The recommended Forteo (teriparatide) dosage for osteoporosis is 20 mcg per day. The drug comes as a liquid solution in a prefilled pen and is injected under the skin, usually once per day.
Forteo is a prescription drug used to treat osteoporosis in adults. Specifically, it’s prescribed for:
- females* who have gone through menopause
- males* with low testosterone levels
- people who have taken corticosteroids long term
* In this article, we use the terms ”female” and “male” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. To learn more about this topic, see this article comparing sex and gender.
In addition, those who inject Forteo must have a high risk of bone fractures or have tried other osteoporosis medications that haven’t worked for them.
Forteo belongs to a group of drugs called parathyroid hormone analogs. Forteo contains the active ingredient teriparatide. It’s designed to be similar to your body’s parathyroid hormone.
This article describes the dosage of Forteo, its strength, form, and how to take it.
The following information describes the typical dosage of Forteo.
Note: This chart highlights the basics of Forteo’s dosage. Be sure to read on for more detail.
| Form | Strength | Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| liquid solution in a prefilled pen | 250 micrograms per milliliter (mcg/mL) | 20 mcg once per day |
Note: Each pen contains 560 mcg of Forteo in 2.24 mL of liquid solution.
What is Forteo’s form?
Forteo comes as a liquid solution in a prefilled pen. It’s given as an injection under the skin. There are 28 Forteo doses per pen given at a frequency of one dose per day.
What strength does Forteo come in?
Forteo’s strength is 250 mcg/mL. Each pen contains 560 mcg of Forteo in 2.24 mL of liquid solution.
What’s the usual dosage of Forteo?
The information below describes Forteo‘s recommended dosage. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Note: Your doctor may recommend that you take calcium and vitamin D supplements during treatment with Forteo, especially if you don’t get enough from your diet. These supplements help support healthy bones.
Dosage for osteoporosis
To treat osteoporosis, you’ll inject 20 mcg of Forteo once per day under your skin, usually in your thigh or lower abdomen.
Is Forteo used long term?
Forteo may be used as a long-term treatment if you continue to have a high risk of bone fractures. But it’s generally recommended to limit treatment to 2 years.
Once you no longer have a high risk of bone fractures, your doctor will likely recommend that you stop injecting Forteo.
If you have questions about your treatment length with Forteo, talk with your doctor.
This section provides information about Forteo’s route of administration (how it’s given).
Where to inject Forteo
Forteo should be injected under the skin of your lower abdomen or thigh. Rotate the injection sites so that you’re not injecting the medication into the same area each day. Regularly changing the injection site can help prevent damage to your skin.
How to inject Forteo
Before injecting Forteo, you’ll wash your hands and prepare the injection site by wiping it with rubbing alcohol. Then, you’ll follow these steps:
- Pull off the white cap from the pen.
- Screw an unused needle onto the cartridge.
- Set the dose of Forteo by pulling out the black injection button until it locks.
- Insert the needle by gently pinching a fold of skin on your thigh or abdomen.
- Push the black injection button until it stops. Then, hold the needle in place for 5 seconds before pulling the needle out.
For more details on how to inject Forteo, see the drug manufacturer’s instructions.
Note: When you start injecting Forteo, you may feel dizzy or lightheaded after the first few doses. It’s a good idea to sit or lie down right after injecting your dose, just in case. These symptoms usually go away within a few hours.
If you miss a dose of Forteo, skip it entirely, and inject the next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Do not inject more than one dose per day. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’ve missed a dose and aren’t sure when to inject your next dose.
To help make sure you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder such as a reminder app downloaded to your phone.
Do not inject more Forteo than your doctor prescribes as this can lead to serious side effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- weakness
- low blood pressure
- headache
- dizziness
What to do in case you inject too much Forteo
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve injected too much Forteo. They may order blood tests to check your calcium and phosphorus levels.
You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Forteo’s dosage.
How does the dosing schedule of Forteo compare with the dosing schedule of Prolia?
Forteo and Prolia both treat osteoporosis and come as a liquid solution that’s injected under the skin. But they contain different active ingredients and work in different ways.
If you’re prescribed Forteo, you’ll inject the medication under your skin once per day. If you’re prescribed Prolia, a healthcare professional will inject the medication under your skin once every 6 months.
For more information about how Forteo and Prolia compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
What’s the usual length of Forteo treatment?
Typically, doctors don’t prescribe Forteo for more than 2 years during a person’s lifetime. But your doctor may prescribe Forteo for more than 2 years if your risk of bone fractures remains high, or if this risk returns after you’ve stopped treatment.
To find out how long you’ll need to inject Forteo, talk with your doctor.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
