Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Purified Cortrophin Gel
The FDA lists this product in 2 strengths and forms.
Indications
Purified Cortrophin Gel is indicated in the following disorders: 1. Rheumatic disorders: As adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in: Psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy). Ankylosing spondylitis. Acute gouty arthritis. 2. Collagen diseases: During an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of: Systemic lupus erythematosus.
Systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis). 3. Dermatologic diseases: Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome). Severe psoriasis. 4. Allergic states: Atopic dermatitis Serum sickness. 5. Ophthalmic diseases: Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa such as: Allergic conjunctivitis. Keratitis. Iritis and iridocyclitis. Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis.
Optic neuritis. Chorioretinitis. Anterior segment inflammation. 6. Respiratory diseases: Symptomatic sarcoidosis. 7. Edematous states: 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. 8. Nervous system: Acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis.
Contraindications
Purified Cortrophin Gel is contraindicated for intravenous administration. Purified Cortrophin Gel is contraindicated in patients with scleroderma, osteoporosis, systemic fungal infections, ocular herpes simplex, recent surgery, history of or the presence of a peptic ulcer, congestive heart failure, hypertension, or sensitivity to proteins derived from porcine sources. Purified Cortrophin Gel is contraindicated in patients with primary adrenocortical insufficiency or adrenocortical hyperfunction.
Warnings and precautions
Chronic administration of corticotropin may lead to adverse effects which are not reversible. This product should not be administered for treatment until adrenal responsiveness has been verified with the route of administration which will be utilized during treatment, intramuscularly or subcutaneously. A rise in urinary and plasma corticosteroid values provides direct evidence of a stimulatory effect. Although the action of corticotropin is similar to that of exogenous adrenocortical steroids the quantity of adrenocorticoid may be variable.



