What's on this Page
Corticotropin ACTH Brand Names
Acthar | H.P. Acthar
What is Corticotropin ACTH
Corticotropin ACTH is a parenteral preparation of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
Corticotropin is a hormone naturally secreted by cells in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; corticotropin for commercial use is a highly purified sterile product extracted from the pituitary glands of pigs. In some situations, cosyntropin, a synthetic polypeptide containing the same first 24 amino acid sequence as natural corticotropin and with less antigenicity, has replaced corticotropin, primarily as an aid in the diagnosis of adrenocortical insufficiency.
Due to its anti-inflammatory effects, immunosuppressant properties, and effects on blood and lymphatic systems, corticotropin has been used as palliative treatment in conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
Corticotropin should not be used to treat primary adrenocortical insufficiency or congenital adrenogenital syndrome because it has been shown to be ineffective.
Corticotropin was initially approved by the FDA in 1950.
The drug is indicated for numerous autoimmune, allergic, and inflammatory conditions; however, the corticotropin repository injection is most commonly used in adult patients for multiple sclerosis; other indications are usually treated with prednisone, methylprednisolone or more commonly used systemic corticosteroids.
Corticotropin received FDA approval in October 2010 for the treatment of infantile spasms in infants and children less than 2 years of age.
Indications
- ankylosing spondylitis
- anterior segment inflammation
- chorioretinitis
- dermatomyositis
- erythema multiforme
- infantile spasms
- iritis
- juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)/juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
- keratitis
- multiple sclerosis
- nephrotic syndrome
- optic neuritis
- polymyositis
- proteinuria
- psoriatic arthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- sarcoidosis
- serum sickness
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Side Effects
- acne vulgaris
- amenorrhea
- anaphylactic shock
- anorexia
- appetite stimulation
- avascular necrosis
- bone fractures
- candidiasis
- cataracts
- constipation
- Cushing’s syndrome
- depression
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- dyspepsia
- ecchymosis
- EEG changes
- emotional lability
- erythema
- esophagitis
- euphoria
- exophthalmos
- fever
- headache
- heart failure
- hirsutism
- hyperglycemia
- hyperhidrosis
- hypernatremia
- hypertension
- hypocalcemia
- hypokalemia
- hypophosphatemia
- hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) suppression
- impaired wound healing
- infection
- injection site reaction
- insomnia
- intracranial bleeding
- irritability
- menstrual irregularity
- metabolic alkalosis
- myalgia
- myopathy
- nasal congestion
- nausea
- ocular hypertension
- osteoporosis
- pancreatitis
- papilledema
- petechiae
- pruritus
- pseudotumor cerebri
- psychosis
- rash
- scarlatiniform exanthema
- seizures
- skin atrophy
- skin hyperpigmentation
- sodium retention
- subdural hematoma
- urticaria
- vasculitis
- vertigo
- vomiting
- weakness
- weight gain
- wheezing
- withdrawal
Monitoring Parameters
- blood glucose
- blood pressure
- serum cortisol
- serum electrolytes
Contraindications
- adrenal insufficiency
- breast-feeding
- cardiac disease
- children
- corticosteroid hypersensitivity
- Cushing’s syndrome
- diabetes mellitus
- diverticulitis
- fungal infection
- geriatric
- heart failure
- herpes infection
- hypercortisolism
- hypernatremia
- hypertension
- hypokalemia
- hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) suppression
- hypothyroidism
- infants
- infection
- intravenous administration
- myasthenia gravis
- neonates
- ocular infection
- osteoporosis
- peptic ulcer disease
- porcine protein hypersensitivity
- postmenopausal females
- pregnancy
- psychosis
- renal impairment
- scleroderma
- seizure disorder
- surgery
- thromboembolic disease
- tuberculosis
- ulcerative colitis
- vaccination
Interactions
- Abatacept
- Acetaminophen; Aspirin, ASA; Caffeine
- Acetaminophen; Caffeine; Magnesium Salicylate; Phenyltoloxamine
- Acetaminophen; Caffeine; Phenyltoloxamine; Salicylamide
- Acetaminophen; Chlorpheniramine; Dextromethorphan; Phenylephrine
- Acetaminophen; Chlorpheniramine; Phenylephrine; Phenyltoloxamine
- Acetaminophen; Dextromethorphan; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine
- Acetaminophen; Dextromethorphan; Phenylephrine
- Acetaminophen; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine
- Acetazolamide
- Acetohexamide
- Adalimumab
- Albiglutide
- Aldesleukin, IL-2
- Alemtuzumab
- Aliskiren; Amlodipine; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Aliskiren; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Alogliptin; Metformin
- Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitors
- Altretamine
- Ambenonium Chloride
- Amifampridine
- Amiloride; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Aminolevulinic Acid
- Aminosalicylate sodium, Aminosalicylic acid
- Amlodipine; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Olmesartan
- Amlodipine; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Valsartan
- Amphotericin B
- Amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex (ABCD)
- Amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC)
- Amphotericin B liposomal (LAmB)
- Antithymocyte Globulin
- Antitumor antibiotics
- Argatroban
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi
- Aspirin, ASA
- Aspirin, ASA; Butalbital; Caffeine
- Aspirin, ASA; Butalbital; Caffeine; Codeine
- Aspirin, ASA; Caffeine; Dihydrocodeine
- Aspirin, ASA; Caffeine; Orphenadrine
- Aspirin, ASA; Carisoprodol
- Aspirin, ASA; Carisoprodol; Codeine
- Aspirin, ASA; Citric Acid; Sodium Bicarbonate
- Aspirin, ASA; Dipyridamole
- Aspirin, ASA; Omeprazole
- Aspirin, ASA; Oxycodone
- Aspirin, ASA; Pravastatin
- Atenolol; Chlorthalidone
- Atracurium
- Atropine; Benzoic Acid; Hyoscyamine; Methenamine; Methylene Blue; Phenyl Salicylate
- Azathioprine
- Azilsartan; Chlorthalidone
- Basiliximab
- Benazepril; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Bendroflumethiazide; Nadolol
- Benzoic Acid; Hyoscyamine; Methenamine; Methylene Blue; Phenyl Salicylate
- Bepridil
- Bismuth Subsalicylate
- Bismuth Subsalicylate; Metronidazole; Tetracycline
- Bisoprolol; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Bivalirudin
- Bortezomib
- Brompheniramine; Carbetapentane; Phenylephrine
- Bupropion
- Bupropion; Naltrexone
- Calcium Carbonate
- Calcium Carbonate; Magnesium Hydroxide
- Calcium Carbonate; Risedronate
- Calcium Carbonate; Simethicone
- Canagliflozin
- Canagliflozin; Metformin
- Candesartan; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Captopril; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Carbetapentane; Chlorpheniramine; Phenylephrine
- Carbetapentane; Diphenhydramine; Phenylephrine
- Carbetapentane; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine
- Carbetapentane; Phenylephrine
- Carbetapentane; Phenylephrine; Pyrilamine
- Carbinoxamine; Hydrocodone; Phenylephrine
- Carbinoxamine; Phenylephrine
- Carmustine, BCNU
- Chlophedianol; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine
- Chlorambucil
- Chlorothiazide
- Chlorpheniramine; Dextromethorphan; Phenylephrine
- Chlorpheniramine; Dihydrocodeine; Phenylephrine
- Chlorpheniramine; Hydrocodone; Phenylephrine
- Chlorpheniramine; Phenylephrine
- Chlorpropamide
- Chlorthalidone
- Chlorthalidone; Clonidine
- Choline Salicylate; Magnesium Salicylate
- Cimetidine
- Cisatracurium
- Citalopram
- Clindamycin
- Clofarabine
- Codeine; Phenylephrine; Promethazine
- Conivaptan
- Dapagliflozin
- Dapagliflozin; Metformin
- Dapagliflozin; Saxagliptin
- Denileukin Diftitox
- Denosumab
- Desmopressin
- Dextran
- Dextromethorphan; Diphenhydramine; Phenylephrine
- Dextromethorphan; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine
- Digoxin
- Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors
- Diphenhydramine; Hydrocodone; Phenylephrine
- Diphenhydramine; Phenylephrine
- Dofetilide
- Doxacurium
- Droperidol
- Dulaglutide
- Echinacea
- Econazole
- Efalizumab
- Empagliflozin
- Empagliflozin; Linagliptin
- Empagliflozin; Linagliptin; Metformin
- Empagliflozin; Metformin
- Enalapril; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Ephedrine
- Eprosartan; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Ertugliflozin
- Ertugliflozin; Metformin
- Ertugliflozin; Sitagliptin
- Estramustine
- Estrogens
- Exenatide
- Fluconazole
- Fluoxymesterone
- Fosinopril; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Gallium Ga 68 Dotatate
- Gemcitabine
- Gentamicin
- Glimepiride
- Glimepiride; Pioglitazone
- Glimepiride; Rosiglitazone
- Glipizide
- Glipizide; Metformin
- Glyburide
- Glyburide; Metformin
- Glycerol Phenylbutyrate
- Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Hemin
- Heparin
- Hetastarch
- Hyaluronidase
- Hyaluronidase, Recombinant; Immune Globulin
- Hydralazine; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Irbesartan
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Lisinopril
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Losartan
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Methyldopa
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Metoprolol
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Moexipril
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Olmesartan
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Propranolol
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Quinapril
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Spironolactone
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Telmisartan
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Triamterene
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Valsartan
- Hydrocodone; Phenylephrine
- Hydroxyurea
- Hyoscyamine; Methenamine; Methylene Blue; Phenyl Salicylate; Sodium Biphosphate
- Ibritumomab Tiuxetan
- Incretin Mimetics
- Indapamide
- Insulin Degludec; Liraglutide
- Insulin Glargine; Lixisenatide
- Insulins
- Interferon Alfa-2a
- Interferon Alfa-2b
- Interferon Alfa-2b; Ribavirin
- Isoproterenol
- Isotretinoin
- L-Asparaginase Escherichia coli
- Levetiracetam
- Levomethadyl
- Linagliptin; Metformin
- Liraglutide
- Lixisenatide
- Lomustine, CCNU
- Loop diuretics
- Macimorelin
- Magnesium Salicylate
- Mannitol
- Mecasermin rinfabate
- Mecasermin, Recombinant, rh-IGF-1
- Meglitinides
- Melphalan
- Mepenzolate
- Metformin
- Metformin; Pioglitazone
- Metformin; Repaglinide
- Metformin; Rosiglitazone
- Metformin; Saxagliptin
- Metformin; Sitagliptin
- Methacholine
- Methazolamide
- Methenamine; Sodium Acid Phosphate
- Methenamine; Sodium Acid Phosphate; Methylene Blue; Hyoscyamine
- Methoxsalen
- Methyclothiazide
- Metolazone
- Micafungin
- Mifepristone
- Mitoxantrone
- Mivacurium
- Moxifloxacin
- Muromonab-CD3
- Natalizumab
- Nateglinide
- Nelarabine
- Neostigmine
- Neuromuscular blockers
- Nicardipine
- Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs
- Ondansetron
- Oxymetholone
- Pancuronium
- Pegaspargase
- Penicillamine
- Phenylephrine
- Phenylephrine; Promethazine
- Photosensitizing agents (topical)
- Physostigmine
- Pimozide
- Potassium
- Potassium Chloride
- Potassium Phosphate; Sodium Phosphate
- Potassium-sparing diuretics
- Pramlintide
- Prasterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA (Dietary Supplements)
- Prasterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA (FDA-approved)
- Propranolol
- Purine analogs
- Pyridostigmine
- Quetiapine
- Rapacuronium
- Regular Insulin
- Repaglinide
- Ritodrine
- Rituximab
- Rituximab; Hyaluronidase
- Rocuronium
- Salicylates
- Salsalate
- Sargramostim, GM-CSF
- Semaglutide
- SGLT2 Inhibitors
- Sodium Benzoate; Sodium Phenylacetate
- Sodium Chloride
- Sodium Phenylbutyrate
- Sodium Phosphate Monobasic Monohydrate; Sodium Phosphate Dibasic Anhydrous
- Somatropin, rh-GH
- Succinylcholine
- Sulfonylureas
- Telbivudine
- Testosterone
- Thiazide diuretics
- Thiazolidinediones
- Thyroid hormones
- Tobramycin
- Tolazamide
- Tolbutamide
- Tositumomab
- Tranexamic Acid
- Trastuzumab; Hyaluronidase
- Tretinoin, ATRA
- Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative, PPD
- Tubocurarine
- Vancomycin
- Vecuronium
- Vigabatrin
- Vinblastine
- Vincristine Liposomal
- Vorinostat
- Warfarin
- Zafirlukast
- Zileuton