ACTHAR SELFJECT (corticotropin)


Drug overview for ACTHAR SELFJECT (corticotropin):

Generic name: CORTICOTROPIN (KOR-ti-koe-TROE-pin)
Drug class: Corticotropins
Therapeutic class: Endocrine

Corticotropin is a polypeptide, which is secreted by the basophilic cells of the anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis) that stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol (hydrocortisone) and other hormones.

The principal indication for corticotropin is as an aid in the diagnosis of adrenocortical insufficiency. (See Cosyntropin 36:04.) Corticotropin may be used in the palliative treatment of various nonendocrine disorders that are responsive to glucocorticoids. (See Corticosteroids General Statement 68:04.) Corticotropin also may be used in the symptomatic treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis or other neuromuscular disorders such as dermatomyositis.

Corticotropin therapy is not curative and is indicated only as supportive therapy to be used adjunctively with other indicated therapies. If prolonged therapy is required, continual attempts should be made to reduce the dosage or, preferably, to withdraw corticotropin therapy completely. (See Dosage and Administration: Dosage.)
DRUG IMAGES
  • ACTHAR 80 UNIT/ML SELFJECT
    ACTHAR 80 UNIT/ML SELFJECT
The following indications for ACTHAR SELFJECT (corticotropin) have been approved by the FDA:

Indications:
Acute exacerbation of multiple sclerosis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Chorioretinitis
Erythema multiforme
Infantile spasms
Iridocyclitis
Iritis
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Keratitis
Nephrotic syndrome
Optic neuritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Serum sickness
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Systemic dermatomyositis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Uveitis


Professional Synonyms:
Acute exacerbation of MS
Acute iritis
Acute relapse of MS
Acute relapse of multiple sclerosis
Arthritis deformans
Arthrosis deformans
Axial spondyloarthritis with radiographic sacroiliitis
Bekhterev's arthritis
Bekhterev's disease
Bekhterev's spondylitis
Disseminated lupus erythematosus
Erythema polymorphe
Hebra's disease
Herpes iris
Infantile spasm
Inflammation of the choroid and the retina
Inflammation of the optic nerve
Inflammation of the retina and the choroid
Jackknife seizures
Johnson-Stevens syndrome
Juvenile RA
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus erythematosus syndrome
Marie-Strumpell disease
Marie-Strumpell spondylitis
Multiple sclerosis exacerbation
Nodose rheumatism
Psoriasis arthropica
Psoriatic arthropathy
Retinochoroiditis
Rheumatic arthritis
Rheumatic gout
Rheumatoid spondylitis
Rhizomelic spondylitis
Rhizomelic spondylosis
Salaam convulsions
Serum sickness-like reaction
Spondylosis deformans
Strumpell-Marie disease
West syndrome