Patient Information
Fortical [fōr-tĭ-kăl]
(calcitonin-salmon [rDNA origin])
Nasal Spray
Read this Patient Information before you start using Fortical Nasal Spray and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or your treatment.
What is Fortical Nasal Spray?
Fortical Nasal Spray is a prescription medicine used to treat osteoporosis in women more than 5 years after menopause. Fortical Nasal Spray should be used for women who cannot use other treatments or who choose not to use other treatments for osteoporosis.
It is not known if Fortical Nasal Spray lowers the chance of having bone fractures.
Calcitonin-salmon the active ingredient in Fortical Nasal Spray has not been shown to be effective in women less than 5 years after menopause.
It is not known if Fortical Nasal Spray is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.
Who should not use Fortical Nasal Spray?
Do not use Fortical Nasal Spray if you:
- are allergic to calcitonin-salmon or any of the ingredients in Fortical Nasal Spray. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in Fortical Nasal Spray.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Fortical Nasal Spray?
Before you use Fortical Nasal Spray, tell your healthcare provider if you:
- have any other medical conditions
- have low calcium levels in your blood
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Fortical Nasal Spray can harm your unborn baby.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Fortical Nasal Spray passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will use Fortical Nasal Spray or breastfeed.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:
- lithium. Your healthcare provider may need to change your dose of lithium while you use Fortical Nasal Spray.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How should I use Fortical Nasal Spray?
- For detailed instructions, see the Instructions for Use at the end of this Patient Information leaflet.
- Use Fortical Nasal Spray exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.
- Do not use Fortical Nasal Spray until your healthcare provider shows you and you understand how to use it correctly.
- Use 1 spray of Fortical Nasal Spray, 1 time each day, in 1 nostril (inside your nose).
- Start with 1 spray in your left nostril on your first day, followed by 1 spray in your right nostril on the second day.
- Continue to switch nostrils for your dose each day.
- Your healthcare provider should check your nose before you start using Fortical Nasal Spray and often while you are using it.
- Tell your healthcare provider if you start to have discomfort (irritation) in your nose that bothers you while you use Fortical Nasal Spray.
- Your healthcare provider should prescribe calcium and vitamin D to help prevent low calcium levels in your blood while you use Fortical Nasal Spray.
- Take your calcium and vitamin D as your healthcare provider tells you to.
- There are 30 doses (sprays) of Fortical Nasal Spray in each bottle. After 30 doses, each spray may not give you the right amount of medicine, even if the bottle is not completely empty. Keep track of the number of doses of medicine used from your bottle.
- If you use too much Fortical Nasal Spray, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
What are the possible side effects of Fortical Nasal Spray?
Fortical Nasal Spray may cause serious side effects, including:
- allergic reactions. Some people have had an allergic reaction when using Fortical Nasal Spray. Some reactions may be serious and can be life threatening. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction.
- trouble breathing
- swelling of your face, throat or tongue
- fast heartbeat
- chest pain
- feel dizzy or faint
If you might be allergic to calcitonin-salmon, your healthcare provider should do a skin test before you use Fortical Nasal Spray.
- low calcium levels in your blood (hypocalcemia). Fortical Nasal Spray may lower the calcium in your blood. If you have low blood calcium before you start using Fortical Nasal Spray, it may get worse during treatment. Your low blood calcium must be treated before you use Fortical Nasal Spray. Most people with low blood calcium levels do not have symptoms, but some people may have symptoms. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms of low blood calcium:
- numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, or around your mouth
Your healthcare provider should:- do blood tests while you use Fortical Nasal Spray
- prescribe calcium and vitamin D to help prevent low calcium levels in your blood while you use Fortical Nasal Spray.
Take your calcium and vitamin D as your healthcare provider tells you to.
Irritation of your nose can happen while you are using Fortical Nasal Spray, especially if you are over 65 years of age. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms of nose irritation:
- crusting
- dryness
- redness or swelling
- nose sores (ulcers)
- nose bleeds
Your healthcare provider may stop your treatment with Fortical Nasal Spray until your nose irritation symptoms go away.
People who use calcitonin-salmon, the medicine in Fortical Nasal Spray, may have an increased risk of cancer. Your healthcare provider should check while you are using Fortical to see if it is still right for you.
- increase of certain cells (sediment) in your urine
Your healthcare provider should test your urine often while you are using Fortical Nasal Spray.
The most common side effects of Fortical® Nasal Spray include:
- runny nose
- nose bleeds
- nasal problems
- back pain
- muscle pain
- headache
These are not all the possible side effects of Fortical Nasal Spray. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How do I store Fortical Nasal Spray?
- Store open bottles of Fortical Nasal Spray at room temperature , 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
- Store unopened bottles of Fortical Nasal Spray in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze.
- Store Fortical Nasal Spray bottles in an upright position.
- Safely throw away Fortical Nasal Spray in the trash after you have used 30 doses (sprays).
Keep Fortical Nasal Spray and all other medicines out of the reach of children.
General Information about the safe and effective use of Fortical Nasal Spray.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use Fortical Nasal Spray for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Fortical Nasal Spray to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.
This Patient Information Leaflet summarizes the most important information about Fortical Nasal Spray. If you would like more information about Fortical Nasal Spray talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about Fortical Nasal Spray that is written for health professionals.
For more information, go to
www.upsher-smith.com or call 1-888-650-3789.
What are the ingredients in Fortical Nasal Spray?
Active Ingredient: calcitonin-salmon
Inactive Ingredients: sodium chloride, citric acid, phenylethyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, polysorbate 80, hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide and purified water.