Abaloparatide Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information

T IMPORTANT WARNING:
P Abaloparatide injection may cause osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in laboratory rats. It is not known whether abaloparatide injection increases the chance that humans will develop this cancer. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a bone disease such as Paget's disease, bone cancer or a cancer that has spread to the bone, radiation therapy of the bones, high levels of alkaline phosphatase (an enzyme in the blood), or if you are a child or young adult whose bones are still growing. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: pain in your bones, pain in any area of the body that does not go away, or new or unusual lumps or swelling under the skin that are tender to touch.
P Because of the risk of osteosarcoma with this medication, your doctor may tell you not to use abaloparatide injection or any related medications such as teriparatide injection (Forteo) for more than a total of 2 years during your lifetime.
P Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with abaloparatide injection and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) or the manufacturer's website to obtain the Medication Guide.
P Talk to your doctor about the risks of using abaloparatide injection.

T Why is this medication prescribed?
P Abaloparatide injection is used to treat osteoporosis (condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) in women who have undergone menopause ('change in life,' end of menstrual periods), who are at high risk of fractures (broken bones) or who could not be treated successfully with other medications. Abaloparatide injection contains a synthetic form of a natural human hormone called parathyroid hormone (PTH). It works by causing the body to build new bone and by increasing bone strength and density (thickness).

T How should this medicine be used?
P Abaloparatide injection comes as a liquid to inject subcutaneously (under the skin). It is usually given once a day. Use abaloparatide injection at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use abaloparatide injection exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
P You can inject abaloparatide injection yourself or have a friend or relative perform the injections. Before you use abaloparatide injection yourself the first time, carefully read the manufacturer's instructions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you or the person who will be injecting the medication how to inject it. Be sure to ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about how to inject this medication.
P Abaloparatide injection comes in a pen that contains enough medication for 30 doses. Do not transfer the medication to another syringe. Dispose of your pen 30 days after first opening even if it still contains unused medication.
P You should inject abaloparatide injection into the lower stomach area. Avoid giving your injection within the 2-inch area around your belly button. Talk to your doctor about how to change your injection site for each injection. Do not give abaloparatide injection into your veins or muscles. Do not inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, scaly, hard, or where you have scars or stretch marks.
P Always look at your abaloparatide injection before you inject it. It should be clear and colorless. Do not use abaloparatide injection if it has particles in it, or if it is cloudy or colored.
P Be sure you know what other supplies, such as needles, you will need to inject your medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what type of needles you will need to inject your medication. Never reuse needles and never share needles or pens. Always remove the needle right after you inject your dose. Throw away needles in a puncture-resistant container. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to dispose of the puncture-resistant container.
P You should know that abaloparatide injection may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position as well as a fast or pounding heartbeat and nausea. This usually occurs within 4 hours after receiving your dose and generally goes away within a few hours. You should receive your first several doses of abaloparatide injection where you can sit or lie down right away if necessary.
P Your doctor may recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements to take during your treatment.
P Abaloparatide injection controls osteoporosis but does not cure it. Continue to use abaloparatide injection even if you feel well. Do not stop using abaloparatide injection without talking to your doctor.

T Other uses for this medicine
P This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

T What special precautions should I follow?
t Before receiving abaloparatide injection,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to abaloparatide, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in abaloparatide injection. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any condition that causes you too have too much calcium in the blood, hyperparathyroidism (condition in which the body produces too much parathyroid hormone [natural substance needed to control the amount of calcium in the blood]), or kidney stones.
- you should know that abaloparatide injection should only be used by women once they have passed menopause and, therefore, cannot become pregnant or breastfeed. Abaloparatide injection should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

T What special dietary instructions should I follow?
P Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

T What should I do if I forget a dose?
P Use the missed dose as soon as you remember it that day. However, if the day has already passed, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Never inject more than one dose per day.

T What side effects can this medication cause?
t Abaloparatide injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- dizziness
- sense of spinning
- headache
- tiredness
- upper stomach pain
- redness, pain, or swelling in the area where the medication was injected
t Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
- signs of high blood calcium: nausea, vomiting, constipation, lack of energy, and muscle weakness
- pain in the lower back or lower stomach
- painful urination
- blood in the urine
P Abaloparatide injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
P If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

T What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
P Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Before the first use, store abaloparatide pens in the refrigerator, but do not freeze them. After the first use, store your abaloparatide pen for up to 30 days at room temperature. Discard the pen after 30 days at room temperature.
P It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
P Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

T In case of emergency/overdose
P In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
t Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
- nausea
- vomiting
- constipation
- dizziness
- headache
- lightheadedness and fainting on standing
- lack of energy
- muscle weakness

T What other information should I know?
P Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to abaloparatide injection.
P Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
P It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

T Brand names
- Tymlos®

