Teriparatide: what the research shows
A bone-building peptide that cuts the risk of spine fractures in osteoporosis.
Also known as Forteo, Forsteo
At a glance
65%
fewer new spine fractures
Trial of 1,637 women · 5% vs 14% on placebo
Approved for osteoporosis in people at high risk of fractures.
What is Teriparatide?
Teriparatide is the active first part (34 amino acids) of parathyroid hormone, which controls calcium and how bone is renewed.
How does Teriparatide work?
Given as a small daily injection, it switches on bone-building cells more than bone-removing cells, so bones become denser and stronger.
What does the research show?
- In a trial of 1,637 women with osteoporosis who had already had a spine fracture, new spine fractures fell from 14% on placebo to 5% on the 20 µg dose: about 65% fewer.
- Bone density in the spine rose by 9 percentage points more than on placebo.
Known risks and side effects
- Dizziness, leg cramps and nausea are reported, and it can raise calcium levels.
- High doses caused bone tumors in rats; this has not been clearly seen in people.
Is Teriparatide approved?
A medicines regulator, such as the FDA in the US or the EMA in Europe, has approved it for specific uses.
Approved for osteoporosis in people at high risk of fractures.
From the community
Watch: Teriparatide and related science
Start with the compound discussion, then use the background lesson to understand its biology. Each card explains its connection. Recordings may predate later findings or regulatory changes.
Royal Osteoporosis Society
Teriparatide: patient questions and nurse education
A patient and nurse discuss prescribed teriparatide. The information concerns licensed medicines, not laboratory research materials.
Osteoporosis charity · Bone Matters series
Discusses the compound
Education about prescribed teriparatide from a patient and nurse. It concerns licensed osteoporosis medicines.
khanacademymedicine
The hypothalamus and pituitary gland
How the hypothalamus and pituitary coordinate hormone release, including growth and reproductive hormones.
Khan Academy · endocrine physiology
Related biology
Background on hypothalamus and pituitary signalling for understanding Teriparatide. It does not demonstrate benefits of this compound or formulation.
National Institute of Mental Health
What is clinical research?
Why studies in people are needed and what clinical research is designed to establish.
NIMH · US National Institutes of Health
Research skills
Helps you judge the study design or uncertainty in Teriparatide research; it is not a trial of the compound.
Sources and references
- Effect of parathyroid hormone (1-34) on fractures and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteoporosisNeer et al. · New England Journal of Medicine · 2001
VETUD Learn explains published research in plain language. It is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or changing any treatment.
In the research shop
Check the catalog for related laboratory research materials. These products are separate from the approved medicines and clinical trial formulations discussed here.
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