What the studies show
Neither the lower nor the higher dose separated from placebo — the finding that made the 200 IU result hard to trust.
“The reductions in vertebral fractures in the 100-IU (RR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.60- to 1.21) and the 400-IU (RR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.59- to 1.18) groups were not significantly different from placebo.”
Several well-run randomised trials in people, pointing the same way. You can plan around this. It still says nothing about whether the effect is worth the side effects for you.
- 1Chesnut CH 3rd, Silverman S, Andriano K, et al. A randomized trial of nasal spray salmon calcitonin in postmenopausal women with established osteoporosis: the Prevent Recurrence Of Osteoporotic Fractures study (PROOF).Am J Med, 2000;109:267–2761,255 women, 5 years; 511 completed.
In context
Calcitonin is a thyroid hormone that lowers blood calcium by slowing bone breakdown; the salmon version, more potent than human, was sold for decades as an osteoporosis nasal spray. Its one large fracture trial found a 33% reduction in spinal fractures at the middle dose and none at the higher one. In 2012–2013 European and other regulators withdrew the nasal spray after meta-analyses found a small excess of cancers, leaving short-term injectable use for Paget's disease and hypercalcaemia.
Calcitonin (salmon) is approved (rx, restricted). Legal status differs by country — see the regulation section or the jurisdiction pages.
Questions
Is Calcitonin (salmon) proven to help with dose–response?
What studies are behind the grade?
Is Calcitonin (salmon) approved for this?
Other outcomes for Calcitonin (salmon)
- AVertebral fracture risk (osteoporosis, nasal spray)1 large RCT (n=1,255, 5 yr)
- BCancer risk (long-term use)adverseRegulatory meta-analyses of RCTs
- APaget's disease and acute hypercalcaemiaDecades of use; older trials
Written and maintained by LYO Research — how pages are written and checked. Reviewed 23 September 2026. Grades count human evidence only; see how LYO grades. Not medical advice. Correct this page →