Analgesic effect of intranasal salmon calcitonin in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Spinal collapse is a painful complication of osteoporosis. In this study, the analgesic effect of salmon calcitonin, administered intranasally (200 IU per day), was assessed in 18 patients with acute collapse of one to four vertebrae. Pain was evaluated by a descriptive pain scale (ie, Keele's) as well as by the daily consumption of analgesic drugs. When compared with placebo, intranasal salmon calcitonin significantly relieved pain and occasioned a decrease in the consumption of analgesic drugs. No major side effects were reported by the patients under study.