Two medicines, side by side
Alendronate vs calcitonin salmon
Alendronate and calcitonin salmon are both labeled for osteoporosis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of alendronate since 1995 and of calcitonin salmon since 1978. Pharmacies paid $0.256 per alendronate sodium 70 mg tablet and $13.10 per mL (Calcitonin-salmon 200 unit spr) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, alendronate is a bisphosphonate and calcitonin salmon a calcitonin.
Check it at the source: the alendronate FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 12, 2026); the calcitonin salmon FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 15, 2024).
Highlights of the alendronate record
Alendronate (Fosamax) · label of March 12, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsFOSAMAX is a bisphosphonate indicated for: Treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women ( 1.1 , 1.2 ) Treatment to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis ( 1.3 ) Treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis ( 1.4 ) Treatment of Paget's disease of bone ( 1.5 ) Limitations of use: Optimal duration of use has not been determined. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 29, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 16 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.256 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the calcitonin salmon record
Calcitonin salmon (Miacalcin) · label of September 15, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsMiacalcin synthetic injection is a calcitonin, indicated for the following conditions: • Treatment of symptomatic Paget’s disease of bone when alternative treatments are not suitable ( 1.1 ) • Treatment of hypercalcemia ( 1.2 ) • Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis when alternative treatments are not suitable. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 17, 1978
- Generic labelers
- 10 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $13.10 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Alendronate label of March 12, 2026, Calcitonin salmon label of September 15, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do alendronate and calcitonin salmon differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, alendronate is a bisphosphonate and calcitonin salmon a calcitonin.
How each works, in its label's words: Alendronate, “Animal studies have indicated the following mode of action.”; Calcitonin salmon, “Calcitonin salmon is a calcitonin receptor agonist.”
Generics: alendronate since 2008; calcitonin salmon since 2008 (Drugs@FDA).
| Alendronate | Calcitonin salmon | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoporosis | Osteoporosis |
| Pharmacologic class | Bisphosphonate | Calcitonin |
| How it works (label) | Animal studies have indicated the following mode of action. At the cellular level, alendronate shows preferential localization to sites of bone resorption, specifically under osteoclasts. | Calcitonin salmon is a calcitonin receptor agonist. Calcitonin salmon acts primarily on bone, but direct renal effects and actions on the gastro-intestinal tract are also recognized. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The terminal half-life is approximately 58 minutes for intramuscular administration and 59 to 64 minutes for subcutaneous administration. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 29, 1995 | April 17, 1978 |
| First generic approved | February 6, 2008 | November 17, 2008 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 16 labelers | 10 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.256 per tablet (Alendronate sodium 70 mg tablet) | $13.10 per mL (Calcitonin-salmon 200 unit spr) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | +13% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 100,325 | 3,109 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to alendronate
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions