Eli Lilly’s teriparatide (rDNA origin) injection (Forteo) has been approved to treat osteoporosis associated with sustained, systemic glucocorticoid therapy in men and women at high risk of fractures. Glucocorticoid therapy, often prescribed for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, is the most common cause of secondary osteoporosis.
The use of glucocorticoids can lead to reduced bone formation. Teriparatide can counteract this effect by stimulating bone formation.
The company has updated the language in the existing boxed warning regarding the risk of osteosarcoma to reemphasize that teriparatide should not be used in young patients whose bones are still growing. A voluntary patient registry is also being established.
Source: Eli Lilly, July 23, 2009
