Clinical use of teriparatide in the real world: initial insights

To summarize expert opinion regarding clinical application of the recently introduced anabolic agent teriparatide [human parathyroid hormone (1-34)] in treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in women, and osteoporosis in men.

The anabolic agent teriparatide was approved for clinical use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on November 26, 2002. Since the launch of teriparatide, many more questions about clinical use of this exciting agent have emerged than there are answers provided by clinical trials or FDA-approved product labeling. A group of physicians with a broad range of experience in research and clinical applications of teriparatide met recently to address practical issues related to its use. This manuscript is a compendium of the consensus opinions of the authors that attempts to provide practical answers to many real-world questions being asked about teriparatide therapy since its approval by the FDA.