TRIAL RESULTS · SIDE EFFECTS
Calcitonin side effects
ANSWER
In 2 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, the most common side effects of Calcitonin were hot flush 16.9% (placebo 4.3%), arthralgia 16.5% (placebo 21.9%), nausea 14.8% (placebo 3.0%). Read from ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Trial register
Trials with posted results
2
with an arm on Calcitonin, of 154 registered
Against placebo
2
placebo-controlled trials
People in those trials
965
on Calcitonin · 612 on placebo
Read
2026-10-03
ClinicalTrials.gov
VS PLACEBO
Most common side effects, Calcitonin beside placebo
Share of people with each side effect in 2 placebo-controlled trials with posted results: 965 people on Calcitonin (all doses), 612 on placebo, same trials. Listed only when reported for at least half of the people on Calcitonin. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
ALL TRIALS
The 100 most reported of 187 side effects reported
Every trial with posted results and an arm on Calcitonin (n ≥ 20), all phases, by people affected. Placebo is shown where placebo-controlled trials reported the same event. Comparator arms are not counted.
| Side effect | Organ system | Calcitonin | Placebo | Trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot flush | Vascular disorders | 16.9% (88 of 520) | 4.3% | 1 |
| Arthralgia | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 16.5% (86 of 520) | 21.9% | 1 |
| Nausea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 14.8% (77 of 520) | 3.0% | 1 |
| abdominal pain | Gastrointestinal disorders | 16.4% (73 of 445) | 14.4% | 1 |
| Influenza | Infections and infestations | 7.0% (68 of 965) | 6.9% | 2 |
| Nasopharyngitis | Infections and infestations | 6.8% (66 of 965) | 8.0% | 2 |
| Headache | Nervous system disorders | 5.9% (57 of 965) | 5.6% | 2 |
| Back Pain | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 10.0% (52 of 520) | 10.6% | 1 |
| Dyspepsia | Gastrointestinal disorders | 9.2% (48 of 520) | 4.1% | 1 |
| abdominal pain upper | Gastrointestinal disorders | 10.6% (47 of 445) | 8.7% | 1 |
| nausea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 10.6% (47 of 445) | 6.7% | 1 |
| Diarrhoea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 8.7% (45 of 520) | 5.3% | 1 |
| Upper respiratory tract infection | Infections and infestations | 4.6% (44 of 965) | 5.1% | 2 |
| Dizziness | Nervous system disorders | 6.2% (32 of 520) | 3.3% | 1 |
| Urinary tract Infection | Infections and infestations | 7.2% (32 of 445) | 3.8% | 1 |
| Hypertension | Vascular disorders | 6.0% (31 of 520) | 7.7% | 1 |
| constipation | Gastrointestinal disorders | 6.7% (30 of 445) | 6.7% | 1 |
| Pain in extremity | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 5.2% (27 of 520) | 4.5% | 1 |
| dyspepsia | Gastrointestinal disorders | 6.1% (27 of 445) | 2.9% | 1 |
| Back pain | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 2.7% (26 of 965) | 0.7% | 2 |
| Musculoskeletal pain | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 5.0% (26 of 520) | 3.9% | 1 |
| Hypercholesterolaemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 4.6% (24 of 520) | 4.7% | 1 |
| Diarrhea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 4.7% (21 of 445) | 6.7% | 1 |
| Pneumonia | Infections and infestations | 3.8% (20 of 520) | 3.0% | 1 |
| Abdominal pain upper | Gastrointestinal disorders | 3.7% (19 of 520) | 3.0% | 1 |
| Bronchitis | Infections and infestations | 3.7% (19 of 520) | 2.2% | 1 |
| Oedema peripheral | General disorders | 3.3% (17 of 520) | 2.8% | 1 |
| Viral infection | Infections and infestations | 3.1% (16 of 520) | 3.5% | 1 |
| Cough | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 3.1% (16 of 520) | 3.0% | 1 |
| Osteoarthritis | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 1.6% (15 of 965) | 4.1% | 2 |
| Influenza like illness | General disorders | 2.9% (15 of 520) | 2.8% | 1 |
| Erythema | Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | 2.9% (15 of 520) | 0.2% | 1 |
| Urinary tract infection | Infections and infestations | 2.7% (14 of 520) | 2.0% | 1 |
| Abdominal discomfort | Gastrointestinal disorders | 2.7% (14 of 520) | 0.8% | 1 |
| Cystitis | Infections and infestations | 2.5% (13 of 520) | 4.1% | 1 |
| Pruritus | Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | 2.5% (13 of 520) | 1.8% | 1 |
| Neck pain | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 2.3% (12 of 520) | 1.6% | 1 |
| Fatigue | General disorders | 2.3% (12 of 520) | 1.0% | 1 |
| Rhinitis | Infections and infestations | 2.7% (12 of 445) | 5.8% | 1 |
| Constipation | Gastrointestinal disorders | 2.1% (11 of 520) | 2.8% | 1 |
| Sciatica | Nervous system disorders | 2.1% (11 of 520) | 1.4% | 1 |
| Procedural pain | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 1.9% (10 of 520) | 3.9% | 1 |
| Tooth infection | Infections and infestations | 1.9% (10 of 520) | 3.1% | 1 |
| Sinusitis | Infections and infestations | 1.3% (7 of 520) | 2.8% | 1 |
| Joint sprain | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 1.3% (7 of 520) | 2.2% | 1 |
| Contusion | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 1.0% (5 of 520) | 2.0% | 1 |
| Hypocalcaemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 1.0% (5 of 520) | 2.0% | 1 |
| Prostate cancer | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 1.0% (5 of 520) | 1.0% | 1 |
| Femur fracture | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.3% (3 of 965) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Angina pectoris | Cardiac disorders | 0.6% (3 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Spinal column stenosis | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 0.6% (3 of 520) | 0.2% | 1 |
| Bladder cancer | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.6% (3 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Hip fracture | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.2% (2 of 965) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Upper limb fracture | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.2% (2 of 965) | 0.2% | 2 |
| Knee arthroplasty | Surgical and medical procedures | 0.2% (2 of 965) | 0.2% | 2 |
| Cataract operation | Surgical and medical procedures | 0.2% (2 of 965) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Atrial fibrillation | Cardiac disorders | 0.4% (2 of 520) | 0.6% | 1 |
| Acute myocardial infarction | Cardiac disorders | 0.4% (2 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Gastritis | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.4% (2 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Cholelithiasis | Hepatobiliary disorders | 0.4% (2 of 520) | 0.2% | 1 |
| Prostatic specific antigen increased | Investigations | 0.4% (2 of 520) | 0.6% | 1 |
| Cerebrovascular accident | Nervous system disorders | 0.4% (2 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Angina Pectoris | Cardiac disorders | 0.4% (2 of 445) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Accidental overdose | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.4% (2 of 445) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Syncope | Nervous system disorders | 0.4% (2 of 445) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Hysterectomy | Surgical and medical procedures | 0.4% (2 of 445) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Hypertensive crisis | Vascular disorders | 0.4% (2 of 445) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Wrist fracture | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.1% (1 of 965) | 0.5% | 2 |
| Musculoskeletal chest pain | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 0.1% (1 of 965) | 0.2% | 2 |
| Breast cancer | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.1% (1 of 965) | 0.2% | 2 |
| Myocardial ischaemia | Cardiac disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.2% | 1 |
| Acute coronary syndrome | Cardiac disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Cardiac arrest | Cardiac disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Supraventricular tachycardia | Cardiac disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Middle ear inflammation | Ear and labyrinth disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Goitre | Endocrine disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.2% | 1 |
| Abdominal pain | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.2% | 1 |
| Haemorrhoids | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Intestinal obstruction | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Pancreatitis | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Chest pain | General disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.2% | 1 |
| Foreign body reaction | General disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Cholangitis acute | Hepatobiliary disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.2% | 1 |
| Cholecystitis | Hepatobiliary disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Jaundice | Hepatobiliary disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Cellulitis | Infections and infestations | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.2% | 1 |
| Diverticulitis | Infections and infestations | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Infection | Infections and infestations | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Ankle fracture | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.2% | 1 |
| Tibia fracture | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.2% | 1 |
| Cystitis radiation | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Joint dislocation | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Multiple fractures | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Open wound | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Overdose | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Hypernatraemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Intervertebral disc protrusion | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.2% | 1 |
| Arthritis reactive | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Foot deformity | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Tendonitis | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 0.2% (1 of 520) | 0.0% | 1 |
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov posted results, read 2026-10-03. A trial lists events above its own reporting threshold, so a rare event may be missing from some trials. Not medical advice.
FDA LABEL
What the FDA label says
Calcitonin Salmon ANDA076396 · label of 2026-09-10 Regulator
Most common adverse reactions (3% or greater) are rhinitis, epistaxis and other nasal symptoms, back pain, arthralgia, and headache ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Apotex Corp.
Serious reactions the label warns about: Hypersensitivity Reactions, including anaphylaxis, Hypocalcemia, Nasal Adverse Reactions, Malignancy.
Miacalcin NDA017808 · label of 2024-09-15 Regulator
The most common adverse reactions are discussed below.
QUESTIONS
Does calcitonin cause hot flush?
In 2 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, 16.9% of people on calcitonin reported hot flush, against 4.3% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Does calcitonin cause arthralgia?
In 2 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, 16.5% of people on calcitonin reported arthralgia, against 21.9% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Does calcitonin cause nausea?
In 2 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, 14.8% of people on calcitonin reported nausea, against 3.0% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Does calcitonin cause Back Pain?
In 2 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, 10.0% of people on calcitonin reported Back Pain, against 10.6% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Does calcitonin cause dyspepsia?
In 2 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, 9.2% of people on calcitonin reported dyspepsia, against 4.1% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
REGISTERED STUDIES
154 registered clinical trials of Calcitonin
The 10 most recently updated are listed.
| NCT03401619 | Beijing Osteoporosis With Neurological Disorders in Epigenetic Changes Study Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · Updated 2026-10-02 |
|---|---|
| 2022-502922-41-00 | Long-term safety and efficacy of semaglutide s.c. once-weekly on weight management in children and adolescents (aged 6 to <18 years) with obesity or overweight Status: UNKNOWN · Updated 2026-10-01 |
| NCT05955612 | Use of Procalcitonin, a Blood Test to Guide Antibiotic Therapy for Sepsis in Adults Status: COMPLETED · Updated 2026-09-22 |
| NCT07599228 | Using Virtual Reality to Teach Mindfulness to People With Migraine Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Updated 2026-08-26 |
| NCT01498705 | The Natural History of Procalcitonin in Hemorrhagic Stroke Status: WITHDRAWN · Updated 2026-08-21 |
| NCT07769255 | Effect of Nebulized Dexmedetomidine on Central Sensitization and Chronification in Migraine Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-08-17 |
| NCT07699549 | Long-term Atogepant in Real-world Practice Status: COMPLETED · Updated 2026-07-22 |
| NCT07699432 | Different Kinematics Within a Single-File System and Postoperative Pain Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · Updated 2026-07-13 |
| NCT07655804 | Subcutaneous Calcitonin in Acute Herpes Zoster Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-07-06 |
| NCT07653516 | Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide Antibody in Acute Mountain Sickness Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Updated 2026-07-01 |
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