INTRODUCTION

UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION contains Calcitonin which belongs to the group of medicines called Calcium Metabolism Modifiers. It is used to treat Paget’s disease (abnormal bone growth) and postmenopausal osteoporosis (weak or brittle bones caused during menopause) when other treatments are not appropriate.

It can also be used to prevent bone loss in patients who remain bed-ridden or immobile due to fractures and can reduce blood calcium levels in patients with hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels) caused due to cancer.

Prior to the treatment, doctor will perform a skin test to determine whether you are allergic to Calcitonin or not. Before receiving UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION inform your doctor if you have any liver, kidney or heart problems. You must also inform your doctor if you have any type of cancer as a precaution.

UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION is not recommended for use in patients with hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels). It is also not suitable for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women and in children aged below 18 years.

The most common side effects of receiving UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, tiredness, pain in bones and joints, redness of face or neck, dizziness, headache and changes in taste. Consult your doctor if any of these side effect worsens.

USES OF UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION

It is used to:

• Treat Paget’s disease
• Treat hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels) caused due to cancer
• Treat osteoporosis among postmenopausal women
• Prevent bone loss in patients who remain bed-ridden or immobile due to any fractures

HOW UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION WORKS

UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION stops the action of certain bone cells (such as osteoclasts) that destroys the bone mass. This action prevents bone loss and helps in building bone mass and density. It also stabilizes the replacement of new bone tissue growth and prevents abnormal bone growth. Additionally, it can reduce blood calcium levels by excreting calcium from the body in the form of urine.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse into the vein (intravenously), muscle (intramuscularly) or under the skin (subcutaneously).

UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION can also be self-administered by the patients, if instructed by the doctor. Carefully follow the instructions given by the doctor in case of self-administration.

Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and health condition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea and Vomiting

Taking UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION during the evenings may reduce this side effect. However, stick to simple meals and avoid eating oil rich or spicy foods. Consult your doctor if your nausea worsens.

Diarrhea:

Hydrate yourself by drinking plenty of fluids, such as water or fruit juices. Consuming ORS can also be beneficial. Do not self-treat diarrhea on your own. Consult your doctor if your diarrhea becomes uncontrollable.

Dizziness:

Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Lie down or sit immediately if you feel dizzy. Avoid driving or operating any heavy tools or machines while you are feeling dizzy. Do not consume too much of alcohol, as it could aggravate your dizziness. Consult your doctor if you continue to feel dizzy for a prolonged period.

Headache:

Rest and relax. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes and apply a pain-relieving balm on the head if necessary. Do not consume alcohol. Contact your doctor if the symptom did not improve.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug - Drug interactions:

Before receiving UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:

• medicines used to treat heart problems (Ex. digoxin, amlodipine, diltiazem)
• medicines used to treat depression and mania (Ex. lithium)
• medicines used to treat osteoporosis (Ex. bisphosphonates like Alendronate, Zoledronic acid)

Overdosage:

If UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION is administered to you by a doctor or a nurse in a hospital, it is unlikely to receive an overdose. However, if you overdosed UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION during self-administration, consult your doctor or nurse or go to the nearest hospital straight away.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION out of the sight and reach of children.
• Store UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION in a refrigerator between 2 to 8°C

FAQs ABOUT UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION

Who should not take UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION?

UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION is not recommended for use in patients with hypocalcaemia (low blood calcium levels). It is also not suitable for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women and in children aged below 18 years.

What is the use of UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION?

UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION is used to treat Paget’s disease and postmenopausal osteoporosis when other treatments are not appropriate. It can also be used to prevent bone loss in patients who remain bed-ridden or immobile due to fractures and can reduce blood calcium levels in patients with hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels) caused due to cancer.

How UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION is administered?

UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse into the vein (intravenously), muscle (intramuscularly) or under the skin (subcutaneously). It can also be self-administered by the patients, if instructed by the doctor. Carefully follow the instructions given by the doctor in case of self-administration.

What are the side effects of UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION?

The most common side effects of receiving UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, tiredness, pain in bones and joints, redness of face or neck, dizziness, headache and changes in taste. Consult your doctor if any of these side effect worsens.

Can elderly patients take UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION?

Yes, elderly patients can receive UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION after consulting their doctor.

Can UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION cure osteoporosis?

Yes. UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION helps in preventing osteoporosis and helps in gaining back the lost bone mass. However, consult your doctor for advice.

How UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION works?

UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION stops the action of certain bone cells (such as osteoclasts) that destroys the bone mass. This action prevents bone loss and helps in building bone mass and density. It also stabilizes the replacement of new bone tissue growth and prevents abnormal bone growth. Additionally, it can reduce blood calcium levels by excreting calcium from the body in the form of urine.

Can I stop therapy with UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION once my symptoms subside?

No. Do not stop receiving UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION without consulting your doctor once your symptoms subside, as it may reverse the healed condition. Continue to receive UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION as long as instructed by your doctor.

Can UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION cause cancer?

Yes. UNICALCIN 100IU INJECTION might cause cancer when used in long-term. Therefore, contact your doctor for advice before receiving it.

REFERENCES

1. KD. Tripathi. Drugs affecting Calcium Balance. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology. 7th Edition. 2013. Page – 340.

2. Tingting Huang, Yang Xu, Yajie Chen, Jing Bian, Zhaohu Chu, Shoucai Zhao and Lingsong Ma. Efficacy and safety of calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonists in migraine treatment: A meta-analysis. NIH. National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMC. PubMed Central. March 2022. [Accessed on 26th November 2022]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9015008/

3. Famar Health Care Services. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in December 2016] [Accessed on 26th November 2022]. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.12867.pdf

4. Novartis Pharmaceuticals. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. [Revised in March 2014] [Accessed on 26th November 2022]. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/017808s035lbl.pdf

5. Viatris. Calcitonin. [Accessed on 26th November 2022]. https://www.miacalcin.com/

USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Blood Calcium Levels