general
- Generic Name : Abaloparatide
- Pronunciation : a-BAL-oh-PAR-a-tide
- Therapeutic Classification : Bone Enhancers
- Brand Name: Tymlos
prescription
- Abaloparatide is prescribed for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at a heightened risk for fractures. This medication, a parathyroid hormone-related protein, is recommended when other drugs have proven ineffective in treating osteoporosis.
risk factors
- Allergy to abaloparatide
- Bone-related diseases such as Paget’s disease
- Elevated levels of calcium or alkaline phosphatase in the blood
- Bone cancer (osteosarcoma) or individuals at an increased risk of developing this cancer
- Hyperactivity of parathyroid glands
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers, as well as premenopausal women
- Presence of high urinary calcium levels or kidney stones composed of calcium.
side effects
Adverse effects may include:
- Gastrointestinal: Nausea, upper abdominal pain, constipation, upset stomach.
- Cardiovascular: Orthostatic hypotension (abrupt blood pressure drop upon standing), increased heart rate, palpitations.
- Central Nervous System: Headache, dizziness, vertigo.
- Genitourinary: Formation of kidney stones, loss of calcium in urine, blood in urine, painful urination.
- Skin: Pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site.
- Other: Immune-related allergic reactions, elevated blood calcium levels, fatigue, bone pain, increased uric acid.
dosage
- 80 mcg to be given subcutaneously once a day
how to take
- Abaloparatide injection is available as a solution in a prefilled pen, intended for subcutaneous administration just beneath the skin directly into the periumbilical region (the area around the bellybutton) of the abdomen, positioned approximately 2 inches away from the bellybutton.
- It is essential to rotate the injection site daily while consistently administering the injection at the same time each day. The prefilled pen contains 30 doses, with each daily dose providing 80 mcg of abaloparatide in a 40 mcL sterile solution. The pen should be discarded after 30 days, regardless of any remaining unused medication.
- It is crucial to note that the injection should not be administered via intravenous (into the vein) or intramuscular routes.
warning
- To maintain optimal bone health, it is advisable to refrain from excessive alcohol intake and heavy smoking, as these habits can lead to a reduction in bone mineral density, increasing the risk of fractures.
- The prolonged use of abaloparatide and other parathyroid hormone analogs, such as teriparatide, for over two years is not recommended due to the potential risk of developing osteosarcoma.
- Patients should be provided with calcium and Vitamin D supplements if their dietary intake is found to be insufficient.
- For the initial doses of abaloparatide injection, it is essential to administer them in a setting where the patient can sit or lie down, especially considering the possibility of orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure in the standing position).
- Regular monitoring of blood or urinary calcium levels is necessary to detect conditions like hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, or urolithiasis, which may occur in patients undergoing abaloparatide therapy.
storage
An unopened abaloparatide injection pen should be stored in the refrigerator, maintaining a temperature range between 2°C to 8°C. It is important to note that the pen should not be stored in a freezer.