Hypercalcemia Treatment: Calcitonin Slows Bone Loss and Maintains Normal Calcium Levels In the Blood

Hypercalcemia is a disease in which you have an increased level of calcium in your blood. Symptoms associated with this condition are: nausea and vomiting, constipation and abdominal (belly) pain, the need to drink more fluids and urinate more, tiredness, weakness, or muscle pain, confusion, disorientation, and difficulty thinking, headaches, and depression. The incidence rate of hypercalcemia in the U.K is 30 per 100,000.

Hypercalcemia treatment for involves medications such as calcitonin (miacalcin), calcimimetics, bisphosphonates, denosumab, prednisone, IV fluids and diuretics. Intravenous bisphosphonates are the treatment of first choice for the initial management of hypercalcemia. Calcitonin is a man-made hormone, which is safe and relatively nontoxic. This hypercalcemia treatment slows bone loss and maintains normal calcium levels in the blood. Bisphosphonates include, Actonel or Altevia (risedronate), Fosamax (alendronate), Boniva (ibandronate), Reclast or Zometa (zoledronic acid). Bisphosphonates inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption and are effective in the treatment of hypercalcemia. They interfere with osteoclast-mediated bone resorption to inhibit calcium release. Repeated intravenous bisphosphonates are used to prevent relapse of the condition. Bisphosphonates are relatively nontoxic compounds and are more effective than calcitonin. Excess use of bisphosphonates can lead to the development of hypocalcemia, a condition in which the blood has too little calcium. Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption to reduce calcium efflux from bone into the circulation. Zoledronic acid is available in many countries for treatment of hypercalcemia of malignancy.

Hypercalcemia treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Mild hypercalcemia can be regulated with adequate hydration. Patients with moderate hypercalcemia are typically treated with saline hydration and bisphosphonates. Severe hypercalcemia requires more aggressive therapy. Administration of salmon calcitonin, zoledronic acid or pamidronate is advised by doctors for effective treatment. Follow-up therapy is recommended to prevent recurrence of hypercalcemia.