Acthar (ACTH)
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Indications
- acute exacerbation of multiple sclerosis
- diagnostic aid in adrenocortical insufficiency
- severe muscle weakness in myasthenia gravis
Dosage
- multiple sclerosis: 80-120 units/day for 2-3 weeks
- diagnostic aid:
Injection: 25 & 40 units/vial
Injection: (repository) 40 & 80 units/mL (5 mL)
Pharmacokinetics
Adverse effects
- common (> 10%)
- less common (1-10%)
- uncommon (< 1%)
- seizures, mood swings, headache, skin atrophy, bruising, hyperpigmentation, acne, amenorrhea, Na+ & H2O retention, Cushing's syndrome, bone growth suppression, abdominal distension, ulcerative esophagitis, pancreatitis, muscle wasting, hypersensitivity reactions, delirium, hallucinations, euphoria
Mechanism of action
- ACTH induces secretion of corticoteroids (cortisol, DHEA) from adrenal cortex
More general terms
Additional terms
- ACTH (corticotropin) in plasma
- adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor; ACTH receptor; ACTH-R; adrenocorticotropin receptor; melanocortin receptor 2; MC2-R (MC2R ACTHR)
- corticotropin-releasing factor; corticoliberin; CRF; corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
- cosyntropin (Cortrosyn)
- ectopic ACTH syndrome
- pituitary adenoma/ACTH secreting