Frequently Asked Questions

Teriparatide Injection is a prescription medicine used to:

• treat postmenopausal women who have osteoporosis who are at high risk for having broken bones (fractures) or who cannot use other osteoporosis treatments. Teriparatide Injection can lessen the chance of broken bones (fractures) in the spine and other bones in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
• increase the bone mass in men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis who are at high risk for having broken bones (fractures) or who cannot use other osteoporosis treatments.
• treat both men and women with osteoporosis due to use of glucocorticoid medicines, such as prednisone, for several months, who are at high risk for having broken bones (fractures) or who cannot use other osteoporosis treatments.

It is not known if Teriparatide Injection is safe and effective in children. Teriparatide Injection should not be used in children and young adults whose bones are still growing.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bones become weak and brittle, increasing the chance of having a fracture or broken bone. There are typically no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, but once your bones have weakened significantly, you may have the following symptoms:

• Back pain
• Loss of height over time
• A stooped posture
• Bones that break more easily than expected

The most common fractures are in bones of the hip, vertebrae in the spine, and wrist—although fractures may occur in any bone.

Yes, Teva's Teriparatide injection has the same active ingredient as Forteo® and works in the body the same way as Forteo®. Generic medicines use the same active ingredients as brand-name medicines and work the same way, so they have similar risks and benefits as the brand-name medicines.

During drug testing, the medicine in Teriparatide Injection caused some rats to develop bone cancer (osteosarcoma). Studies in people have not shown that Teriparatide Injection increases your chance of getting osteosarcoma. There is little information about the chance of getting osteosarcoma in patients using Teriparatide Injection beyond 2 years. You should not take Teriparatide Injection for more than 2 years over your lifetime unless your healthcare provider finds that you need longer treatment because you have a high chance of breaking your bones.

For information on how to use Teva’s Teriparatide Injection, visit the How to Use section of this website, where you can watch a helpful video to learn how to prepare and administer Teva's Teriparatide Injection, or refer to the User Manual.

Do not use Teriparatide Injection if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Teriparatide Injection. See the end of the Medication Guide for a complete list of the ingredients in Teriparatide Injection.

Before you use Teriparatide Injection, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have a certain bone disease called Paget’s disease or other bone disease.
• have bone cancer or have had a history of bone cancer.
• are a young adult whose bones are still growing.
• have had radiation therapy.
• are affected with a condition that runs in your family that can increase your chance of getting cancer in your bones.
• have or have had too much calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia).
• have or have had a skin condition with painful sores or wounds caused by too much calcium.
• have or have had kidney stones.
• take medicines that contain digoxin.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Teriparatide Injection will harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Teriparatide passes into your breastmilk. You should not breastfeed while taking Teriparatide Injection.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Teriparatide Injection can cause serious side effects including:

• See “What is the most important information I should know about Teriparatide Injection?” in the Medication Guide 
• Bone cancer (osteosarcoma)
• Increased calcium in your blood
• Worsening of your kidney stones
• Decrease in blood pressure when you change positions
• Common side effects of Teriparatide Injection include pain, nausea, and joint aches

These are not all the possible side effects of Teriparatide Injection. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. You may report side effects to FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Store Teriparatide Injection, USP under refrigeration at 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F) at all times except when administering the product.
• Recap the delivery device (pen) when not in use to protect the cartridge from physical damage and light.
• When using Teriparatide Injection, USP, minimize the time out of the refrigerator; deliver the dose immediately following removal from the refrigerator.
• Do not freeze. Do not use Teriparatide Injection, USP if it has been frozen.
• Throw away the device 28 days after first use.

Keep Teriparatide Injection and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you need additional to keep at work, school or other locations. Your prescription should include the number you need. If you are using insurance, the insurance provider may have a maximum number of units they will cover per prescription. Contact your insurance provider for details about your plan.