What is Corticotropin?

Category: Prescription Drugs

Most popular types: Acthar Gel HP ACTH

false

A corticosteroid administered by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, used for acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis. Also used as a diagnostic aid in adrenocortical insufficiency and severe muscle weakness in myasthenia gravis.

Reported purpose & perceived effectiveness
Purpose Patients Evaluations Perceived Effectiveness
Multiple sclerosis 28 19
Systemic lupus erythematosus 5 5
Improve mobility 3 3
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 2 3
Blurry vision 2 1

Show all 22 reasons taken


  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell

Side effects

Side effects as an overall problem

Side effects as an overall problem
Severity Evaluations Percentage
Severe 11
Moderate 21
Mild 22
None 15

Commonly reported side effects and conditions associated with Corticotropin

Side effect Patients Percentage
Insomnia 4
Weight gain 4
Insomnia 3
Anxious mood 2
Diarrhea 2
Rashes (redness, swelling) 2

Show all 42 reported side effects

Why patients stopped taking Corticotropin

Multiple reasons could be selected

Reason Patients Percentage
Course of treatment ended 37
Did not seem to work 10
Side effects too severe 10
Doctor's advice 6
Other 3
Expense 1
Personal research 1
See all 61 patients who've stopped taking Corticotropin

Duration

Stopped taking Corticotropin

Duration Patients Percentage
Less than 1 month 43
1 - 6 months 9
6 months - 1 year 3
1 - 2 years 3
2 - 5 years 1
5 - 10 years 2
Adherence
Adherence Evaluations Percentage
Always 63
Usually 0
Sometimes 5
Never taken as prescribed 1
Burden
Burden Evaluations Percentage
Very hard to take 4
Somewhat hard to take 17
A little hard to take 20
Not at all hard to take 28
Cost per month
Cost per month Evaluations Percentage
$200+ 10
$100-199 1
$50-99 2
$25-49 2
< $25 33
Not specified 21

What people switch to and from

Patients started taking Corticotropin after stopping:

Treatment Patients Percentage
Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol Infusion) 5
Prednisone (Prednisone Intensol) 2
Azathioprine (Imuran) 1
Belimumab (Benlysta) 1
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) 1

Show all 7 treatments patients report switching from

Patients stopped taking Corticotropin and switched to:

Treatment Patients Percentage
Azathioprine (Imuran) 1
Belimumab (Benlysta) 1
Cyclosporine (Neoral) 1
Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera) 1
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) 1

Show all 7 treatments patients report switching to

Last updated:

4 patient evaluations for Corticotropin

Apr 10, 2020 (Started Dec 01, 2014)

  • Effectiveness
    None (for relapse MS (exacerbation))
  • Side effects
    Severe (weight gain)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take

Feb 15, 2014 (Started Dec 01, 2014)

  • Effectiveness
    None (for relapse MS (exacerbation))
  • Side effects
    Moderate
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take

  • 0 helpful marks

Feb 9, 2017 (Started Feb 05, 2012)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for relapse MS (exacerbation))
  • Side effects
    Moderate (rashes (redness, swelling))
  • Adherence
    Sometimes
  • Burden
    A little hard to take
Dosage: 80 units Monthly
Cost: < $25 monthly

  • 0 helpful marks

Mar 7, 2013 (Started Mar 07, 2013)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for multiple sclerosis)
  • Side effects
    Moderate (vitreous detachment, nausea and vomiting)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    A little hard to take
Dosage: 80 units Monthly
Cost: < $25 monthly

Oct 29, 2012 (Started Mar 07, 2013)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for multiple sclerosis)
  • Side effects
    Moderate (vitreous detachment)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Cost: < $25 monthly

  • 0 helpful marks
Last updated:
Showing 3 of 4 patient evaluations for Corticotropin