Reactions 1404 - 2 Jun 2012

STeriparatide

Severe hypercalcaemia in an elderly patient: casereport

A 74-year-old woman developed hypercalcaemia duringtreatment with teriparatide for osteoporosis.

The woman had a 14-year history of osteoporosis,previously treated with alendronic acid (1996–2002) andstrontium ranelate (2002–2010). On 26 April 2010, shebegan treatment with SC teriparatide 20 µg/day followingcessation of strontium ranelate therapy. On 3 December,after approximately 7 months of teriparatide therapy, shepresented with constipation, heartburn, nausea andbloating and teriparatide was discontinued. On9 December, the patient was readmitted due to persistentnausea, constipation and dizziness. Investigations resultedin a diagnosis of severe hypercalcaemia, pancytopenia andacute renal failure. Teriparatide was deemed responsiblefor the onset and persistence of hypercalcaemia.Laboratory tests revealed that calcium levels were elevatedabove normal levels on both the first and secondadmissions as well as on repeat testing on 12 December.

Treatment with 0.9% isotonic saline and furosemide wasinitiated. On 14 December, upon recovery andimprovement of symptoms, the woman was discharged. Atfollow-up, on 21 December, no further symptoms ofhypercalcaemia were evident.Karatoprak C, et al. Severe hypercalcemia due to teriparatide. Indian Journal ofPharmacology 44: 270-271, No. 2, Mar-Apr 2012. Available from: URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0253-7613.93869 - Turkey 803071139

1

Reactions 2 Jun 2012 No. 14040114-9954/10/1404-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved