Home Drug Guide Palopegteriparatide

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Palopegteriparatide

Brand Names Yorvipath

Classification

Therapeutic: Bone Resorption Inhibitor / Anabolic Agent

Pharmacological: Recombinant Parathyroid Hormone Analog

FDA Approved Indications

  • Treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men at high risk for fracture

Mechanism of Action

Palopegteriparatide is a recombinant form of parathyroid hormone that stimulates bone formation by activating osteoblasts, thereby increasing bone mass and strength.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically, 20 mcg administered subcutaneously once daily. Specific dosing and duration depend on patient response and clinical judgment.

Pediatric: Not approved for use in pediatric populations.

Geriatric: Use with caution; adjust dose based on renal function and patient tolerability.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dose or monitor closely in patients with renal impairment.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific adjustments are generally required.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid subcutaneous absorption.

Distribution: Widely distributed with a small volume of distribution.

Metabolism: Degraded by proteolytic enzymes; not metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes.

Excretion: Excreted as amino acids and peptides via the renal route.

Half Life: Approximately 1 hour.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to Palopegteriparatide or any component of the formulation.
  • Paget's disease involving the skeleton.
  • Bone cancer or an unexplained elevated alkaline phosphatase.
  • History of radiation therapy involving the skeleton.

Precautions

  • Use cautiously in patients with hypercalcemia, kidney stones, or a history of skeletal malignancies. Monitor serum calcium during therapy.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Nausea (Common)
  • Leg cramps (Common)
  • Orthostatic hypotension (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Hypercalcemia (Less common)
  • Osteosarcoma (animal studies concern, no confirmed cases in humans) (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • NO specific interactions identified; caution with other drugs affecting calcium or bone metabolism.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor calcium levels, renal function, and signs of adverse effects.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for fractures
  • Altered calcium metabolism

Implementation: Administer subcutaneously as prescribed, rotate sites, and educate patient on proper injection technique.

Evaluation: Assess for effectiveness in increasing bone density and monitor for adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take as directed; do not exceed prescribed dose.
  • Report symptoms of hypercalcemia, severe bone pain, or new or worsening bone pain.
  • Maintain adequate hydration.
  • Follow-up appointments for monitoring.
  • Avoid high-impact activities during initial treatment phase.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Potential risk of osteosarcoma; use only for indicated duration and patient population.
  • Not recommended for patients at increased risk for osteosarcoma.

Genetic Factors: N/A

Lab Test Interference: May increase serum calcium levels, affecting diagnostic tests.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe hypercalcemia, nausea, vomiting, weakness.

Treatment: Discontinue medication, administer IV hydration, and manage hypercalcemia with bisphosphonates or other appropriate therapies.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Keep in original carton to protect from light.

Stability: Stable for up to 14 days at room temperature if refrigeration is not available.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.