Calcitonin

Category: peptide

Aliases: Salmon calcitonin, Miacalcin, Fortical

Pharmacological Mechanism

32-residue peptide from thyroid C-cells. Activates calcitonin receptors on osteoclasts → inhibits bone resorption and lowers serum Ca²⁺. Salmon calcitonin is 40× more potent than human form and is the standard pharmaceutical. Modest osteoporosis benefit vs bisphosphonates; main clinical niche is acute hypercalcemia of malignancy (fast onset, short duration).

Half-Life (t½)

SC: 1.5h

Dosing Guidelines

Target Organ Systems