Reviewed by the PeptideMind Team · Updated August 5, 2026

Teriparatide (Forteo) Dosage Guide, Benefits & Side Effects

Teriparatide (Forteo, Bonsity) dosage guide: standard 20mcg/day pen injection, how it builds new bone via PTH1R, fracture risk reduction, and side effects.

Basic Dosage Calculator

Calculate peptide doses with our visual syringe guide.

Peptide per vial

Target research quantity

Bac water added

As seen on

Teriparatide Dosage Schedule

A once-daily injection that tells the body to build new bone, used for osteoporosis under close medical guidance. Lifetime use is generally kept to around two years.

Daily Bone Building Injection Protocol

105 weeks, focused on healing and recovery.

Daily dosing

Taken daily.

20 mcg per injection

20 mcg per injection, given just under the skin in the abdomen or thigh.

Teriparatide is a lab-made piece of parathyroid hormone that stimulates new bone formation. It is an FDA-approved prescription treatment for osteoporosis, given as a small daily injection, with lifetime use generally capped around two years.

August 2026

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

What is Teriparatide?

Teriparatide is an FDA-approved medication, sold as Forteo or Bonsity, made from a fragment of natural human parathyroid hormone. It works by stimulating the body to build new bone, which increases bone density and lowers the risk of fractures. It's approved for people with osteoporosis, including postmenopausal women, certain men, and people whose bone loss was caused by long-term steroid use.

Healing

Research targets include tissue repair, wound healing, and recovery from injury.

Healing

ter

Our top-rated vendor

Our rankings are based solely on third-party lab testing rigor, COA transparency, and pricing, no paid placements, no affiliate influence. We update this list as new data comes in.

Based on current scores, this vendor ranks highest across those criteria.

Protide Health

#1 Rated Research Peptide Supplier

Visit site

View all vendors

What Does Teriparatide Do?

It attaches to a receptor found on bone-building cells, switching on growth-supporting signals and a pathway (Wnt) that favors building new bone. Giving it in short daily bursts, rather than continuously, is what tips the balance toward building bone instead of breaking it down.

Binds bone-building receptors

Attaches to a receptor found on bone-building cells.

Switches on growth pathways

Activates growth-supporting signals, including the Wnt pathway.

Timing matters

Short daily bursts tip the balance toward building bone instead of breaking it down.

Frequently Asked Questions About Teriparatide

Straight answers on reconstitution, dosing, and safety, everything you need to research with confidence. For research reference only.

Teriparatide is a synthetic peptide corresponding to the biologically active 1-34 amino acid fragment of human parathyroid hormone (PTH). Given as a daily injection, it stimulates osteoblast activity more than osteoclast activity, producing a net anabolic (bone-building) effect that increases bone mineral density and bone strength, unlike most osteoporosis drugs (bisphosphonates, denosumab) which mainly slow bone breakdown.

Teriparatide (brand names Forteo, Bonsity, and generic versions) is approved for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high fracture risk, men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis at high fracture risk, and men and women with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis who are at high fracture risk. It is a prescription medication used under medical supervision, not an over-the-counter or research-use compound.

The standard dose is 20 mcg injected subcutaneously once daily, typically in the thigh or abdominal wall, using a prefilled pen device. It should be injected around the same time each day. Treatment is generally limited to a total lifetime duration of no more than two years, based on the studies supporting its approval, unless a prescriber determines a patient's fracture risk justifies longer use.

Bone turnover markers rise within the first few months, while measurable increases in lumbar spine bone mineral density are typically seen around 6 months, with hip BMD gains appearing later (around 12 months) and continuing to accrue through 24 months. Because teriparatide's anabolic effect is not permanent, bone density gains tend to decline after discontinuation unless follow-up therapy with an antiresorptive agent (such as a bisphosphonate) is started, which is standard practice.

It is contraindicated in people with a known hypersensitivity to teriparatide, those with pre-existing hypercalcemia, metabolic bone diseases other than osteoporosis (e.g., Paget's disease), bone metastases or a history of skeletal malignancies, and in children or young adults with open growth plates. It is also not recommended for patients with a history of radiation therapy involving the skeleton. A clinician should review a patient's full medical history before use.

Early studies in rats given very high, long-term doses of teriparatide showed an increased incidence of osteosarcoma (a bone cancer). This led to a boxed warning on the original label. Subsequent long-term human surveillance data did not show a clear increased risk of osteosarcoma in patients treated at approved doses, and the FDA removed the boxed warning from the label in 2020 based on this accumulated evidence, though monitoring continues.

Teriparatide Reconstitution Guide

Teriparatide is supplied as a freeze-dried powder that must be mixed into a injectable solution before use. Available in 5mg, 10mg sizes.

1 mg lyophilized vial

Teriparatide is supplied as a freeze-dried powder that must be mixed into a injectable solution before use. Available in 5mg, 10mg sizes.

1 mL bacteriostatic water

Adding 1 mL of bac water to a 1 mg vial gives a workable concentration for syringe dosing. More water makes microdosing easier; less concentrates each draw.

Storage after mixing

Keep the pre-filled pen in the fridge and never freeze it — discard it 28 days after you first use it. It can be kept at room temperature for up to a day and a half if you're traveling. After reconstitution, keep the vial refrigerated and use within 30 days.

Reconstitution steps

Remove caps & sanitize stoppers

Attach needle to syringe

Draw 1 mL bacteriostatic water

Insert needle into Teriparatide vial

Release water gently down the side

Swirl to dissolve — don't shake

Check for full dissolution

Refrigerate Teriparatide — good for 30 days

Chemical Makeup

Amino Acids

Teriparatide

Asn

Position 1

Thr

Position 2

Glu

Position 3

Arg

Position 4

Met

Position 5

Ile

Position 6

Asn

Position 7

Ala

Position 8

Leu

Position 9

Pyl

Position 10

Phe

Position 11

Pro

Position 12

Ala

Position 13

Arg

Position 14

Ala

Position 15

Thr

Position 16

His

Position 17

Tyr

Position 18

Arg

Position 19

Pyl

Position 20

Ile

Position 21

Asp

Position 22

His

Position 23

Pyl

Position 24

Arg

Position 25

Met

Position 26

Pyl

Position 27

Asn

Position 28

Glu

Position 29

Amino acid sequence

AsparaginePosition 1

ThreoninePosition 2

Glutamic acidPosition 3

ArgininePosition 4

MethioninePosition 5

IsoleucinePosition 6

AsparaginePosition 7

AlaninePosition 8

LeucinePosition 9

PyrrolysinePosition 10

PhenylalaninePosition 11

ProlinePosition 12

AlaninePosition 13

ArgininePosition 14

AlaninePosition 15

ThreoninePosition 16

HistidinePosition 17

TyrosinePosition 18

ArgininePosition 19

PyrrolysinePosition 20

IsoleucinePosition 21

Aspartic acidPosition 22

HistidinePosition 23

PyrrolysinePosition 24

ArgininePosition 25

MethioninePosition 26

PyrrolysinePosition 27

AsparaginePosition 28

Glutamic acidPosition 29

What Are the Benefits of Teriparatide?

What research says it may help with, and how it works in the body.

osteoporosis fdaapproved

: It's FDA-approved for women who have osteoporosis and are at high risk of breaking a bone.
: It's FDA-approved for men and women whose osteoporosis was caused by long-term use of corticosteroid medications.
: It's FDA-approved for men with osteoporosis, including cases linked to low testosterone, who are at high risk of fracture.

bone health research

: Researchers are studying whether it can speed up the healing of broken bones and general bone repair.
: It's being studied for helping regrow jawbone in dental treatments.

What Are the Side Effects of Teriparatide?

Who should avoid it, warning signs to watch for, and what to know before combining it with other compounds.

Who Should Avoid It

: Paget's disease of bone
: Prior skeletal radiation therapy
: History of skeletal malignancies
: Metabolic bone diseases other than osteoporosis
: Pre-existing hypercalcemia
: Pregnancy

Stop Right Away If You Notice

: Signs of hypercalcemia (confusion, fatigue, nausea)
: Persistent bone pain
: Allergic reactions

Milder Signs to Watch For

Cloudy or discolored solutionParticulates visibleExposed to freezing or high temperatures

Was it helpful?Yes

Is Teriparatide FDA approved?

Teriparatide is FDA approved.

FDA Approved

Teriparatide has been reviewed and approved by the FDA for safety and efficacy in its approved indications.

Regulated Manufacturing

Manufactured under FDA-regulated quality standards, ensuring consistent purity and dosing.

Prescription Use

Legally available by prescription for its approved medical indications.

A smartphone screen displaying an app interface labeled "FDA Status," confirming a drug's approval status with a green "Yes" indicator. Below, there is an "Approved Use" section highlighting FDA approval, accompanied by usage instructions and additional information about the importance of regulatory approval for drug safety and effectiveness.

Teriparatide Cycle Length: How Long Should It Last?

This breaks down how long a typical Teriparatide cycle runs and what research suggests happens at each stage. Research shows that staying on a peptide continuously, without a break, may make it less effective over time.

That's why most research protocols build in a break between cycles, often called a washout period, to let the body reset before starting again.

Month 1-3: Bone formation begins; spine BMD increases
Month 3-6: Continued bone density improvements
Month 6-12: 5-9% spine BMD increase; fracture risk reduction
Week 0-0: Maximum benefits achieved; transition to maintenance

Teriparatide Research References

It is a fda approved compound

4Research references

Teriparatide

Teriparatide is a fda approved compound

Teriparatide

Intermittent PTH exposure induces bone formation more than resorption; FDA-approved for osteoporosis.

n.d.

Teriparatide: 2.5 Years of Experience

Reduced vertebral fractures by 65% and nonvertebral fractures by 35% after 20 months.

n.d.

Parathyroid Hormone (1-84) and Teriparatide in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

Initial formation without resorption creates 'anabolic window' for rapid bone volume increase.

n.d.

The effect of teriparatide therapy on bone density in men with osteoporosis

Spine BMD increased 5.9% (20mcg) and 9.0% (40mcg); femoral neck increased 1.5-2.9%.

n.d.

Teriparatide (Forteo) Dosage Guide, Benefits & Side Effects

Teriparatide Dosage Schedule

What is Teriparatide?

Our top-rated vendor

What Does Teriparatide Do?

Frequently Asked Questions About Teriparatide

What is Teriparatide and how does it work?

What is Teriparatide approved to treat?

How is Teriparatide dosed and administered?

How long does it take to see results, and does bone density loss return after stopping?

What are the common side effects?

Who should not use Teriparatide?

Is there a cancer risk associated with Teriparatide?

How should Teriparatide be stored?

Teriparatide Reconstitution Guide

Chemical Makeup

What Are the Benefits of Teriparatide?

osteoporosis fdaapproved

bone health research

What Are the Side Effects of Teriparatide?

Who Should Avoid It

Stop Right Away If You Notice

Milder Signs to Watch For

Is Teriparatide FDA approved?

Teriparatide Cycle Length: How Long Should It Last?

Teriparatide Research References

Teriparatide (Forteo) Dosage Guide, Benefits & Side Effects

Teriparatide Dosage Schedule

What is Teriparatide?

Our top-rated vendor

What Does Teriparatide Do?

Teriparatide Targeted areas

Frequently Asked Questions About Teriparatide

What is Teriparatide and how does it work?

What is Teriparatide approved to treat?

How is Teriparatide dosed and administered?

How long does it take to see results, and does bone density loss return after stopping?

What are the common side effects?

Who should not use Teriparatide?

Is there a cancer risk associated with Teriparatide?

How should Teriparatide be stored?

Teriparatide Reconstitution Guide

Chemical Makeup

What Are the Benefits of Teriparatide?

osteoporosis fdaapproved

bone health research

What Are the Side Effects of Teriparatide?

Who Should Avoid It

Stop Right Away If You Notice

Milder Signs to Watch For

Is Teriparatide FDA approved?

Teriparatide Cycle Length: How Long Should It Last?

Teriparatide Research References

Related peptides