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Teriparatide Pen — prescription drug image

Teriparatide

Teriparatide 2.24ML of 560MCG/2.24ML

What is Teriparatide?

Teriparatide is a recombinant form of parathyroid hormone used as an anabolic (bone-building) agent to treat osteoporosis in patients at high risk for fractures. It works by stimulating osteoblast activity, thereby increasing bone mineral density and strength.

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What is Teriparatide ?

Teriparatide is a recombinant form of parathyroid hormone used as an anabolic (bone-building) agent to treat osteoporosis in patients at high risk for fractures. It works by stimulating osteoblast activity, thereby increasing bone mineral density and strength.
  • Joint or muscle pain
  • Fast, pounding, uneven heartbeat
  • Dizziness, faintness, lightheadedness
  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness
  • Trouble sleeping.
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness.
  • This medicine may increase your risk of having a bone cancer.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you have kidney disease (including kidney stones), parathyroid disease, other bone disease (including Paget's disease of the bone), open epiphyses (bones are still growing), or a history of bone cancer. Tell your doctor if you had a bone radiation treatment.
  • Do not breastfeed during treatment with this medicine.
  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
  • Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
What is teriparatide (Forteo) used for?
Teriparatide is FDA-approved to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high risk of fracture, to increase bone mass in men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis at high fracture risk, and to treat glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women at high fracture risk. It's generally used in patients who haven't done well on, or can't tolerate, other osteoporosis medications, or who have very high fracture risk.
How long can you take teriparatide/Forteo — is there still a 2-year limit?
There is no longer an FDA-mandated 2-year lifetime limit. That cap was tied to a boxed warning about osteosarcoma risk that the FDA removed in November 2020 after long-term human safety data didn't show an increased risk. That said, 2 years remains the typical treatment duration studied in clinical trials and commonly used in prescribing, so ask your provider how long they recommend for your situation.
Does teriparatide cause cancer (osteosarcoma warning)?
Teriparatide's label no longer carries a boxed warning for osteosarcoma. The original warning came from a rat study using high, prolonged doses. An 18-year post-marketing epidemiologic study in humans did not find an increased osteosarcoma risk, which is why the FDA removed the boxed warning and the related 2-year use restriction in 2020. The current label still lists osteosarcoma as a rare post-marketing report, and the drug isn't recommended for patients with certain bone conditions, like Paget's disease or prior skeletal radiation, that could raise baseline risk.
Is there a generic version of Forteo, and how much does it cost?
Yes, generic teriparatide is available (made by manufacturers including Teva and Apotex). Cash prices vary by pharmacy, so the best way to know what you'd actually pay is to compare pharmacies directly — enter your ZIP code above to see current pricing near you.
How is teriparatide injected and where on the body?
Teriparatide is given as a self-administered subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection once daily, using a prefilled pen device. Patients receive training from their provider or pharmacist on proper injection technique and site before starting treatment at home.
How much does Teriparatide cost without insurance?
The price of Teriparatide without insurance varies by pharmacy, dosage, and quantity. Rx.com compares cash prices at more than 60,000 US pharmacies so you can find the lowest price near you. Many people save up to 60% off retail prices with a free Rx.com coupon.
What are the common side effects of Teriparatide?
Common side effects of Teriparatide may include: Joint or muscle pain, Fast, pounding, uneven heartbeat, Dizziness, faintness, lightheadedness, Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing, Unusual tiredness or weakness. This is not a complete list — consult your pharmacist or doctor for full side effect information.
Is there a generic version of Teriparatide?
Generic versions may be available for Teriparatide. Generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs and are typically 80–90% cheaper. Search Teriparatide on Rx.com to compare generic and brand prices at pharmacies near you.
What is the cheapest pharmacy for Teriparatide?
The cheapest pharmacy for Teriparatide depends on your location and dosage. Rx.com compares prices at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and thousands of independent pharmacies. Enter your ZIP code on Rx.com to find the lowest price for Teriparatide near you.

Teriparatide Coupons & Prices

Teriparatide 2.24ML of 560MCG/2.24ML

Teriparatide Pen — prescription drug image
Prescription
Teriparatide 2.24ml of 560mcg/2.24ml (1)
your area ·

Looking for a teriparatide coupon? Teriparatide is the generic form of Forteo, a self-injected osteoporosis medication, and pharmacy cash prices for it vary widely from one pharmacy to the next — Rx.com compares pricing across 60,000+ U.S. pharmacies so you can see where it costs less before you fill; enter your ZIP above to see today's price near you.

What Is Teriparatide and How Does It Work?

Teriparatide is a recombinant form of human parathyroid hormone, PTH(1-34) — it's the generic version of the brand-name drug Forteo. Unlike bisphosphonates such as alendronate or risedronate, which slow bone breakdown, teriparatide is an anabolic (bone-forming) agent that stimulates new bone growth. It's given as a once-daily self-injection under the skin using a prefilled pen, and patients are trained on proper injection technique before starting.

Teriparatide is FDA-approved to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high risk of fracture, to increase bone mass in men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis at high fracture risk, and to treat glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women at high fracture risk. It's generally reserved for patients who haven't responded to, or can't tolerate, other osteoporosis therapies, or who have very high fracture risk or severe disease — not typically a first-line option.

Teriparatide Coupon: Comparing Cash Prices

Teriparatide is available as a generic, but that doesn't mean the price is the same everywhere — cash prices for self-injected specialty medications like this one can vary significantly by pharmacy, and not every pharmacy stocks or prices it the same way. That's why comparing matters even for a generic: enter your ZIP code above to see how pharmacies near you price teriparatide today.

If you have commercial insurance, Forteo's manufacturer, Eli Lilly, offers a savings program through the brand's official site (forteo.lilly.com) — terms, eligibility, and savings vary and are subject to change, so check directly with the manufacturer for current details. Whether the brand savings program or a pharmacy cash price (with or without a coupon) works out better depends on your specific insurance situation, so it's worth checking both.

Teriparatide vs. Other Osteoporosis Treatments

Teriparatide is one of a smaller group of anabolic (bone-building) osteoporosis drugs, alongside abaloparatide, another self-injected PTH-related peptide. Most other osteoporosis treatments work differently: bisphosphonates like alendronate, risedronate, and zoledronic acid slow bone loss rather than building new bone, as does the injectable denosumab. Raloxifene is a different class (a SERM) also used for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Your provider may also recommend calcium and vitamin D supplementation alongside any osteoporosis treatment, since adequate calcium and vitamin D support bone health generally. Which option is right for you depends on your fracture risk, prior treatment history, and other health factors — this is a decision to make with your provider, not based on price alone.

Safety Information

Teriparatide's label no longer carries a boxed warning: in November 2020, the FDA removed the osteosarcoma (bone cancer) boxed warning and the related lifetime-use restriction after an 18-year post-marketing study in humans found no increased osteosarcoma risk (the original concern came from a rat study using high, prolonged doses). The current label still notes osteosarcoma as a rare post-marketing report and advises against use in patients with Paget's disease of bone, prior radiation involving the skeleton, bone metastases or other skeletal malignancies, or in children and young adults whose bone growth plates haven't closed.

Other things to know: some people feel dizzy or lightheaded shortly after an injection due to a temporary drop in blood pressure, so the first dose is typically given sitting or lying down. Teriparatide can raise blood calcium levels, so your provider may monitor this. It isn't used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. This is general information, not medical advice — talk to your provider about whether teriparatide is right for you and how long you should take it.

Sources & accuracy

This Teriparatide information was written and reviewed against authoritative U.S. medical sources — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), DailyMed, and FDA prescribing information — and checked for accuracy. It is provided for education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Verify the official label: Teriparatide on DailyMed (FDA)

Reviewed against FDA labeling · Last reviewed July 2026

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Medical disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.


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