How Should You Use CALCITONIN (Injection) (Injectable)

Injectable

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use and how often.
• If you have any questions about how much to give or how to give a shot, call your caregiver.
• This medicine is given in a shot in one of your muscles (upper arm, thigh, buttocks).
• A doctor, nurse, or pharmacist should teach you how to give yourself calcitonin shots. You will use a syringe with a needle on the end of it to inject the calcitonin into your skin.
• Follow the directions that come with the package on how to mix the medicine. Once you have mixed the medicine, it is good for six hours. Throw away any medicine that is not used after that time.
• You should not use the medicine if it looks grainy, lumpy, or discolored, or if you see specks floating in the liquid.
• Always wipe the top of the calcitonin bottle with an alcohol pad before each use. Shake the bottle gently before using.
• Stick the needle into the rubber stopper at the top of the bottle. With the needle still stuck in the bottle, turn the bottle upside down and hold it at eye level.
• Pull the plunger until it lines up with the number of your dose on the side of the syringe.
• Look for air bubbles inside the syringe. Gently tap the syringe with your finger to make any air bubbles float to the top of the syringe, just under the needle.
• Push the plunger just enough so that the air bubbles go up into the medicine bottle, and pull enough medicine back down into the syringe to make the correct dose.
If a dose is missed:
• Take the missed shot as soon as possible.
• Skip the missed shot if it is almost time for your next one.
• You should not use two doses at the same time.