Corticotropin
About Corticotropin
Corticotropin belongs to a class of medications called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) analogue. It is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of infantile spasms in infants and children under two years of age. It can also be indicated for the treatment of exacerbations of multiple sclerosis in adults. Besides this, it is used to treat various chronic inflammatory or autoimmune conditions, including rheumatic, collagen disorders, dermatologic, allergic conditions, ophthalmic, respiratory, and oedema. Infantile spasms, sometimes called West syndrome, are a type of seizure that occurs in babies.
Corticotropin contains Corticotropin, a natural form of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). It interacts with melanocortin receptors and may affect cell activity relating to your condition. It also works with the body’s immune system to help reduce inflammation associated with certain chronic inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.
Corticotropin will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. The common side effects of Corticotropin include fluid retention (accumulation of fluid in body tissues and cavities), elevation in blood pressure, behavioural and mood changes, increased appetite, weight gain, convulsions, high blood pressure, irritability, fever, increased risk of infection, insomnia (difficulty sleeping) and headache. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually. However, talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Before taking Corticotropin, let your doctor know about all your medical conditions, sensitivities, and medications you are using. It should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. When treating a nursing mother with Corticotropin, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, considering the risk and benefit to the mother. You should not breastfeed unless the doctor advises.
Uses of Corticotropin
Medicinal Benefits
Corticotropin contains Corticotropin, a natural adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). It interacts with melanocortin receptors and may affect cell activity relating to your condition. Aside from that, it works with the body's immune system to help reduce inflammation associated with some chronic inflammatory or autoimmune disorders such as rheumatic disease, collagen disorders, dermatologic, allergic states, ophthalmic, respiratory, and edematous states (oedema).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Corticotropin
- Injection site reaction
- Fatigue, physical weakness, and lack of energy
- Convulsions
- High blood pressure
- Irritability
- Fever
- Increased risk of infection
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- Headache
- Fluid retention (accumulation of fluid in body tissues and cavities)
- Alteration in glucose tolerance or high blood sugar
- Behavioural and mood changes
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain
Drug Warnings
Before taking Corticotropin, let your doctor know about all your medical conditions, sensitivities, and medications you are using. Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. 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 (+) tuberculin test (a tool for screening for tuberculosis), adrenal insufficiency (when the adrenal glands don't make enough of the hormone cortisol), electrolyte imbalance, fluid retention (oedema), GI perforation, Hyperadrenocorticism (A condition that occurs from exposure to high cortisol levels for a long time), Infections (Bacterial/Fungal/Protozoal/Viral), ocular herpes simplex, osteoporosis (bones become weak and brittle), Peptic Ulcer, and Scleroderma (Chronic hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues). The administration of live or live attenuated vaccines is contraindicated in patients receiving Corticotropin.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Corticotropin may interact with an antirheumatic drug (e.g. leflunomide), and a certain medication is used to treat multiple sclerosis (e.g. teriflunomide), vaccinations (e.g. influenza virus vaccine live, typhoid vaccine live).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Corticotropin.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Corticotropin may interact with various disease conditions including (+) tuberculin test (a tool for screening for tuberculosis), adrenal insufficiency (when the adrenal glands don't make enough of the hormone cortisol), electrolyte imbalance, fluid retention (oedema), GI perforation, Hyperadrenocorticism (A condition that occurs from exposure to high cortisol levels for a long time), Infections (Bacterial/Fungal/Protozoal/Viral), ocular herpes simplex, osteoporosis (bones become weak and brittle), Peptic Ulcer, and Scleroderma (Chronic hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Corticotropin. However, as a precautionary measure, it is advisable to avoid or limit alcohol consumption.
Pregnancy
cautionIt should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. So, inform your doctor before receiving Corticotropin if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. When treating a nursing mother with Corticotropin, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, considering the risk and benefit to the mother. You should not breastfeed unless the doctor advises.
Driving
cautionCorticotropin may cause physical weakness and Convulsions; it may impact on your ability to drive or operate machinery; therefore, do not drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionIf you have liver problems, inform your doctor before taking Corticotropin. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Corticotropin.
Kidney
cautionIf you have kidney problems, inform your doctor before taking Corticotropin. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Corticotropin.
Children
safe if prescribedIt can be used in children over two years of age. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks before prescribing this medicine for your child.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- A ketogenic diet (low in carbohydrates and high in fats) is recommended for children with epilepsy. This diet helps utilise fat instead of glucose for energy generation.
- The Atkins diet (high fat and controlled carbohydrates) is recommended for adolescents and adults.
- Exercising regularly helps in maintaining weight and improving overall health.
- Rest well, and get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Meditation and yoga can help lower stress, decrease pain sensitivity and improve coping skills.
- Have a seizure response plan, and help those around you know what to do.
- Prepare your living area; small changes may reduce the risk of physical injury during a seizure.
- Understand what triggers seizures are and try reducing or avoiding them.
- Please pay attention to overall health, as it can help reduce seizure activity.
- Install an alarm or emergency device to get assistance during a seizure attack.
Special Advise
- Pay close attention to any changes in mood, behaviour, thoughts, or feelings, especially if they are sudden.
- Maintain all scheduled follow-up appointments with your healthcare practitioner.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Infantile spasms: Infantile spasms, also known as West syndrome, are a form of seizure in infants. Spasms appear as a sudden stiffening of muscles, with the baby's arms, legs, or head bending forward. Seizures occur in a chain of brief spasms lasting one to two seconds.
Multiple sclerosis (MS): Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, resulting in symptoms such as problems with sensation, balance, vision, and arm or leg movement.
Autoimmune disease: Autoimmune disease is a group of disorders in which the immune system doesn't work properly due to various genetic & environmental reasons that start attacking normal cells, producing different chemicals resulting in unwanted and hazardous effects in patients. The overactive immune system leads to multiple symptoms that affect day-to-day life and promote diseases like arthritis and muscular weakness. The immune system can also damage the organ which has been transplanted to the patient from another person due to having different blood groups/antigens of the donor patient's organ. The immune system considers it a foreign, harmful body, leading to complications after transplanting an organ like a kidney, liver, or heart.
FAQs
Corticotropin is used to treat Infantile spasms, Multiple sclerosis, Inflammatory or autoimmune conditions.
Corticotropin contains Corticotropin, a natural form of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). It interacts with melanocortin receptors and may affect cell activity relating to your condition. Aside from that, it works with the body's immune system to help reduce inflammation associated with some chronic inflammatory or autoimmune disorders.
Corticotropin may cause behavioural and mood changes. People taking Corticotropin should be closely monitored for their behaviour. Speak with your doctor immediately if you need to.
Common adverse reactions for Corticotropin are fluid retention, alteration in glucose tolerance (Glucose levels are higher during the evening compared with morning), elevation in blood pressure, behavioural and mood changes, increased appetite and weight gain.
