Uses of Abaloparatide Injection
Abaloparatide injection is used to treat osteoporosis in women who have gone through menopause, who are at a high risk of bone fractures, or who could not be treated successfully with other medications. The abaloparatide injection contains a synthetically made molecule that performs similarly to parathyroid hormone (PTH). This medication causes the body to start building new bone cells and increases bone density to rebuild brittle bones.
Side Effects of Abaloparatide Injection
- dizziness
- feeling a spinning sensation
- headaches
- upper stomach pain
- tiredness
- redness, pain, or swelling in the area where the medication was injected
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms call your doctor immediately:
- signs of high blood calcium: nausea, vomiting, constipation, lack of energy, and muscle weakness
- pain in the lower back or lower stomach
- painful urination
- blood in the urine
Abaloparatide injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before receiving abaloparatide injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to abaloparatide, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in abaloparatide injection. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any condition that causes you to have too much calcium in the blood, hyperparathyroidism (a condition in which the body produces too much parathyroid hormone [natural substance needed to control the amount of calcium in the blood]), or kidney stones.
- you should know that abaloparatide injection should only be used by women once they have passed menopause and, therefore, cannot become pregnant or breastfeed. This injection should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Dosage
Abaloparatide injection comes as a liquid to inject subcutaneously (under the skin). It is usually given once a day. Use abaloparatide injection at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use abaloparatide injection exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
You can inject this injection yourself or have a friend or relative perform the injections. Before you use abaloparatide injection yourself the first time, carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you or the person who will be injecting the medication how to inject it. Be sure to ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about how to inject this medication.
Abaloparatide injection comes in a pen that contains enough medication for 30 doses. Do not transfer the medication to another syringe. Dispose of your pen 30 days after first opening even if it still contains unused medication.
You should inject the injection into the lower stomach area. Avoid giving your injection within the 2-inch area around your belly button. Talk to your doctor about how to change your injection site for each injection. Do not give abaloparatide injection into your veins or muscles. Do not inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, scaly, hard, or where you have scars or stretch marks.
Always look at your the injection before you inject it. It should be clear and colorless. Do not use abaloparatide injection if it has particles in it, or if it is cloudy or colored.
Be sure you know what other supplies, such as needles, you will need to inject your medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what type of needles you will need to inject your medication. Never reuse needles and never share needles or pens. Always remove the needle right after you inject your dose. Throw away needles in a puncture-resistant container. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to dispose of the puncture-resistant container.
You should know that abaloparatide injection may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position as well as a fast or pounding heartbeat and nausea. This usually occurs within 4 hours after receiving your dose and generally goes away within a few hours. You should receive your first several doses of this injection where you can sit or lie down right away if necessary.
Your doctor may recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements to take during your treatment.
Abaloparatide injection controls osteoporosis but does not cure it. Continue to use abaloparatide injection even if you feel well. Do not stop using abaloparatide injection without talking to your doctor.
Other
Consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.