title: Why use calcitonin? New indication: no proven utility in the treatment of osteoporosis.
abstract: Four placebo-controlled clinical trials on calcitonin show a statistically significant difference in favour of the analgesic effect of calcitonin in patients suffering from recent osteoporotic compression of the vertebrae.  However, the clinical value of the difference has been poorly established.  Calcitonin frequently causes side effects, and the current state of assessment has not established whether the risk-benefit ratio is better than that of non-specific analgesics.  Finally, calcitonin treatment is more costly than using non-specific analgesics.
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D011431:Dextropropoxyphene / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D009288:Naproxen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010919:Placebos; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014664:Vasodilation; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010919:Placebos; D009288:Naproxen; D002116:Calcitonin; D011431:Dextropropoxyphene