Teriparatide
An FDA-approved fragment of parathyroid hormone that stimulates new bone formation, used for severe osteoporosis.
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What is Teriparatide?
Teriparatide is a recombinant form of the first 34 amino acids of human parathyroid hormone (PTH 1-34). Unlike most osteoporosis drugs that only slow bone loss, teriparatide is anabolic — it actually stimulates new bone formation. It is FDA-approved for treatment of osteoporosis in patients at high fracture risk.
Why People Talk About It
Stimulating new bone formation (anabolic)
StrongReducing fracture risk in severe osteoporosis
StrongHealing stress fractures
ModerateHow It Works
When given in daily pulses, teriparatide stimulates the bone-building cells (osteoblasts) to create new bone faster than the bone-breaking cells (osteoclasts) can remove it. This net gain in bone mass reduces fracture risk.
Common Questions
Safety Information
Common Side Effects
Cautions
- • Black box warning for osteosarcoma risk (based on rat studies at high doses)
- • Limited to 2 years of use
- • Contraindicated in Paget's disease, unexplained elevated alkaline phosphatase, prior radiation to bone
What We Don't Know
The osteosarcoma risk seen in rats has not been confirmed in humans after decades of use, but the 2-year limitation remains as a precaution.
Published Research
30 studiesA systematic review and meta-analysis of sequential treatment strategies for osteoporosis
Cardiovascular Safety of Romosozumab Compared to Commonly Used Anti-osteoporosis Medications in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Antiosteoporosis medication in patients with posterior spine fusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis
PTH1 receptor agonists for fracture risk: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Assessing the Efficacy of Romosozumab in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Efficacy and safety of abaloparatide, denosumab, teriparatide, oral bisphosphonates, and intravenous bisphosphonates in the treatment of male osteoporosis: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis
Clinical presentation, risk factors and management of pregnancy-associated osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Efficacy and safety of denosumab and teriparatide versus oral bisphosphonates to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Evaluating the Clinical Efficacy of Teriparatide and Denosumab Combination Therapy in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Efficacy and Safety of Anti-Osteoporotic Agents across CKD Stages: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Comparative Effectiveness of Therapeutic Interventions in Pregnancy and Lactation-Associated Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Conservative Treatments in the Management of Acute Painful Vertebral Compression Fractures: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
The effect of teriparatide on patients with atypical femur fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Nocebo-associated treatment discontinuation with subcutaneous anti-osteoporotic drugs. A systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-arm dropouts in randomized-controlled trials
Impact of anti-fracture medications on bone material and strength properties: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Comparing the Efficacy of Antiosteoporotic Drugs in Preventing Periprosthetic Bone Loss Following Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis
Effectiveness and Safety of Treatments to Prevent Fractures in People With Low Bone Mass or Primary Osteoporosis: A Living Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis for the American College of Physicians
Efficacy of osteoporosis pharmacological treatments in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Drug efficacy and safety of denosumab, teriparatide, zoledronic acid, and ibandronic acid for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Efficacy and safety of medications for osteoporosis in kidney transplant recipients or patients with chronic kidney disease: A meta-analysis
Evidence for the cardiovascular effects of osteoporosis treatments in randomized trials of post-menopausal women: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis
Clinical efficacy of denosumab, teriparatide, and oral bisphosphonates in the prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
The efficiency and safety of alendronate versus teriparatide for treatment glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis: A meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Efficacy and safety of anti-sclerostin antibodies in the treatment of osteoporosis: A meta-analysis and systematic review
Safety and Efficacy of PTH 1-34 and 1-84 Therapy in Chronic Hypoparathyroidism: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Trials
Pharmacological interventions versus placebo, no treatment or usual care for osteoporosis in people with chronic kidney disease stages 3-5D
Meta-Analysis of Clinical Fracture Risk Reduction of Antiosteoporosis Drugs: Direct and Indirect Comparisons and Meta-Regressions
Denosumab, raloxifene, romosozumab and teriparatide to prevent osteoporotic fragility fractures: a systematic review and economic evaluation
Effects of teriparatide compared with risedronate in the treatment of osteoporosis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Efficacy and safety of teriparatide vs. bisphosphonates and denosumab vs. bisphosphonates in osteoporosis not previously treated with bisphosphonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Always consult a qualified clinician
This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician
Related Peptides
Quick Facts
- Class
- Parathyroid Hormone Fragment
- Evidence
- Strong
- Safety
- Well-Studied
- Updated
- Mar 2026
- Citations
- 30PubMed
Also known as
Tags
Related Goals
Evidence Score
Clinical Trials
View Clinical TrialsLinks to ClinicalTrials.gov for reference. Listing does not imply endorsement.
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