Rhinitis calcitonin

In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial 22% of 1255 postmenopausal women taking calcitonin compared with 15% of women taking placebo had rhinitis (nasal congestion, discharge, or sneezing) (12). Almost all cases were of mild to moderate severity. 

Intranasal calcitonin is associated with fewer adverse effects than parenteral formulations, probably because of low systemic availability. However, a meta-analysis has confirmed that adverse events are poorly reported in clinical trials (21). The pooled relative risk for rhinitis from four trials (n = 1663) was 1.72, but this did not reach statistical significance. 

The adverse effects of parenteral and intranasal calcitonin have been compared (22). Parenteral salmon calcitonin is commonly associated with flushing of the face, ears, hands, and feet within minutes of the injection. Nausea and vomiting can occur within 30 minutes. The flushing needs to be distinguished from the less common but serious and potentially fatal hypersensitivity reactions that have been reported. The nausea, which is mild, usually abates with continued therapy. Intranasal calcitonin is better tolerated rhinitis of mild or moderate severity is the most frequent adverse effect. 

Calcitonin (Miacalcin) 200 units daily, intranasally (alternating nares every other day) 3% nasal availability renal elimination Rhinitis, epistaxis None... 

Reviews A review of antiresorptive therapies for osteoporosis identified the following as the most commonly reported adverse effects of calcitonin therapy irritation of the nasal passage nasal mucosal erythema and minor bleeding sneezing rhinitis and nausea [3 ]. Across studies these side effects generally occurred in less than 10% of patients receiving calcitonin treatment. 

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