Molecular Formula: C145H240N44O48S2
Molecular weight: 3431.9 g/mol
CAS No: 9007-12-9
Drug Class: peptide hormone
ATC Code: H05BA01
General Properties:
Calcitonin is a 32-membered heterodetic cyclic peptide comprising the sequence Cys-Ser-Asn-Leu-Ser-Thr-Cys-Val-Leu-Gly-Lys-Leu-Ser-Gln-Glu-Leu-His-Lys-Leu-Gln-Thr-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Thr-Asn-Thr-Gly-Ser-Gly-Thr-Pro-NH2 cyclised by a disulfide bridge between the two Cys residues at positions 1 and 7. It has a role as a metabolite and a bone density conservation agent. It is a heterodetic cyclic peptide, a polypeptide and a peptide hormone.
Synthetic peptide, 32 residues long formulated as a nasal spray.
Indication:
This medication is used to treat certain bone problems (such as Paget’s disease, postmenopausal osteoporosis) and to reduce high blood levels of calcium. Calcitonin is a man-made hormone that works by slowing bone loss and maintaining normal calcium levels in the blood. Used in the treatment of symptomatic Paget’s disease for patients unresponsive to alternate treatments or intolerant to such treatments. In addition, it is used in emergency situations when serum calcium levels must be decreased quickly until the underlying condition is identified. It can also be added to existing therapeutic regimens for hypercalcemia such as intravenous fluids and furosemide, oral phosphate or corticosteroids, or other agents. Calcitonin can be used in patients with azotemia and cases where intravenous fluids would be contraindicated due to limited cardiac reserves. Also for the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis in women more than 5 years post-menopause.