Let's take a minute to talk about your medication. 

This is Forteo. It treats osteoporosis in men and women who are at high risk for bone fracture. 

Forteo is given as an injection under your skin in the thigh or lower stomach area. Your doctor will teach you how to give an injection. You should also read the User Manual. Before giving an injection at home, you should demonstrate an injection to your doctor, so you feel confident. If you have any questions, your doctor or pharmacist can help. 

You should use Forteo once daily at the same time each day, unless your doctor says otherwise. You should store the Forteo pen in the refrigerator, and inject your dose right after you take it out of the refrigerator. When your dose is finished, you should remove the needle, recap the pen, and place it back in the refrigerator promptly. 

Common side effects can occur with this medicine, such as nausea, achy joints or pain. Sometimes a dose can make people feel faint or dizzy, or have a fast heartbeat. You should make sure you can sit or lie down right away if this happens, and you will need to take it easy for at least 4 hours after your dose. You should let your doctor know if you have these or other side effects. 

As with any medicine, rare but serious side effects can occur. With Forteo, these include allergic reactions and too much calcium in your blood. You should read the Medication Guide for more information. To help keep this medicine safe for you, your doctor will follow you closely. 

Women should talk to their doctors before becoming pregnant or breastfeeding. 

For best results with your Forteo, follow your doctor's advice about other actions you can take to  help manage your osteoporosis.