Teriparatide (Forteo): How This Osteoporosis Injection Works, Brand Info, and What to Expect

If you’ve been diagnosed with severe osteoporosis or have suffered multiple fractures, your doctor may recommend teriparatide—a unique osteoporosis treatment that doesn’t just slow bone loss but actually helps build new bone.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about teriparatide, including its mechanism of action, how it’s administered, common side effects, and how to track your progress with a DEXA scan.

What Is Teriparatide?

Teriparatide is a prescription medication used to treat osteoporosis in men and postmenopausal women at high risk of fracture. It’s especially helpful for people who haven’t responded to other therapies or who have experienced multiple bone breaks.

Teriparatide brand name:

The original brand name is Forteo®, approved by the FDA and widely used in the U.S. There are now also generic versions available.

Teriparatide Mechanism of Action: How It Works

Unlike most osteoporosis drugs that slow bone breakdown, teriparatide is an anabolic (bone-building) agent.

How does it work?

• Teriparatide is a synthetic form of human parathyroid hormone (PTH 1-34)
• When given once daily in low doses, it stimulates osteoblast activity (bone-building cells), leading to new bone formation

This makes teriparatide one of the few medications that can actively build new bone, not just preserve what’s left.

💉 Teriparatide Injection: What to Expect

• Administered as a daily subcutaneous injection, typically in the thigh or abdomen
• Comes in a pre-filled pen (similar to insulin) for easy at-home use
• Most patients use it for up to 2 years—the FDA-approved maximum duration

After treatment:

• Patients are usually transitioned to an antiresorptive medication (like alendronate or Prolia) to maintain new bone gains

Who Should Use Teriparatide?

Teriparatide may be right for you if:

• You’ve had multiple fractures
• Your DEXA scan shows very low bone mineral density (T-score ≤ -3.0)
• You have failed or can’t tolerate bisphosphonates
• You’re at very high fracture risk

Teriparatide is typically reserved for more severe cases due to its cost and time-limited use.

⚠️ Side Effects and Safety Info

Common side effects:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Leg cramps
• Mild injection site reactions

Rare risks:

• Slightly increased risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer) seen in animal studies
• Not recommended for people with:
  • Paget’s disease
  • Unexplained elevations in alkaline phosphatase
  • Bone metastases or a history of skeletal cancer

Your doctor will monitor calcium levels and overall bone health while on treatment.

📊 Track Your Progress with a DEXA Scan

To see how well teriparatide is working, a DEXA scan is essential before, during, and after treatment.

DEXA scans help track:

• Bone Mineral Density (BMD) improvements over time
• Fracture risk reduction
• Whether anabolic therapy is building new bone as intended

At KALOS, our DEXA Scan San Francisco service gives you the insights needed to adjust treatment and ensure long-term bone protection.

Book Your DEXA Scan in San Francisco at KALOS Today

If you’ve been prescribed teriparatide (Forteo) for osteoporosis, make sure you’re tracking its effects with the most accurate technology available. At KALOS, we’ll help you measure real improvements in bone density and fracture risk with fast, precise scans.

Schedule your scan today at KALOS—your journey to data-driven bone health starts now.

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