Teriparatide side effects FAQ

Teriparatide is a prescription medication used to treat symptoms of osteoporosis.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

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Common side effects of Teriparatide include:

A small percentage of people who took Forteo in studies reported a tooth disorder. The drug’s manufacturer didn’t include details about these reported tooth-related side effects. If you’re having tooth pain or other tooth-related problems, contact your doctor or dentist as soon as possible. They can determine whether your symptoms are related to Forteo.

Long-term treatment with Forteo can increase the risk of certain long-term side effects, such as osteosarcoma (a type of bone cancer). You can read more about these side effects in the “Side effect specifics” section. Ask your doctor how long you can expect to need Forteo treatment and the risks of long-term treatment. Learn more about some of the side effects that Forteo may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Forteo.

You shouldn’t experience hair loss as a side effect of Forteo. Hair loss wasn’t reported in clinical trials of the drug. Keep in mind that doctors prescribe Forteo for certain types of osteoporosis. Hormonal changes, such as a loss of estrogen or testosterone, often contribute to osteoporosis. The loss of these hormones can also cause other changes, such as hair loss. Talk with your doctor if you notice hair loss. They can determine the most likely cause and suggest ways to manage it.

You shouldn’t have weight gain or weight loss as a side effect of Forteo. People taking Forteo in clinical trials didn’t report either of these side effects. However, weight loss can be a symptom of a high calcium level. This is a rare, serious side effect of Forteo. You can read more about this side effect in the “Side effect specifics” section. If you notice changes in your weight during treatment with Forteo, talk with your doctor. They can determine the most likely cause of your weight changes and suggest ways to manage it.