Human calcitonin treatment of Paget's disease of bone.

Human calcitonin has proven to be an effective drug in the management of Paget's disease. Bone pain decreased in a high percentage of cases and biochemical indices improved in all but a few instances. Radiologic regression of the disease often was seen after several years of treatment. The drug has been uniformly effective when administered to patients who have develped resistance to porcine or salmon calcitonin due to circulating antibodies. The incidence of side effects, mainly facial flushing and nausea, was variable and uncommonly resulted in discontinuation of treatment. Further studies are required to establish the minimum effective dose.