Corticotropin (ACTH, Adrenocorticotropin, Corticotrophin)(kor ti koe troe’ pin)
Repository injection: H.P. Acthar Gel
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Drug Classes
Anterior pituitary hormone
Diagnostic agent
Therapeutic Actions
Stimulates the adrenal cortex to synthesize and secrete adrenocortical hormones.
Indications
Allergic states unresponsive to conventional treatments
Therapy of some glucocorticoid-sensitive disorders
Nonsuppurative thyroiditis
Hypercalcemia associated with cancer
Acute exacerbations of MS
Tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block
Trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement
Rheumatic, collagen, dermatologic, allergic, ophthalmologic, respiratory, hematologic, edematous, and GI diseases
Palliative management of leukemias, lymphomas
Unlabeled use: Treatment of infantile spasms
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with adrenocortical insufficiency or hyperfunction; infections, especially systemic fungal infections, ocular herpes simplex; scleroderma, osteoporosis; recent surgery; heart failure, hypertension; allergy to pork or pork products (corticotropin is isolated from porcine pituitaries); liver disease; ulcerative colitis with impending perforation; recent GI surgery; active or latent peptic ulcer; inflammatory bowel disease; hypothyroidism; pregnancy, lactation.
Use cautiously with mental disturbances, diabetes, diverticulitis, renal impairment, myasthenia gravis.
Available Forms
Repository injection—80 units/mL
Dosages
Adults
Therapy: 40–80 units IM or subcutaneously every 24–72 hr; when indicated, gradually reduce dosage by increasing intervals between injections or decreasing the dose injected, or both.
Acute exacerbations of MS: 80–120 units/day IM for 2–3 wk.
Pediatric patients
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