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Corticotropin (Intramuscular, Subcutaneous)

Generic name: corticotropin [ kor-ti-koe-TROE-pin-ree-POZ-i-tor-ee ]
Drug class: Corticotropin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 24, 2023.

Uses for corticotropin

Repository corticotropin injection is used to treat infantile spasms (seizures) in babies and children younger than 2 years of age. It is also used to treat adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. This medicine will not cure MS, but it may slow some of the disabling effects and decrease the number of flare-ups (relapses) of the disease.

Repository corticotropin injection is also used to treat joint disorders (eg, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis), autoimmune diseases (eg, systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE, polymyositis), and certain conditions of the skin (eg, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome), eyes (eg, keratitis, diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis, optic neuritis), and lungs (eg, sarcoidosis). It is also used to treat certain allergies (eg, serum sickness) and swelling (edema) of the body.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using corticotropin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of repository corticotropin injection to treat infantile spasms in babies and children younger than 2 years of age.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of repository corticotropin injection in geriatric patients.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Proper use of corticotropin

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine in a medical facility. It is given as a shot under your skin or into one of your muscles.

Repository corticotropin injection may sometimes be given at home to patients who do not need to be in the hospital. If you are using this medicine at home, your or your child's doctor will teach you how to prepare and inject the medicine. Be sure that you understand exactly how the medicine is prepared and injected.

If your child is receiving repository corticotropin injection to treat infantile spasms, this medicine usually comes with a Medication Guide. It is very important that you read and follow the instructions carefully. Be sure to ask your child's doctor about anything you do not understand.

You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections.

To use:

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Missed Dose

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Storage

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Precautions while using corticotropin

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects.

Do not receive live vaccines while you or your child are using this medicine.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may increase your risk of developing infections. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.

Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems (eg, Cushing's syndrome). The risk is greater for children and patients who use large amounts for a long time. Talk to your doctor right away if you or your child have blurred vision, dizziness or fainting, a fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat, fractures, increased thirst or urination, irritability, round or "moon" face, neck, or trunk, stomach pain, thin skin or easy bruising, weight gain or loss, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine may cause fluid retention (edema) in some patients. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet (especially on salt intake).

This medicine may mask or hide symptoms of other diseases while you are using it. Check with your doctor if you or your child have symptoms of infection, black, tarry stools, changes in body weight, difficulty with breathing, fast heart rate, increased thirst, stomach pain, unusual tiredness, or vomiting.

Check with your doctor right away if you start having severe stomach burning, cramps, or pains, bloody or black, tarry stools, constipation or diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, or vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds. These could be symptoms of a serious stomach or bowel problem.

This medicine may cause changes in mood and behavior. Check with your doctor if you or your child has trouble sleeping, feeling depressed or irritable, mood swings, or other changes in behavior.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child has any changes to your eyes, including redness, itching, swelling, or vision changes while you are using this medicine. Your doctor may want your eyes to be checked by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist).

This medicine may decrease bone mineral density when used for a long time. A low bone mineral density can cause slow growth and may lead to osteoporosis at any age. If you have any questions about this ask your doctor.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you or your child to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of corticotropin

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Incidence not known

Incidence not known-For adults only

Incidence not known-For infants only

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Less common

Incidence not known

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Pharmacologic Class: Corticotropin

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.