Version August 2025
Note: Assess serum calcium prior to initiation; avoid use in patients with preexisting hypercalcemia or hypercalcemic disorder. Correct vitamin D deficiency (eg, to a 25-hydroxyvitamin D level ≥20 ng/mL [≥50 nmol/L]) prior to initiating therapy and ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake during therapy; however, use caution to avoid hypercalcemia (Ref).
Osteoporosis, glucocorticoid induced : Note: For use in patients whose baseline fracture risk is very high according to a risk assessment, or in patients in whom antiresorptive therapy (eg, bisphosphonates) is not appropriate. Avoid use in females who are pregnant, who plan on becoming pregnant, or who are not using effective birth control (Ref).
SUBQ: 20 mcg once daily.
Osteoporosis, fracture risk reduction (males and postmenopausal females):
Note: For use as initial therapy in patients with very high fracture risk, including those with a T-score less than –3, a T-score less than –2.5 with fragility fracture history, or severe or multiple prior vertebral fractures. May also be used as an alternative agent in patients with high fracture risk in whom first-line therapies are ineffective or cannot be used (Ref). Prior to use, evaluate and treat any potential causes of secondary osteoporosis (eg, severe vitamin D deficiency) (Ref).
SUBQ: 20 mcg once daily.
Duration of therapy: Duration of teriparatide therapy should generally not exceed 2 years due to limited data with use beyond this; fracture reduction efficacy has been demonstrated over a period of 18 to 24 months (Ref).
Discontinuation/interruption of therapy: Following a course of teriparatide, switch to antiresorptive therapy (eg, with a bisphosphonate or denosumab) to maintain bone density gains (Ref).
Dosage adjustment for concomitant therapy: Significant drug interactions exist, requiring dose/frequency adjustment or avoidance. Consult drug interactions database for more information.
The renal dosing recommendations are based upon the best available evidence and clinical expertise. Senior Editorial Team: Bruce Mueller, PharmD, FCCP, FASN, FNKF; Jason A. Roberts, PhD, BPharm (Hons), B App Sc, FSHP, FISAC; Michael Heung, MD, MS.
Altered kidney function:
eGFR ≥30 mL/minute/1.73 m2: No dosage adjustment necessary (Ref).
eGFR <30 mL/minute/1.73 m2: Use only in patients at very high risk for fracture and in conjunction with guidance from patient's nephrology team, as osteoporosis can be difficult to distinguish from chronic kidney disease mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MDB); many patients with CKD-MBD will already have elevated parathyroid hormone levels, and teriparatide safety and efficacy data are limited (Ref). If treatment is necessary, no dosage adjustment is likely to be necessary.
Hemodialysis, intermittent (thrice weekly): Unlikely to be significantly dialyzed (large molecular weight) (Ref): Use should generally be avoided. If treatment is necessary, dose as in eGFR <30 mL/minute/1.73m2 (Ref).
Peritoneal dialysis: Unlikely to be significantly dialyzed (large molecular weight): Use should generally be avoided. If treatment is necessary, dose as in eGFR <30 mL/minute/1.73m2 (Ref).
CRRT: No dosage adjustment likely to be necessary (Ref).
PIRRT (eg, sustained, low-efficiency diafiltration): No dosage adjustment likely to be necessary (Ref).
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling (has not been studied).
Refer to adult dosing.
The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified. Adverse reactions reported in adults.
>10%:
Endocrine & metabolic: Hypercalcemia (females: 11%; males: 6%)
Gastrointestinal: Nausea (9% to 14%)
1% to 10%:
Cardiovascular: Angina pectoris (3%), syncope (3%)
Endocrine & metabolic: Hyperuricemia (3%)
Gastrointestinal: Dyspepsia (5%), gastritis (7%), vomiting (3%)
Immunologic: Antibody development (2% to 3%; neutralizing antibodies: 1%)
Infection: Herpes zoster infection (3%)
Nervous system: Anxiety (4%), asthenia (9%), depression (4%), dizziness (8%), headache (8%), insomnia (5%), vertigo (4%)
Neuromuscular & skeletal: Arthralgia (10%), lower limb cramp (3%)
Respiratory: Dyspnea (4% to 6%; including acute dyspnea), pharyngitis (6%), pneumonia (3% to 6%), rhinitis (10%)
Frequency not defined: Cardiovascular: Orthostatic hypotension (transient)
Postmarketing:
Cardiovascular: Chest pain
Dermatologic: Cutaneous calcification (including calciphylaxis and exacerbation of cutaneous calcification)
Hematologic & oncologic: Osteosarcoma
Hypersensitivity: Facial edema, hypersensitivity reaction (including anaphylaxis and angioedema), mouth edema
Local: Injection-site reaction (including bruising at injection site, pain at injection site, swelling at injection site)
Neuromuscular & skeletal: Muscle spasm
Hypersensitivity (eg, anaphylaxis, angioedema) to teriparatide or any component of the formulation.
Canadian labeling: Additional contraindications (not in US labeling): Preexisting hypercalcemia; severe renal impairment; metabolic bone diseases other than primary osteoporosis (including hyperparathyroidism and Paget disease of the bone); unexplained elevations of alkaline phosphatase; prior external beam or implant radiation therapy involving the skeleton; bone metastases or history of skeletal malignancies; pregnancy; breastfeeding; pediatric patients or young adults with open epiphysis.
Concerns related to adverse effects:
• Cutaneous calcification: Serious worsening of previous stable cutaneous calcification or calciphylaxis has been reported; discontinue use if occurs. Patients with underlying autoimmune disease, kidney failure, or concomitantly taking warfarin or systemic corticosteroids are at increased risk.
• Orthostatic hypotension: May cause orthostatic hypotension. Transient orthostatic hypotension usually occurs within 4 hours of dosing and within the first several doses; usually resolved without treatment within a few minutes to a few hours.
• Osteosarcoma: Generic product: There have been postmarketing reports of osteosarcoma; however, an increased risk has not been observed in observational studies. Avoid use in patients at an increased baseline risk of osteosarcoma (eg, open epiphyses, metabolic bone diseases other than osteoporosis [Paget disease], bone metastases, history of skeletal malignancies, previous external beam or implant skeletal radiation, hereditary disorders predisposing to osteosarcoma).
Disease-related concerns:
• Hypercalcemia: Use with caution in patients with hypercalcemia (not studied); may increase or exacerbate hypercalcemia. Avoid use in patients with known or history of hypercalcemia disorder (eg, primary hyperparathyroidism).
• Urolithiasis: Use with caution in patients with active or recent urolithiasis because of risk of exacerbation.
Dosage form specific issues:
• Multiple-dose injection pens: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pen-shaped injection devices should never be used for more than one person (even when the needle is changed) because of the risk of infection. The injection device should be clearly labeled with individual patient information to ensure that the correct pen is used (CDC 2012).
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Solution Pen-injector, Subcutaneous:
Forteo: 560 mcg/2.24 mL (2.24 mL) [contains metacresol]
Generic: 560 mcg/2.24 mL (2.24 mL); 620 mcg/2.48 mL (2.48 mL)
Yes
Solution Pen-injector (Forteo Subcutaneous)
560MCG/2.24ML (per mL): $2,298.16
Solution Pen-injector (Teriparatide Subcutaneous)
560MCG/2.24ML (per mL): $2,119.66
620MCG/2.48ML (per mL): $1,197.58
Disclaimer: A representative AWP (Average Wholesale Price) price or price range is provided as reference price only. A range is provided when more than one manufacturer's AWP price is available and uses the low and high price reported by the manufacturers to determine the range. The pricing data should be used for benchmarking purposes only, and as such should not be used alone to set or adjudicate any prices for reimbursement or purchasing functions or considered to be an exact price for a single product and/or manufacturer. Medi-Span expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind or nature, whether express or implied, and assumes no liability with respect to accuracy of price or price range data published in its solutions. In no event shall Medi-Span be liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of price or price range data. Pricing data is updated monthly.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Solution Cartridge, Subcutaneous:
Osnuvo: 600 mcg/2.4 mL (2.4 mL) [contains metacresol]
Solution Pen-injector, Subcutaneous:
Forteo: 750 mcg/3 mL (3 mL) [contains metacresol]
Generic: 600 mcg/2.4 mL (2.4 mL)
SUBQ: Initial administration should occur under circumstances in which the patient may sit or lie down, in the event of orthostasis.
Inject into the thigh or abdominal wall. Administer without regard to meals or time of day. May administer dose immediately following removal from the refrigerator. Each teriparatide delivery device can be used for up to 28 days after the first injection. Note: The 3 mL prefilled pen [Canadian product] must be primed prior to each dose.
An FDA-approved patient medication guide, which is available with the product information and as follows, must be dispensed with this medication:
Bonsity: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/211939s004lbl.pdf#page=23
Osteoporosis: Treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal females who are at high risk for fracture (defined as history of osteoporotic fracture or multiple risk factors for fracture); treatment to increase bone mass in males with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis who are high risk for fracture; treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in patients taking a prednisone dosage of ≥5 mg/day (or equivalent) at a high risk for fracture. May also be used in patients who are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy or in whom these therapies have failed.
Limitations of use: Cumulative lifetime duration of teriparatide beyond 2 years should only be considered if a patient remains at or has returned to having a high risk of fracture.
Note: In Canada, Osnuvo is approved as a biosimilar to Forteo.
Teriparatide may be confused with tirzepatide.
Forteo may be confused with Forfivo XL
None known.
Note: Interacting drugs may not be individually listed below if they are part of a group interaction (eg, individual drugs within “CYP3A4 Inducers [Strong]” are NOT listed). For a complete list of drug interactions by individual drug name and detailed management recommendations, use the drug interactions program by clicking on the “Launch drug interactions program” link above.
Cardiac Glycosides: Parathyroid Hormone Products may increase arrhythmogenic effects of Cardiac Glycosides. Risk C: Monitor
Teriparatide can be considered for the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in premenopausal patients with moderate or higher fracture risk who do not plan to become pregnant during the treatment period and who are using effective birth control (or are not sexually active) if growth plates have closed (ACR [Humphrey 2023]).
Adverse events were observed in animal reproduction studies; consider discontinuing treatment once pregnancy is recognized.
Changes in bone metabolism that occur during pregnancy and postpartum may be associated with the development of pregnancy- and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLAO). Data related to the pharmacologic treatment and duration of treatment of PLAO are limited and specific recommendations are not available. Teriparatide may be one option when treatment is initiated postpartum (Anagnostis 2024; Hardcastle 2022; Pepe 2020; Qian 2021).
It is not known if teriparatide is present in breast milk.
The manufacturer recommends avoiding use in patients who are breastfeeding.
Changes in bone metabolism that occur during pregnancy and postpartum may be associated with the development of pregnancy- and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLAO). Data related to the pharmacologic treatment and duration of treatment of PLAO are limited and specific recommendations are not available. Teriparatide may be one option when treatment is initiated postpartum; breastfeeding is not recommended (Anagnostis 2024; Hardcastle 2022; Pepe 2020; Qian 2021).
Ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake; if dietary intake is inadequate, dietary supplementation is recommended. Patients should consume:
Calcium: 1,000 mg/day (males: 50 to 70 years of age) or 1,200 mg/day (females ≥51 years of age and males ≥71 years of age) (IOM 2011; NOF [Cosman 2014]). Some clinicians have suggested limiting calcium to ≤1,000 mg/day in patients taking teriparatide (Licata 2005).
Vitamin D: 800 to 1,000 units/day (age ≥50 years) (NOF [Cosman 2014]). Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA): 600 units/day (age ≤70 years) or 800 units/day (age ≥71 years) (IOM 2011).
Orthostatic hypotension; serum calcium (draw at least 16 hours after teriparatide dose); urinary calcium (patients with suspected active urolithiasis or preexisting hypercalciuria).
Bone mineral density (BMD) should be evaluated at baseline and ~1 to 2 years following initiation of therapy) (AACE/ACE [Camacho 2020]; ES [Eastell 2019]; NOF [Cosman 2014]); may consider monitoring biochemical markers of bone turnover (eg, serum P1NP) at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months to assess treatment response (ES [Eastell 2019]; Miller 2016). In patients receiving glucocorticoid treatment, monitor BMD after 6 to 12 months, then every 2 to 3 years if patient continues to have significant osteoporosis risk factors (ACR [Humphrey 2023]).
Teriparatide is a recombinant formulation of endogenous parathyroid hormone (PTH), containing a 34-amino-acid sequence which is identical to the N-terminal portion of this hormone. The pharmacologic activity of teriparatide, which is similar to the physiologic activity of PTH, includes stimulating osteoblast function, increasing gastrointestinal calcium absorption, and increasing renal tubular reabsorption of calcium. Treatment with teriparatide results in increased bone mineral density, bone mass, and strength. In postmenopausal females, teriparatide has been shown to decrease osteoporosis-related fractures.
Distribution: Vd: ~0.12 L/kg.
Metabolism: Hepatic (nonspecific proteolysis).
Bioavailability: ~95%.
Half-life elimination: IV: 5 minutes; SubQ: ~1 hour.
Time to peak, serum: ~30 minutes.
Excretion: Urine (as metabolites).
Altered kidney function: In patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl less than 30 mL/min), the AUC and half-life increased 73% and 77%, respectively. Maximum serum concentration was not increased.
Sex: Systemic exposure is approximately 20% to 30% lower in males.
