articles forteo support groups

What is the most important information I should know about Forteo?
• As a part of drug testing, Forteo was given to rats articles forteo support groups. Some of these ratsdeveloped osteosarcoma, a bone cancer articles forteo support groups. Osteosarcoma in humans is a serious butvery rare cancer articles forteo support groups. It is not known if humans treated with Forteo also have ahigher chance of getting osteosarcoma articles forteo support groups. Discuss with your doctor the risks andbenefits associated with use of Forteo articles forteo support groups.
• Forteo may cause dizziness or fast heartbeats after an injection articles forteo support groups. Injectthe medication in a location where you can sit or lie down following the injectionshould dizziness or fast heartbeats occur articles forteo support groups.

What is Forteo?
• Forteo is a man-made form of the naturally occurring hormone parathyroid articles forteo support groups. Forteo forms new bone, increases bone mineral density and bone strength, andas a result, reduces the chance of getting a broken bone articles forteo support groups.
• Forteo is used for men and women with osteoporosis who are at high riskfor bone fractures articles forteo support groups.
• Forteo may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide articles forteo support groups.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Forteo?
• Do not use Forteo without first talking to your doctor if you
· have Paget's disease of the bone;
· have unexplained high levels of alkaline phosphatase in the blood,which may indicate Paget's disease;
· are a child or young adult;
· have ever been diagnosed with bone cancer or other cancers that havespread (metastasized) to the bones;
· have had radiation therapy involving the bone;
· have a bone disease other than osteoporosis; or
· have a high level of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia) articles forteo support groups.
• You may not be able to take Forteo, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above articles forteo support groups.
• Forteo is in the FDA pregnancy category C articles forteo support groups. This means that it is notknown whether Forteo will be harmful to an unborn baby articles forteo support groups. Do not use Forteo withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant duringtreatment articles forteo support groups.
• It is not known whether Forteo passes into breast milk articles forteo support groups. Do not use Forteowithout first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby articles forteo support groups.

How should I use Forteo?
• Use Forteo exactly as directed by your doctor articles forteo support groups. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you articles forteo support groups.
• Forteo is administered by injection using a prefilled delivery device articles forteo support groups. Your doctor or other healthcare provider will give you detailed instructionson how to inject the medication articles forteo support groups.
• Forteo is usually injected once a day into the thigh or abdomen (lowerstomach area) articles forteo support groups. Follow your doctor's instructions articles forteo support groups.
• Forteo can be injected at any time of the day articles forteo support groups. It may be easier to rememberto use Forteo if it is used at about the same time each day articles forteo support groups.
• It is important to use Forteo regularly to get the most benefit articles forteo support groups.
• Forteo may cause dizziness or fast heartbeats after an injection articles forteo support groups. Injectthe medication in a location where you can sit or lie down following the injectionshould dizziness or fast heartbeats occur articles forteo support groups.
• Use Forteo shortly after you take the pen out of the refrigerator articles forteo support groups. Recapthe pen and put it back into the refrigerator right after use articles forteo support groups.
• The same pen can be used for up to 28 days after the first injectionfrom the pen articles forteo support groups. Throw away the pen after 28 days of use, even if it is not completelyempty articles forteo support groups.
• Do not Forteo that is discolored or cloudy or that has particles in it articles forteo support groups. It should be clear and colorless articles forteo support groups. Do not use Forteo after the expiration dateprinted on the pen or pen packaging articles forteo support groups.
• Dispose of all needles and syringes in an appropriate, puncture-resistantdisposal container articles forteo support groups.
• Your doctor may want to perform blood or urine tests during treatmentto determine your response to Forteo articles forteo support groups.
• Store Forteo pens in the refrigerator at 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit(2 to 8 degrees Celsius) articles forteo support groups. Do not freeze the medication articles forteo support groups. Do not use any medicationthat has been frozen articles forteo support groups.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Use the missed dose as soon as you remember within the same day articles forteo support groups. If youdo not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and only use the dosefor that day articles forteo support groups. Do not use a double dose articles forteo support groups.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek medical attention articles forteo support groups.
• Symptoms of a Forteo overdose may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness,and headache articles forteo support groups.

What should I avoid while using Forteo?
• There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity during treatmentwith Forteo unless otherwise directed by your doctor articles forteo support groups.

What are the possible side effects of Forteo?
• Stop using the medication and seek emergency medical attention if youexperience a rare allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives) to Forteo articles forteo support groups.
• As a part of drug testing, Forteo was given to rats articles forteo support groups. Some of these ratsdeveloped osteosarcoma, a bone cancer articles forteo support groups. Osteosarcoma in humans is a serious butvery rare cancer articles forteo support groups. It is not known if humans treated with Forteo also have ahigher chance of getting osteosarcoma articles forteo support groups. Discuss with your doctor the risks andbenefits associated with use of Forteo articles forteo support groups.
• Most side effects from Forteo are mild and include dizziness and legcramps articles forteo support groups. If you become lightheaded or have fast heartbeats after an injection,sit or lie down until you feel better articles forteo support groups. If you do not feel better, call yourhealthcare provider before continuing treatment articles forteo support groups.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you have continuing nausea, vomiting,constipation, low energy, or muscle weakness articles forteo support groups. These may be signs there is toomuch calcium in your blood articles forteo support groups.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur articles forteo support groups. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome articles forteo support groups.

What other drugs will affect Forteo?
• Before using Forteo, tell your doctor if you are taking digoxin (Lanoxin,Lanoxicaps, Digitek) articles forteo support groups. You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoringduring treatment articles forteo support groups.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Forteo articles forteo support groups. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products articles forteo support groups.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Forteo written for healthprofessionals that you may read articles forteo support groups.

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