About Acthar

Acthar Box

  • H.P. Acthar® Gel (repository corticotropin injection) is a prescription medication containing the hormone adrenocorticotropin ("a-DRE-no-cor-ti-co-tro-pin"), also known as ACTH.[1]
  • Acthar is designed to provide a prolonged release of the medication after it is injected.[1]
  • Acthar works by helping the body produce natural steroid hormones to reduce inflammation.[1]
  • Acthar may be the right choice if you:
    • Are unable to cope with the side effects of corticosteroids
    • Have been treated with a corticosteroid and it did not work
    • Don't have the time or access to receive intravenous therapy
    • Have trouble receiving medication through your veins
  • Acthar administered as daily intramuscular doses of 80-120 units for 2-3 weeks may be used for the treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis. Your healthcare provider will determine the specific dosage that is best for you.
  • Acthar delivers proven relief of MS exacerbations
    • In multiple head-to-head clinical studies, there were no demonstrated differences between the efficacy and safety of IV steroids and ACTH[2][3][4][5]
    • Acthar effectively accelerates recovery from acute MS exacerbations and improves patients' disability scores[1][2][5][6]
  • The usual dose of Acthar is 40-80 units given intramuscularly or subcutaneously every 24-72 hours.
  • Acthar is indicated for diagnostic testing of adrenocortical function.
  • Acthar may also be employed for certain patients in the following disorders: (For more information, please see full prescribing information):
    • EDEMATOUS STATE: To induce a diuresis or a remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome without uremia of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus
    • ENDOCRINE DISORDERS: Nonsuppurative thyroiditis; Hypercalcemia associated with cancer
    • NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES: Acute flares of multiple sclerosis
    • RHEUMATIC DISORDERS: As adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) of:
      • Psoriatic arthritis
      • Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy)
      • Ankylosing spondylitis
      • Acute and subacute bursitis
      • Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis
      • Acute gouty arthritis
      • Post-traumatic arthritis
      • Synovitis of osteoarthritis
      • Epicondylitis
    • COLLAGEN DISEASES: During an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of:
      • Systemic lupus erythematosus
      • Systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis)
      • Acute rheumatic carditis
    • DERMATOLOGIC DISEASES:
      • Pemphigus
      • Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis
      • Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
      • Exfoliative dermatitis
      • Severe psoriasis
      • Severe seborrheic dermatitis
      • Mycosis fungoides
    • ALLERGIC STATES:
      • Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment
      • Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis
      • Bronchial asthma
      • Contact dermatitis
      • Atopic dermatitis
      • Serum sickness
    • OPHTHALMIC DISEASES: Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa such as:
      • Allergic conjunctivitis
      • Keratitis
      • Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
      • Iritis and iridocyclitis
      • Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis
      • Optic neuritis
      • Sympathetic ophthalmia
      • Chorioretinitis
      • Anterior segment inflammation
      • Allergic corneal marginal ulcers
    • RESPIRATORY DISEASES:
      • Symptomatic sarcoidosis
      • Loeffler's syndrome not manageable by other means
      • Berylliosis
      • Fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis when used concurrently with antituberculous chemotherapy
      • Aspiration pneumonitis
    • HEMATOLOGIC DISORDERS:
      • Acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia
      • Secondary thrombocytopenia in adults
      • Erythroblastopenia (RBC anemia)
      • Congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia
    • NEOPLASTIC DISEASES: For palliative management of:
      • Leukemias and lymphomas in adults
      • Acute leukemia of childhood
    • GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES: To tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in:
      • Ulcerative colitis
      • Regional enteritis
    • MISCELLANEOUS:
      • Tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy
      • Trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement

References

  1. ^ H.P. Acthar® Gel (repository corticotropin injection), prescribing information, Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  2. ^ Thompson AJ, Kennard C, Swash M, et al. Relative efficacy of intravenous methylprednisolone and ACTH in the treatment of acute relapse in MS. Neurology. 1989;39:969-971.
  3. ^ Filippini G, Brusaferri F, Sibley WA, et al. Corticosteroids or ACTH for acute exacerbations in multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database of Syst Rev. 2000;(4):CD001331.
  4. ^ Barnes MP, Bateman DE, Cleland PG, et al. Intravenous methylprednisolone for multiple sclerosis in relapse. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1985;48:157-159.
  5. ^ Milanese C, La Mantia L, Salmaggi A, et al. Double-blind randomized trial of ACTH versus dexamethasone versus methylprednisolone in multiple sclerosis bouts. Eur Neurol. 1989;29:10-14.
  6. ^ Rose AS, Kuzma JW, Kurtzke JF, et al. Cooperative study in the evaluation of therapy in multiple sclerosis: ACTH vs. placebo-final report. Neurology. 1970:20:1-59.