What is corticotropin?
Corticotropin is a man-made form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the body.
Corticotropin is used as part of a medical test to check the functioning of your adrenal
glands.
Corticotropin is also used to treat many different conditions such as allergic disorders,
psoriasis and other skin conditions, eye conditions, arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative
colitis, breathing disorders, and many others.
Corticotropin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Corticotropin can reduce the symptoms of many disorders, but it is not considered a cure
for these conditions. Corticotropin is also not expected to slow the progress of any disease.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking corticotropin?
You should not use this medication if you have:
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adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease);
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scleroderma;
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a fungal infection anywhere in your body;
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herpes infection of the eyes;
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osteoporosis;
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past or present stomach ulcer;
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congestive heart failure;
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high blood pressure;
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if you have recently had surgery; or
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if you are allergic to pork proteins.
Corticotropin can worsen an infection you already have, or reactivate
an infection you recently had. Before using this medication, tell your doctor about any illness or
infection you have had within the past several weeks.
Other medical conditions you should tell your doctor about before using corticotropin
include:
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liver disease (such as cirrhosis);
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kidney disease;
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a thyroid disorder;
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diabetes;
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a history of tuberculosis;
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a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;
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glaucoma or cataracts;
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depression or mental illness; or
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a stomach or intestinal disorder.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely use corticotropin.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether corticotropin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
Steroids can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not
growing at a normal rate while using this medication.
How should I take corticotropin?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in
larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Corticotropin is given as an injection into a muscle or under the skin. Your doctor, nurse,
or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your
medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the
injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
When used as in treating a medical condition, corticotropin is sometimes given daily, or
every 2 to 3 days. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Do not inject corticotropin into a vein.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof
container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this
container out of the reach of children and pets.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Your medication needs may change if you have unusual stress such as a serious illness,
fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any
such situation that affects you.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any
doctor who treats you that you are using corticotropin.
If you use corticotropin at home, store it in the refrigerator and do not allow it to
freeze. You may allow the medication to reach room temperature before measuring your dose in
a syringe. Then place the vial back in the refrigerator.
What happens if I miss a dose of corticotropin?
If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist for
instructions.
Where can I get more information about corticotropin?
Your pharmacist has information about corticotropin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of corticotropin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
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problems with your vision;
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swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
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severe depression, unusual thoughts or behavior, seizure
(convulsions);
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bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood;
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pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading
to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate);
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low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst,
increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling); or
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dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred
vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven
heartbeats, seizure).
Less serious side effects may include:
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mood changes;
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acne, dry skin, thinning skin, bruising or discoloration;
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slow wound healing;
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increased sweating;
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headache, dizziness, spinning sensation;
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upset stomach; or
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changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in
your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about corticotropin?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to corticotropin, or if you have
adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease), scleroderma, a fungal infection, herpes infection of the
eyes, osteoporosis, a stomach ulcer, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, recent surgery,
or if you are allergic to pork.
Before using corticotropin, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, and
about all other medicines you are using. There are many other diseases that can be affected by
corticotropin.
Your medication needs may change if you have any unusual stress such as a serious
illness, fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about
any such situation that affects you during treatment.
Do not receive a smallpox vaccine or any "live" vaccine while you are using
corticotropin. Vaccines may not work as well while you are using corticotropin.
Corticotropin can reduce the symptoms of many disorders, but it is not considered a cure
for these conditions. Corticotropin is also not expected to slow the progress of any disease.
What should I avoid while taking corticotropin?
Do not receive a smallpox vaccine or any "live" vaccine while you are being treated with
corticotropin. Vaccines may not work as well while you are using a steroid.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are using corticotropin.
What other drugs will affect corticotropin?
The following drugs can interact with or may be affected by corticotropin. Tell your
doctor if you are using any of these medicines:
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aspirin (used on a daily basis or at high doses);
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a diuretic (water pill); or
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insulin or diabetes medications you use by mouth.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with corticotropin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications
you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of corticotropin?
