Back to Pharmacology Lesson preview
Pharmacology Agents Affecting Bone Mineral Homeostasis

Calcitonin and Parathyroid Hormone Analogs

Topic overview

Start with the big picture

Calcitonin is a peptide that reduces osteoclast activity and renal calcium and phosphate reabsorption. The lesson covers its sources, formulations, pharmacokinetics, clinical uses, adverse effects, and contraindications. It then compares three PTH-related agents: teriparatide, abaloparatide, and full-length recombinant PTH for chronic hypoparathyroidism. With intermittent dosing, PTH analogs promote osteoblastic bone formation and affect calcium handling. Their safety considerations include treatment duration, specified contraindications and interactions, and monitoring of laboratory measures and bone mineral density. A central distinction is that calcitonin is anti-resorptive, while pulsatile PTH signaling is anabolic; the agents therefore affect bone through different cellular targets despite both being associated with reduced fracture risk.

Learning objectives

What you'll learn

  • Explain how calcitonin affects osteoclast activity and renal calcium and phosphate handling.
  • Identify calcitonin formulations, clinical uses, adverse effects, and contraindications.
  • Distinguish the agents and mechanisms of teriparatide, abaloparatide, and recombinant PTH.
  • Describe key safety considerations, interactions, and monitoring for PTH analog therapy.
Ready for the complete lesson?

Continue your study

Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.

PharmaProLearn

Excel Beyond Limits