Bonsity (Teriparatide) for Osteoporosis

Bonsity (teriparatide) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain adults with osteoporosis.

How Bonsity Works and How It’s Taken

Bonsity is a type of medicine called a parathyroid hormone analog. It acts like part of a natural hormone in the body that helps control calcium and bone activity. Bonsity helps the body form new bone.

This can increase bone mass and bone strength.

Doctors prescribe Bonsity when certain people with osteoporosis are at high risk for fracture or have failed or cannot tolerate other available osteoporosis treatments. This includes:

Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis
Men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis
Men and women with osteoporosis caused by long-term use of systemic glucocorticoid medicines, such as prednisone

Bonsity is injected under the skin of the thigh or abdomen. A healthcare professional should teach you or your caregiver how to use the Bonsity pen correctly.

For the first few doses, give the injection in a place where you can sit or lie down right away if you feel lightheaded or feel your heart pounding or beating unusually.

Typical Dosing for Osteoporosis

The recommended dose of Bonsity is 20 micrograms injected under the skin once a day.

Do not take more than one injection in the same day.

Bonsity should only be used for more than two years during your lifetime if your healthcare provider determines that you still have, or again have, a high risk for fracture.

If you do not get enough calcium and vitamin D from your diet, your healthcare provider may recommend supplements.

This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Bonsity Side Effects

In clinical studies of Bonsity, the most common side effects occurred in about 10 percent to 21 percent of people. These include:

Arthralgia (joint pain)
Pain
Nausea

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Bonsity can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:

Hypersensitivity (severe allergic reactions) — Reactions can include anaphylaxis and angioedema, which may cause swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or tongue, trouble breathing, hives, or fainting.
Osteosarcoma (a rare bone cancer) — Cases have been reported, and the risk beyond two years of use is not well known.
Hypercalcemia (high calcium levels in the blood) — This can occur during Bonsity treatment.
Calciphylaxis or worsening cutaneous calcification — Painful skin sores or wounds can occur because of calcium buildup in the skin.
Urolithiasis — Bonsity may worsen active or recent kidney stones.
Orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure when you stand up) — This can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Bonsity

Alvogen, the manufacturer of Bonsity, offers the BONSITY Savings Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 and receive up to $12,000 per year toward copay or out-of-pocket costs.

The program also offers a downloadable savings card to share with your pharmacy.

To learn more, visit the Bonsity Savings Program, call 833-330-0806, or download the savings card.

What To Know Before Taking Bonsity

Before starting Bonsity, tell your doctor if you:

Have had an allergic reaction to teriparatide or any ingredient in Bonsity
Have Paget’s disease or another bone disease
Have bone cancer or have had bone cancer in the past
Are a young adult whose bones are still growing
Have had radiation treatment involving your bones
Have an inherited condition that may increase your risk of a type of bone cancer called osteosarcoma
Have or have had high calcium levels in your blood
Have or have had painful skin sores or wounds caused by calcium buildup
Have or have had kidney stones
Take a medicine that contains digoxin

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Do not use Bonsity if you have had a severe allergic reaction to teriparatide or any ingredient in Bonsity.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Your doctor may consider stopping Bonsity if you become pregnant. Avoid using Bonsity while breastfeeding.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Bonsity for osteoporosis?

In a study of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, daily teriparatide reduced the risk of new vertebral fractures from 14.3 percent to 5.0 percent. The study had a median treatment exposure of 19 months. It also reduced the risk of new nonvertebral fractures from 5.5 percent to 2.6 percent.

Lumbar spine bone mineral density increased by an average of 9.7 percent from the start to the end of the study. Increases were seen as early as the third month.

How long does Bonsity take to work for osteoporosis?

In clinical studies, increases in bone mineral density in the lower spine were seen within three months and continued during treatment. In postmenopausal women, the effects of teriparatide on fracture risk were studied in people who were treated for a median of 19 months.

Does Bonsity interact with other medicines?

Bonsity may interact with digoxin, a medicine used for certain heart conditions. Bonsity can temporarily raise calcium levels in the blood, which may increase the risk of side effects from digoxin. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.