Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
post
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
post
Jump To

Tymlos

  • Generic Name: abaloparatide injection
  • Brand Name: Tymlos
  • Drug Class: Parathyroid Hormone Analogs
Reviewed by Medsayfa.com Last updated April 15, 2023

Patient Information

TYMLOS®
(tim lows’)
(abaloparatide) injection, for subcutaneous use

What is the most important information I should know about TYMLOS?

TYMLOS may cause serious side effects including:

  • Possible bone cancer (osteosarcoma). During animal drug testing, the medicine in TYMLOS caused some rats to develop a bone cancer called osteosarcoma. It is not known if people who take TYMLOS will have a higher chance of getting osteosarcoma.
    • Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have pain in your bones, pain in any areas of your body that does not go away, or any new or unusual lumps or swelling under your skin that is tender to touch.

What is TYMLOS?

TYMLOS is a prescription medicine used to:

  • treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women who are at high risk for bone fracture, or who cannot use another osteoporosis treatment or other osteoporosis treatments did not work well. TYMLOS can decrease the chance of having a fracture of the spine and other bones in postmenopausal women with thinning and weakening bones (osteoporosis)
  • increase bone density in men with osteoporosis who are at high risk for bone fracture, or who cannot use another osteoporosis treatment or other osteoporosis treatments did not work well

It is not known if TYMLOS is safe and effective for children 18 years and younger. TYMLOS should not be used in children and young adults whose bones are still growing.

It is not recommended that people use TYMLOS for more than 2 years during their lifetime.

Do not take TYMLOS:

  • if you had an allergic reaction to abaloparatide, or any of the other ingredients in TYMLOS. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in TYMLOS.

Before you take TYMLOS, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have Paget’s disease of the bone or other bone disease.
  • have or have had cancer in your bones.
  • have or have had radiation therapy involving your bones.
  • have or have had too much calcium in your blood.
  • have or have had an increase in your parathyroid hormone (hyperparathyroidism).
  • will have trouble injecting yourself with the TYMLOS pen and do not have someone who can help you.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TYMLOS is not for pregnant women.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TYMLOS passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take TYMLOS or breastfeed. You should not do both.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider or pharmacist each time you get a new medicine.

How should I use TYMLOS?

  • Read the detailed Instructions for Use provided with your medicine.
  • Use TYMLOS exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.
  • Do not try to inject TYMLOS yourself until you or your caregiver receive training from a healthcare provider on the right way to use the TYMLOS pen.
  • You should receive your first several injections of TYMLOS where you can sit or lie down, if necessary, until you know how it affects you.
  • Inject TYMLOS 1 time each day into your lower stomach area (abdomen) just under your skin (subcutaneous). Avoid giving your injection within the 2-inch area around your belly button (navel).
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about how to change (rotate) your injection site for each injection. Do not give TYMLOS in your veins (intravenously) or deep into your muscles (intramuscularly).
  • You can take TYMLOS with or without food or drink.
  • Take TYMLOS at about the same time each day.
  • If you forget or cannot take TYMLOS at your usual time, take it as soon as you can on that day.
  • The TYMLOS pen has enough medicine for 30 days. It is set to give 1 dose of medicine with each injection. Do not take more than 1 injection in the same day.
  • Do not transfer the medicine from the TYMLOS pen to a syringe. This can cause you to use the wrong dose of TYMLOS. If you do not have pen needles to use with your TYMLOS pen, talk with your healthcare provider.
  • Do not share your TYMLOS pen or pen needles with other people, even if the needle has been changed. You may give other people a serious infection or get a serious infection from them.
  • TYMLOS should look clear and colorless. Do not use TYMLOS if it has particles in it, or if it is cloudy or colored.
  • Your healthcare provider may do blood and urine tests during your treatment with TYMLOS.
  • Your healthcare provider may ask you to have a bone mineral density test after your treatment with TYMLOS.
  • If you take more TYMLOS than prescribed you may have symptoms such as muscle weakness, low energy, headache, nausea, dizziness (especially when getting up after sitting for a while), and a faster heartbeat. Stop taking TYMLOS and call your healthcare provider right away.
  • You should not use TYMLOS for more than 2 years over your lifetime.
  • If your healthcare provider recommends calcium and vitamin D supplements, you can take them while using TYMLOS.

What are the possible side effects of TYMLOS?

TYMLOS may cause serious side effects including:

  • See “What is the most important information I should know about TYMLOS?”
  • Decrease in blood pressure when you change positions. Some people may feel dizzy, have a faster heartbeat, or feel lightheaded soon after the TYMLOS injection is given. These symptoms generally go away within a few hours. Take your injections of TYMLOS in a place where you can sit or lie down right away if you get these symptoms. If your symptoms get worse or do not go away, stop taking TYMLOS and call your healthcare provider.
  • Increased blood calcium (hypercalcemia). TYMLOS can cause some people to have a higher blood calcium level than normal. Your healthcare provider may check your blood calcium before you start and during your treatment with TYMLOS. Tell your healthcare provider if you have nausea, vomiting, constipation, low energy, or muscle weakness. These may be signs there is too much calcium in your blood.
  • Increased urine calcium (hypercalciuria). TYMLOS can cause some people to have higher levels of calcium in their urine than normal. Increased calcium may also cause you to develop kidney stones (urolithiasis) in your kidneys, bladder, or urinary tract. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any symptoms of kidney stones which may include pain in your lower back or lower stomach area, pain when you urinate, or blood in your urine.

The most common side effects of TYMLOS in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis include:

  • dizziness
  • fast heartbeat
  • upper stomach pain
  • nausea
  • feeling tired (fatigue)
  • spinning feeling (vertigo)
  • headache

The most common side effects of TYMLOS in men with osteoporosis include:

  • redness at injection site
  • pain at injection site
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • bruising
  • abdominal pain
  • joint pain
  • abdominal bloating
  • bone pain
  • swelling at injection site
  • diarrhea

These are not all the possible side effects of TYMLOS. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store TYMLOS?

  • Before first use, store TYMLOS pens in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
  • After first use, store your TYMLOS pen for up to 30 days at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
  • Do not freeze the TYMLOS pen or expose it to heat.
  • Do not use TYMLOS after the expiration date printed on the pen and packaging.
  • Throw away the TYMLOS pen after 30 days even if some medicine is left in the pen (see “Instructions for Use”). Keep TYMLOS and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about the safe and effective use of TYMLOS.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use TYMLOS for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give TYMLOS to other people, even if they have the same condition you have. It may harm them.

You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about TYMLOS that is written for health professionals.

What are the ingredients in TYMLOS?

Active ingredient: abaloparatide

Inactive ingredients: phenol, sodium acetate trihydrate, acetic acid, and water for injection.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

TYMLOS™
(tim lows’) (abaloparatide) injection, for subcutaneous use

Instructions for Use

Read and follow this Instructions for Use so that you inject TYMLOS pen the right way. Call your healthcare provider if you have any questions about the right way to inject the TYMLOS pen.

Important information about your TYMLOS pen

    • Do not try to inject TYMLOS yourself until you or your caregiver receive training from a healthcare provider on the right way to use TYMLOS pen.
  • Do not share your TYMLOS pen or pen needles with other people, even if the needle has been changed. You may give other people a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them.
  • Each TYMLOS pen is a prefilled pen containing 30 doses of TYMLOS. Each dose will contain 80 mcg of TYMLOS. You do not have to measure your dose. The pen measures each dose of TYMLOS for you.
  • Use a new pen needle for each injection. Keep the cap on the TYMLOS pen when not using the pen.
  • Before using the pen always check the label to be sure it is your TYMLOS pen.
  • Do not use your TYMLOS pen if it looks damaged. If you drop your TYMLOS pen or it becomes damaged, call your healthcare provider or pharmacist or call 1-855-672-3487.
  • To clean your TYMLOS pen, wipe the outside of the pen with a clean, damp cloth, if needed.
  • The TYMLOS pen is not recommended for use by the blind or visually impaired without the help of a person trained in the right way to use the pen.

Pen needles to use with your TYMLOS pen

  • Pen needles are not included with your TYMLOS pen. You will need a prescription from your healthcare provider to get pen needles from your pharmacy.
  • The correct needles to use with your TYMLOS pen are 5 to 8 mm, 31-gauge needles. Compatible needles include Clickfine®, BD Ultra-Fine™, MedtFine®, Easy Comfort, Clever Choice™ Comfort EZ™, and SureComfort™. If you are not sure what type of needle to use, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Supplies you will need for each injection using your TYMLOS pen

  • 1 TYMLOS pen
  • 1 pen needle
  • 1 alcohol swab
  • 1 cotton ball or gauze pad
  • 1 sharps disposal container for pen needles and TYMLOS pens. See “How should I throw away (dispose) of the pen needles and TYMLOS pens?” in the far right column.

How should I store the TYMLOS pen?

  • Before first use, store TYMLOS pens in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
  • Do not store pens with the needle attached.
  • Do not freeze the TYMLOS pen or expose it to heat.

During 30 days of use:

  • After first use, store the TYMLOS pen for up to 30 days at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
  • Keep the pen cap on your TYMLOS pen when storing. Do not store the TYMLOS pen with needle attached.
  • Use your TYMLOS pen for only 30 days.
  • Write down the date of your first use of TYMLOS here: _______/_______/_______. Throw away your TYMLOS pen 30 days after first opening it even if it still contains unused medicine.

Keep the TYMLOS pen, pen needles and all medicines out of the reach of children.

 

Parts of the TYMLOS pen - Illustration

 

How should I throw away (dispose) of the pen needles and TYMLOS pens?

  • Throw away (dispose of) your TYMLOS pen, in a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container or puncture resistant container, 30 days after first opening it even if it still contains unused medicine.
  • Put your used pen needles in a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right away after use. Do not throw away (dispose of) your used sharps disposal container in your household trash.
  • If you do not have a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that is:
    • made of a heavy-duty plastic,
    • can be closed with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid, without sharps being able to come out,
    • upright and stable during use,
    • leak-resistant, and properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container.
  • When your sharps disposal container is almost full, you will need to follow your community guidelines for the right way to dispose of your sharps disposal container. There may be state or local laws about how you should throw away used needles, syringes, and prefilled syringes.
  • For more information about safe sharps disposal, and for specific information about sharps disposal in the state that you live in, go to FDA’s website at: https://www.fda.gov/safesharpsdisposal.
  • Do not dispose of your used sharps disposal container in your household trash unless your community guidelines permit this. Do not recycle your used sharps disposal container.

For more information about the TYMLOS pen

For more information, go to www.TYMLOS.com or call 1-855-672-3487.

Begin the injection.

Check the TYMLOS™ pen

Step 1. Wash and dry your hands.

Step 2. Check the expiration date (Exp.) on the TYMLOS pen.

  • Do not use the pen if the expiration date has passed.
  • Call your healthcare provider or pharmacist if the expiration date has passed.

Attach pen needle to your TYMLOS pen

Step 3. Pull off the pen cap from your TYMLOS pen. (See Figure D.)

  • Check the TYMLOS cartridge. The liquid should be clear, colorless, and free of particles; if not, do not use.

 

Pull off the pen cap from your TYMLOS pen - Illustration

 

Step 4. Pull off the protective paper from the outer needle cap of your pen needle. (See Figure E.)

 

Pull off the protective
paper from the outer needle cap of your pen needle - Illustration

 

Step 5. Keep the needle straight and screw it onto the pen until fixed; a secure fit is ensured even if there is no noticeable stop. Do not over-tighten. (See Figure F.)

 

 Keep the needle straight
and screw it onto the pen until fixed; a secure fit is ensured even if there is
no noticeable stop - Illustration

 

Step 6. Pull off the outer pen needle cap from the pen needle and keep it to use after your injection. (See Figure G.)

 

Pull off the outer pen
needle cap from the pen needle and keep it to use after your injection - Illustration

 

Step 7. Carefully pull off the inner pen needle cap and dispose of it. (See Figure H.)

 

Carefully pull off the inner
pen needle cap and dispose of it - Illustration

 

Step 8. If you are using this pen for the first time, go to the “New pen setup -Day 1 Only” section to prime your pen.

  • If you have already used this pen before, go to Step 13 for Days 2 through 30.

New pen setup – Day 1 Only (Priming your TYMLOS pen)

 

If you have already used this
pen before, go to Step 13 for Days 2 through 30 - Illustration

 

Do not repeat new pen setup on Days 2 through 30.

Step 9. The “New pen setup” removes air bubbles (primes your pen). You only need to prime your pen on Day 1 for each new pen. Otherwise, you will waste medicine.

  • Skip Steps 10 through 12 on Days 2 through 30.

Step 10. Turn the dose knob on your TYMLOS pen away from you (clockwise) until it stops. (See Figure I.)

Note: You will see “ • 80 ” lined up in the dose display window.

 

Turn the dose knob on your TYMLOS pen
away from you - Illustration

 

Step 11. Hold the TYMLOS pen with the pen needle pointing up. Tap lightly with your finger on the cartridge holder to move any air bubbles in the cartridge to the top of the cartridge. (See Figure J.)

Note: Do Step 11 even if you do not see air bubbles.

 

Hold the TYMLOS pen with
the pen needle pointing up - Illustration

 

Step 12. Press the green injection button until it will not go any further. (See Figure K).

Note: You should see liquid come out of the needle tip.

Note: You will see “•0” lined up in the dose display window.

 

Press the green injection button until it
will not go any further - Illustration

 

What should I do if liquid does not come out of the needle tip?

  • If you do not see a drop of TYMLOS, repeat Steps 10 through 12. A drop of liquid should come out of the needle tip.
  • If you still do not see a drop of liquid call your healthcare provider or pharmacist and use a new TYMLOS pen.
  • When you are ready to use your new TYMLOS pen for the first time, remember to repeat all Steps 9 through 12 to prime your new TYMLOS pen.

Set the dose on your TYMLOS pen

Do not push the green injection button while setting your dose.

Step 13. Turn the dose knob on your pen away from you (clockwise) until the dose knob stops and “•80”

is lined up in the dose display window. (See Figure L.)

 

Turn the dose knob on
your pen away from you (clockwise) until the dose knob stops and “•80” - Illustration

 

If you set the dose before you are ready to give your injection, turn the dose knob toward you (counter­ clockwise) until “•0” is in the dose display window.

If you are not able to set the TYMLOS pen to “•80”, dispose of the pen and use a new TYMLOS pen for your injection, repeating Steps 1 through 13.

  • If the pen cannot be set to “•80”, there is not enough medicine in the TYMLOS pen for your full dose. See “How should I throw away (dispose) of the pen needles and TYMLOS pens?” on the other side.

Choose and clean your injection site

Step 14. Injections should be given in the lower stomach area (abdomen). (See Figure M.) Avoid the 2­inch area around your belly button (navel).

For each injection, change (rotate) your injection site around your abdomen. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to change (rotate) your injection site for each injection. Do not use the same injection area for each injection. Do not inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, scaly, or hard. Avoid areas with scars or stretch marks.

 

Injections should be
given in the lower stomach area (abdomen) - Illustration

 

Step 15. Wipe the injection site with an alcohol swab and allow it to dry. Do not touch, fan, or blow on the injection site after you have cleaned it.

Giving your TYMLOS pen injection

Read Step 16 and Step 17 before you give your injection.

Inject your TYMLOS pen the way your healthcare provider has shown you.

Step 16. (See Figure N.)

  • Hold the pen so you can see the dose display window during the injection.
  • Insert the pen needle straight into your skin.

 

Hold the pen so you can see the dose display window
during the injection - Illustration

 

Step 17. (See Figure O.)

  • Press the green injection button until it cannot go any further and “•0” is in the dose display window. Do not move the TYMLOS pen after inserting the needle.
  • Continue to press the green injection button while counting to 10. Counting to 10 will allow the full dose of TYMLOS to be given.

 

Press the green injection button until it cannot go any
further and “•0”
is in the dose display window. Do not move the TYMLOS
pen after inserting the needle - Illustration

 

Step 18. After counting to 10, release your finger from the green injection button and slowly remove the TYMLOS pen from the injection site by pulling the pen needle straight out.

Remove the pen needle

Step 19. Carefully place the outer needle cap back on the pen needle. Press on the outer needle cap until it snaps into place and is secure. (See Figure P.)

 

Carefully place the outer
needle cap back on the pen needle - Illustration

 

Caution: To prevent needle stick injury, carefully follow Step 20.

Step 20. Unscrew the capped needle (like unscrewing a cap from a bottle). To unscrew the capped needle you may need to turn it 8 or more turns and then gently pull until the capped needle comes off. (See Figure Q.)

 

Unscrew the capped needle (like
unscrewing a cap from a bottle) - Illustration

 

Note: Do not push on the outer needle cap while unscrewing the needle. You should see a gap widening between the outer needle cap and the pen as you unscrew the needle. (See Figure R.)

 

Do not push on the outer
needle cap while unscrewing the needle - Illustration

 

Replace pen cap

Step 21. Firmly replace the pen cap onto the TYMLOS pen. (See Figure S.)

Keep the pen cap on your TYMLOS pen between injections.

 

Firmly replace the pen
cap onto the TYMLOS pen - Illustration

 

After your injection

Step 22. Press a cotton ball or gauze pad over the injection site and hold for 10 seconds. Do not rub the injection site. You may have slight bleeding. This is normal.

You may cover the injection site with a small adhesive bandage, if needed.

  • Dispose of the pen needle. See “How should I throw away (dispose) of the pen needles and TYMLOS pens?” .

This Instructions for Use has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Read Next Article