Teriparatide
Also known as: Forteo, Bonsity, PTH (1-34)
Teriparatide (also called Forteo or Bonsity) is a research peptide in the PTH1 receptor agonist class. Teriparatide is recombinant human parathyroid hormone(1-34), the N-terminal fragment that carries the receptor-binding activity of the full hormone. It acts at the PTH1 receptor on osteoblasts.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 52232-67-4
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- 4117.8 g/mol
- Half-life
- ~1 hour (sc)
- FDA status
- Approved
- Administration Route
- Subcutaneous
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Last updated
- Aug 30, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
- Targets
- PTH1 receptor
Vendor price snapshot
Each vendor's price is the median price per mg of its own listings; with fewer than 3 vendors there is no typical range. From public vendor listings collected in Dec 2025, so confirm the live price on the vendor site. Peptide Library does not sell peptides.
- Vendors listing this peptide
- 1
- Listed offers
- 2
- Price per mg
- $24.75/mg
Research summary
FDA-approved PTH(1–34) anabolic agent (Forteo/Bonsity) for osteoporosis at high fracture risk. 20 mcg SC daily; cumulative use generally ≤2 years.
Peptide Library's Teriparatide profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Protocol
- Dosage Range
- 20 mcg daily
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Cycle
- Maximum 2 years of treatment
- Administration Route
- Subcutaneous
- Reconstitution Guide
- Prefilled pen - no reconstitution needed
- Injection Sites
- ThighAbdomen
- Concentration Example
- Pre-filled pen: 20 mcg per dose (delivers 20 mcg in 80 mcL)
- Timing Notes
- Inject subcutaneously in thigh or abdomen, preferably at same time each day
- Expected Onset
- Bone density improvements typically seen within 6-12 months
Not yet checked against primary sources
These figures are compiled from earlier reference material. They have not been verified against FDA labelling, registered trials or published literature, no citation is attached to them, and none of them is a recommended dose. Teriparatide is queued for dosage evidence review.
Compare reported doses across the whole librarySequence & molecular data
| Molecular formula | C181H291N55O51S2 |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 4117.8 g/mol |
| CAS number | 52232-67-4 |
| Half-life | ~1 hour (sc) |
| Appearance | Sterile solution in prefilled pen |
| Formulation | Prefilled Pen |
| PubChem CID | 16133850 |
| FDA UNII | 10T9CSU89I |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Teriparatide is recombinant human parathyroid hormone(1-34), the N-terminal fragment that carries the receptor-binding activity of the full hormone. It acts at the PTH1 receptor on osteoblasts. The critical variable is exposure pattern rather than dose: continuous elevation of parathyroid hormone, as in hyperparathyroidism, favours RANKL-driven osteoclastic resorption and net bone loss, whereas brief daily peaks increase osteoblast number and survival and produce net bone formation. Intermittent once-daily dosing exploits that anabolic window. It is one of the few osteoporosis treatments that builds new bone rather than inhibiting its removal, and the effect declines after treatment stops unless followed by an antiresorptive.
Origin
Recombinant PTH(1–34).
Targets
Studies
- Efficacy and safety of teriparatide vs. bisphosphonates and denosumab vs. bisphosphonates in osteoporosis not previously treated with bisphosphonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Denosumab and teriparatide transitions in postmenopausal osteoporosis (the DATA-Switch study): extension of a randomised controlled trial
- PTH1 receptor agonists for fracture risk: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
- Teriparatide (forteo) for osteoporsis
- Off-Label Use of Teriparatide in Spine
Regulatory & research status
Teriparatide is an FDA-approved product for specific labelled indications. Approval does not extend to the research contexts described on this page, and approved products are prescription medicines.
| FDA status | Approved |
|---|---|
| Availability | Prescription-Only |
| WADA (sport) | Permitted |
| Library classification | FDA-Approved |
Benefits
Teriparatide side effects
Side Effects
- Hypercalcemia
- Nausea
- Leg cramps
- Orthostasis
Storage & stability
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder is far more stable than the reconstituted solution. Keep sealed vials cold, dry and away from light; long-term storage is typically frozen, with short-term refrigeration for vials in use.
Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated, avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles and agitation, and label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration. Discard any solution that turns cloudy or shows particulates.
Degradation rates differ by sequence: peptides containing methionine, cysteine, asparagine or glutamine are more prone to oxidation and deamidation, so shelf life after reconstitution is compound-specific rather than universal.
Read the full guide: how to store peptides before and after reconstitution →
Source: Manning MC, Chou DK, Murphy BM, Payne RW, Katayama DS. Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update. Pharm Res. 2010;27(4):544–575. (PMID 20143256). General guidance for research handling; not product-specific instructions.
Teriparatide: frequently asked questions
What is Teriparatide?
FDA-approved PTH(1–34) anabolic agent (Forteo/Bonsity) for osteoporosis at high fracture risk. 20 mcg SC daily; cumulative use generally ≤2 years.
How does Teriparatide work?
Teriparatide is recombinant human parathyroid hormone(1-34), the N-terminal fragment that carries the receptor-binding activity of the full hormone. It acts at the PTH1 receptor on osteoblasts.
Is Teriparatide FDA approved?
Yes. Teriparatide is approved by the FDA, and approved products are prescription medicines. Approval is always for specific indications studied in clinical trials, so an approved status does not mean the compound is approved for every use it is discussed for. Research-chemical material sold under the same name is not the approved product.
What is the half-life of Teriparatide?
Reported half-life for Teriparatide is ~1 hour (sc). Half-life describes how long the compound persists in circulation, not how long any effect lasts, and published figures vary with route of administration, formulation and the population studied.
Is Teriparatide banned in sport?
Teriparatide is recorded here as permitted in sport. Anti-doping status is revised annually, so athletes subject to testing should confirm against the current WADA Prohibited List before use.
What peptides are similar to Teriparatide?
Compounds most often compared with Teriparatide include Abaloparatide, PTH(1-34) Analog (Generic Teriparatide) and Bivalirudin. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- FDA label — ForteoExternal reference
- Efficacy and safety of teriparatide vs. bisphosphonates and denosumab vs. bisphosphonates in osteoporosis not previously treated with bisphosphonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials — Arch Osteoporos, 2024External reference
- Denosumab and teriparatide transitions in postmenopausal osteoporosis (the DATA-Switch study): extension of a randomised controlled trial — Lancet, 2015External reference
- PTH1 receptor agonists for fracture risk: a systematic review and network meta-analysis — Osteoporos Int, 2025External reference
- Teriparatide (forteo) for osteoporsis — Med Lett Drugs Ther, 2003External reference
- Off-Label Use of Teriparatide in Spine — Cureus, 2021External reference
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Aug 30, 2026 · Version 1
This Teriparatide profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled · Report an error
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