Forteo is a manufactured version of parathyroid hormone (PTH), a naturally occurring hormone that regulates calcium and phosphate in the body. PTH can have beneficial or harmful effects on bone, depending on the pattern of exposure. Having high PTH all the time (known medically as hyperparathyroidism) can lead to bone loss. However, when PTH is given once a day (such as with Forteo), it seems to have the opposite effect, helping to build new bone.
Forteo is not approved for use in children. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using the drug in children. The medication seems to increase the risk of
bone cancer in rats, and it is thought that children may be at higher risk for developing bone cancer due to Forteo, since their bones are still growing.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Forteo for something other than the uses discussed in this article.
Off-label Forteo uses include treatment for the following conditions:
- Low levels of parathyroid hormone (hypoparathyroidism)
- Osteoporosis due to the use of steroids, such as prednisone
- Osteoporosis in premenopausal women.
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