title: [Calcitonin].
abstract: Calcitonin is a polypeptide hormone that bone resorption-inhibitory and analgesic effects, and has been used over many decades as a drug for the treatment of osteoporosis in Japan and overseas. Reports of large-scale studies of this hormone therefore as yet are few, compared to recently introduced drugs. Calcitonin is prescribed in injectable form in Japan while nasal spray preparations are widely used in Europe and the Unites States. Its characteristic effect of analgesia is slow in onset as compared with anti-inflammatory analgesic agents. A mechanism of action involving its serotonin receptor expression-mediated effect on pain impulse transmission has been demonstrated. On account of this effect, calcitonin is recommended for use in the management of pain in patients with fresh vertebral fractures.
authors.affiliation: Tamana Central Hospital.
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000188:drug therapy; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D002116:Calcitonin