Abaloparatide (Tymlos)
Abaloparatide (Tymlos) is a medicine approved for treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and in men. It contains a protein which is similar to parathyroid hormone and increases bone formation and density. Abaloparatide is an anabolic treatment for osteoporosis because it builds bone. In clinical trials, abaloparatide greatly reduced the chance of breaking a bone in post-menopausal women with osteoporosis.
How To Take It
Abaloparatide is a subcutaneous injection. It comes in a pen containing four weeks of medication and is injected under the skin of the stomach every day with a tiny needle. The site of your daily injection should change every day to reduce skin irritation. You should inject the medicine about the same time daily. Once the pen is used, it can remain outside of the refrigerator for the remaining doses but storing in the refrigerator is also acceptable.
To get the most benefit from use of abaloparatide, be sure to consume calcium-rich foods and/or take a calcium supplement. Total calcium intake from food and supplements should be at least 1200 mg per day. Also take vitamin D as recommended by your provider.
Side Effects
The most common side effect (58%) is redness where the medicine is injected. Up to 20% of people can get high blood or urine calcium levels from taking the drug. Within four hours of injecting the medicine, some people have low blood pressure or feel dizzy. If this happens, your provider might ask you to inject the medicine when sitting or lying down. Use of abaloparatide is limited to two years for safety and efficacy reasons.
Tell Your Rheumatology Provider
Please contact your provider if you get pregnant while taking abaloparatide, which should not be used during pregnancy.
Updated April 2025 by Rebecca Manno, MD, MHS, and reviewed by the American College of Rheumatology Communications and Marketing Committee.
This information is provided for general education only. Individuals should consult a qualified health care provider for professional medical advice, diagnosis and treatment of a medical or health condition.