Comparison Centre
Two compounds, the same questions, no cherry-picking
Marketing compares compounds on whichever measure flatters them. This compares them on the same fields every time — including the awkward ones like how much human safety data exists. Every score here rates the evidence, not the compound: a higher number means stronger or more mature research, not that something is safer or works better.
Sharing keeps the two compounds you picked.
How to read these scores
Every number here rates the evidence, not the compound. They are editorial 0-100 strength ratings, not percentages, and not a rating out of five stars.
- Human efficacy evidence strength — Higher = more and better-quality human evidence. It does not mean the effect is bigger or that the compound works for you.
- Preclinical evidence strength — Higher = more animal, tissue or cell research. Preclinical results are a starting point, not proof of a human benefit.
- Human safety evidence strength — Higher = more mature, better-documented human safety data. It does not mean the compound is safer than one with a lower number. A score of 80 does not mean “80% safe”.
- Evidence level (L0-L5) — the strongest type of study behind the compound, from anecdote (L0) to large replicated human trials (L5). It is a description of the study evidence, not a quality, safety or recommendation rating.
- Confidence — how likely we think it is that this rating changes as new research lands. Low confidence means the picture is unsettled, not that the compound is bad.
None of these ratings is medical advice, a safety guarantee, or a recommendation to use anything. How we grade evidence.
Calcitonin (salmon)
A salmon-derived hormone peptide once common in bone disease, now used more narrowly after regulators weighed modest benefit against a debated malignancy signal.
Teriparatide
A parathyroid-hormone fragment that builds bone — one of the few anabolic osteoporosis treatments.
How far human research has progressed
Calcitonin (salmon)
Established medicine with a narrowed modern roleTeriparatide
Long-approved osteoporosis medicineClaim-specific benefit evidence
A human exposure study or trial registration does not establish that the claimed benefit occurs.
Calcitonin (salmon)
Not separately assessed; see the full profile.Teriparatide
Not separately assessed; see the full profile.Human research context
Calcitonin (salmon)
Established medicine with a narrowed modern roleTeriparatide
Long-approved osteoporosis medicineHuman efficacy evidence strength
Higher = more and better-quality human evidence. It does not mean the effect is bigger or that the compound works for you.
Calcitonin (salmon)
Teriparatide
Preclinical (animal / lab) evidence strength
Higher = more animal, tissue or cell research. Preclinical results are a starting point, not proof of a human benefit.
Calcitonin (salmon)
Teriparatide
Human safety evidence strength
Higher = more mature, better-documented human safety data. It does not mean the compound is safer than one with a lower number.
Calcitonin (salmon)
Teriparatide
Regulatory status (legal position, not proof it works)
Calcitonin (salmon)
Named regulators: FDA (US), European regulators
Approved formulations have included injectable products (e.g. for Paget's disease and hypercalcaemia) and nasal spray products (for postmenopausal osteoporosis in women at least five years past menopause when alternatives are unsuitable). Availability and indications vary by product and market; European regulators restricted uses after a 2012 safety review.
Teriparatide
Named regulators: FDA (US)
Approved for osteoporosis in patients at high fracture risk, with indications varying by label and region. Indication-specific.
Common claims
Calcitonin (salmon)
- · Slows bone loss in postmenopausal osteoporosis
- · Treats Paget's disease and high blood calcium
Teriparatide
- · Reduces fracture risk in high-risk osteoporosis
- · Builds new bone rather than only slowing loss
How settled our evidence rating is
Calcitonin (salmon)
Teriparatide
Cancer-related questions raised by the biology
These are theoretical or monitored questions raised by how a compound works. They are not evidence that it causes cancer.
Calcitonin (salmon)
A documented regulatory review found a small numerical imbalance in malignancy rates in long-term trials of calcitonin-salmon products; causality was not established. This is observed-trial-data discussion, not a purely mechanistic concern.Teriparatide
Rat studies found osteosarcoma at exposures far above human dosing, driving precautionary labelling. Post-marketing surveillance in humans has not established the same risk, but the precaution shapes how the drug is used.What this adds up to, in plain English
Calcitonin (salmon)
Real controlled human trials exist, but questions about approval, how long benefits last, or long-term safety are still open.Teriparatide
Repeated large human trials support specific uses in the groups studied. That is strong evidence something works there — not proof it suits everyone or is free of risk.A comparison is not a recommendation