Corticotropin (ACTH), Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: diagnostic agent

Generic and brand names: corticotropin zinc hydroxide, injection; corticotropin, injection; repository corticotropin, injection; ACTH; ACTH-80; Acthar; Cosyntropin; Cotrophin-Zinc; H.P. Acthar Gel

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shots) to test the function of the adrenal cortex (the covering of a gland near the kidneys that makes hormones). It is also used to treat multiple sclerosis, infantile spasms (a specific type of seizures in young children), and other conditions. Your health care provider will explain why you are being given these shots.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have:

• congestive heart failure
• eye infections caused by herpes virus
• high blood pressure
• liver disease
• osteoporosis
• scleroderma (disorder that causes collagen breakdown in the skin)
• stomach ulcers.

How should I use it?

These shots are given by your health care provider. They are given into a muscle, into a vein, or just under the skin depending on the product being used. Keep all appointments for your shots.

What should I watch out for?

Do not have any vaccinations with live vaccines while receiving this medicine. Check with your health care provider.

While you are receiving these shots, your health care provider may:

• monitor your potassium levels
• have you follow a potassium-rich diet
• prescribe a potassium supplement for you to take.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your health care provider about this.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Breast-feeding is not recommended while receiving this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Swelling of the ankles or legs, abdominal pain, convulsions, muscle weakness, headache that continues.

Other: Skin discoloration, change in skin texture, pimples, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, menstrual irregularities.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• amphotericin B (Fungizone)
• antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox) and sparfloxacin (Zagam)
• potassium-depleting diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL, Esidrix, Oretic), and metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
• aspirin and other salicylates.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.