doctor has told you to.

Fortical side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Fortical: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

feeling light-headed, fainting; or

severe nasal irritation.

Less serious side effects may include:

bleeding from your nose;

runny or stuffy nose;

dryness, itching, tenderness, or general discomfort of your nose;

crusting, scabs, or sores inside your nose;

redness in or around your nose;

warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin;

headache;

back pain; or

nausea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Fortical side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Fortical?

There may be other drugs that can interact with Fortical. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Fortical resources

Fortical Side Effects (in More Detail)

Fortical Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Fortical Drug Interactions

Fortical Support Group

1 Review for Fortical - Add your own review/rating

Fortical Prescribing Information (FDA)

Fortical Spray MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Fortical Nasal Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

calcitonin Injection Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Calcitonin Monograph (AHFS DI)

Miacalcin Prescribing Information (FDA)

Miacalcin MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Fortical with other medications

Hypercalcemia

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Osteoporosis

Paget's Disease

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Fortical.