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Getting started with your Cortrophin Gel treatment

Cortrophin Gel is a prescription medicine that is injected under the skin or into the muscle. It is an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) injection treatment that is FDA-approved for multiple conditions.

You and your doctor will decide whether you will self-administer your injections, or whether your doctor will administer your injections in their office.

For injection into a muscle
(intramuscular) or under the
skin (subcutaneous).

vials

5 mL

1 mL

Vial sizes are not to scale.

For injection under the skin
(subcutaneous) only.

1ml injection

Prefilled syringe sizes are not to scale.

1 mL

0.5 mL

Understanding how to inject Cortrophin Gel

After prescribing Cortrophin Gel, your healthcare provider will give you specific advice and instructions based on your needs and condition. Your healthcare provider should explain:

Where and
how to inject
How much
to give
How often
to give it
DO NOT inject yourself until you have been shown how to give your injections by your healthcare provider.

Cortrophin Gel can be given through 2 methods of administration. It’s important to ask your healthcare provider which injection method you should use and the best areas for your injections. Cortrophin Gel is an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) injection treatment containing 80 U/mL. It can be administered:

Under The Skin (subcutaneous)

Cortrophin Gel can be given through 2 methods of administration. It’s important to ask your healthcare provider which injection method you should use and the best areas for your injections. Cortrophin Gel is an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) injection treatment containing 80 U/mL. It can be administered:

Do not inject
Cortrophin Gel into
the vein or administer
by mouth.

Into the muscle (intramuscular)
Learn more about how to inject Cortrophin Gel.

Watch a step-by-step video on using Cortrophin Gel

Whether you are injecting yourself or someone else, this video provides guidance on how to inject Cortrophin Gel

Watch Video

Get dedicated support for your
treatment journey

If you still aren't feeling comfortable with the injection process, the Cortrophin In Your Corner (CIYC) patient support program* can help!

Cortrophin In Your Corner offers in-person injection training at no cost to you, provided by licensed nurses. If you have already been trained or have experience, a virtual injection review session may better fit your needs. If you have not received your injection training before starting treatment, you can call 1-800-805-5258 for assistance.

During this session, a home-health nurse will:

  • Verify you have all of the supplies needed for your injection
  • Walk you and/or your caregiver through the injection process for Cortrophin Gel
  • Explain important facts about storage and disposal after your injection
Learn More

*Not all patients will be eligible for all services offered by Cortrophin In Your Corner.

If you have questions about using Cortrophin Gel, please call Cortrophin In Your Corner before starting treatment at 1-800-805-5258.

Purified Cortrophin Gel is offered in the following ways:

Single-dose prefilled syringes for injection under the skin (subcutaneous) only

1 mL

0.5 mL

Prefilled syringe sizes are not to scale.

Storing Cortrophin Gel prefilled syringes, and when to throw away (discard)

Cortrophin Gel is supplied as a prefilled syringe for single use. Once you receive your Cortrophin Gel prescription, there are a few things to remember:

Package Size
Volume Size
0.5-mL single-dose
prefilled syringe
40 USP
units/0.5 mL
1-mL single-dose
prefilled syringe
80 USP units/mL

Store Purified Cortrophin Gel prefilled syringes refrigerated at 36° to 46°F (2° to 8°C)

Purified Cortrophin Gel prefilled syringes may be stored at room temperature between 68° to 77°F (20° to 25°C) for up to 24 hours

Throw away (discard) Purified Cortrophin Gel prefilled syringes right away after use or by the expiration date stamped on the syringe

Purified Cortrophin Gel is a clear, light amber (yellow) liquid gel at room temperature. Do not use if the medicine appears discolored or cloudy or looks like it has particles in it

Multiple-dose vials for injection into a muscle (intramuscular) or under the skin (subcutaneous)

5 mL

1 mL

Vial sizes are not to scale.

Storing Cortrophin Gel,
and when to throw away (discard)

Cortrophin Gel is supplied in vials for multiple-use. Once you receive your Cortrophin Gel prescription, there are a few things to remember:

Package Size
Volume Size
1-mL multiple-
dose vial
80 USP units/mL
5-mL multiple-
dose vial
400 USP units/
5 mL

Store vials of Purified Cortrophin Gel in the refrigerator between 36° to 46°F (2° to 8°C)

Purified Cortrophin Gel vials may be stored at room temperature between 68° to 77°F (20° to 25°C) for up to 24 hours

1-mL vials: Throw away (discard) any 1-mL vials 6 months after the vial has been opened (top seal punctured) or by the expiration date stamped on the vial, whichever occurs first

5-mL vials: Throw away (discard) any 5-mL vials 28 days after the vial has been opened (top seal punctured) or by the expiration date stamped on the vial, whichever occurs first

Write the revised "discard by" date in the space provided on the carton

Purified Cortrophin Gel is a clear, light amber (yellow) liquid gel at room temperature. Do not use if the medicine appears discolored or cloudy or looks like it has particles in it

Explore more helpful resources for injecting Cortrophin Gel

Get information and instructions for administering Cortrophin Gel.

Download a step-by-step guide to injecting Cortrophin Gel

For Vials

INJECTION GUIDE (English) INJECTION GUIDE (Spanish)

For Prefilled Syringes

INJECTION GUIDE (English) INJECTION GUIDE (Spanish) Coming Soon

Use this convenient calendar to keep track of your treatment schedule

INJECTION CALENDAR (English) INJECTION CALENDAR (Spanish)
Get support during your treatment journey

Learn about a dedicated support program designed to help you access treatment and understand your coverage and financial support options.

Learn About SAVINGS & SUPPORT
Explore Helpful
Resources

Find information and resources to support your treatment journey with Cortrophin Gel.

Get Resources
Understanding the
Role of ACTH

See how adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) may work.

Learn More
What is Purified Cortrophin Gel?
Important Safety Information
Expand ISI
What is Purified Cortrophin
Gel?Expand ISI

Purified Cortrophin Gel is used for:

  • Acute attacks or flares of multiple sclerosis.
  • Short-term add-on therapy to help manage acute episodes or flares in rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis; psoriatic arthritis; ankylosing spondylitis; and acute gouty arthritis.
  • Treatment for flares or as maintenance therapy in select cases of systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis).
  • Treatment for severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) and severe psoriasis.
  • Treatment for atopic dermatitis (eczema) and serum sickness.
  • Treatment for severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory conditions affecting different parts of the eye. This can include the front part of the eye such as the cornea and iris, or the back part of the eye such as the optic nerve and retina.
  • Treatment for people with symptoms of sarcoidosis.
  • Reduction of protein in the urine of people with nephrotic syndrome of the idiopathic type (unknown origin) without uremia (accumulation of urea in the blood due to malfunctioning kidneys) or due to lupus.

Purified Cortrophin Gel is a prescription medicine that is injected under the skin or into the muscle. It is used for:

  • Short-term add-on therapy to help manage acute episodes or flares in rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis; psoriatic arthritis; ankylosing spondylitis; and acute gouty arthritis.
  • Treatment for flares or as maintenance therapy in select cases of systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis).
  • Treatment for severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) and severe psoriasis.
  • Treatment for atopic dermatitis (eczema) and serum sickness.
  • Treatment for severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory conditions affecting different parts of the eye. This can include the front part of the eye such as the cornea and iris, or the back part of the eye such as the optic nerve and retina.
  • Treatment for people with symptoms of sarcoidosis.
  • Reduction of protein in the urine of people with nephrotic syndrome of the idiopathic type (unknown origin) without uremia (accumulation of urea in the blood due to malfunctioning kidneys) or due to lupus.
  • Acute attacks or flares of multiple sclerosis.
Important Safety InformationExpand ISI

DO NOT use Cortrophin Gel if you have any of the following conditions:

  • A skin condition called scleroderma
  • Bone density loss or osteoporosis
  • Fungal infections
  • Ocular herpes simplex (an eye infection)
  • A recent surgery
  • Stomach ulcers or a history of stomach ulcers
  • Heart failure
  • High blood pressure
  • Allergies to pig-derived proteins
  • Adrenal glands that do not make enough of the hormone cortisol (primary adrenocortical insufficiency) or
  • An adrenal cortex that makes too much of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone (adrenocortical hyperfunction)

Tell your doctor if you:

  • Have or have had any other health problems
  • Are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including aspirin, vitamins, and herbal or dietary supplements
  • Have any allergies
  • Are about to receive any vaccine
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Cortrophin Gel may harm your unborn baby.
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Cortrophin Gel passes into your breast milk and if it can harm your baby.
What important information do I need to know about Cortrophin Gel?

Be sure to take Cortrophin Gel exactly as your doctor has directed. Always inject Cortrophin Gel under the skin or into the muscle. Do not inject Cortrophin Gel directly into the vein.

  • You may be more likely to get infections. Contact your doctor at the first sign of an infection or fever.
  • Your body may not produce enough natural cortisol after you stop taking Cortrophin Gel long term. This is called adrenal insufficiency. Your doctor may try to reduce your dosage gradually or prescribe a steroid medicine to protect you until the adrenal gland recovers.
  • You might develop high blood pressure, retain too much salt and water, or have low blood potassium levels. As a result of this, your doctor may recommend some changes to your diet, such as eating less salt or taking certain supplements.
  • Corticotropin therapy may hide symptoms of other diseases. This can make it more difficult for your doctor to make a diagnosis if something else is going on.
  • Taking Cortrophin Gel can make you feel irritable or depressed. You may also have mood swings or trouble sleeping.
  • You might develop certain eye conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma, or optic nerve damage.
  • You may develop allergies to Cortrophin Gel. Signs of an allergic reaction include dizziness, nausea and vomiting, shock, and skin reactions.
  • The effects of Cortrophin Gel may be intensified if you have an underactive thyroid or cirrhosis of the liver.

Side effects of Cortrophin Gel include fluid or salt retention; weight gain; muscle weakness; osteoporosis, stomach ulcers with possible bleeding; injection site reactions; impaired wound healing; high blood pressure; convulsions; headache; development of Cushingoid state (a hormonal condition often characterized by facial puffiness and weight gain); and suppression of growth in children.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Cortrophin Gel. Call your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-308-6755 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see full Prescribing Information.


What is Purified Cortrophin Gel?

Purified Cortrophin Gel is a prescription medicine that is injected under the skin or into the muscle. It is used for:

  • Short-term add-on therapy to help manage acute episodes or flares in rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis; psoriatic arthritis; ankylosing spondylitis; and acute gouty arthritis.
  • Treatment for flares or as maintenance therapy in select cases of systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis).
  • Treatment for severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) and severe psoriasis.
  • Treatment for atopic dermatitis (eczema) and serum sickness.
  • Treatment for severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory conditions affecting different parts of the eye. This can include the front part of the eye such as the cornea and iris, or the back part of the eye such as the optic nerve and retina.
  • Treatment for people with symptoms of sarcoidosis.
  • Reduction of protein in the urine of people with nephrotic syndrome of the idiopathic type (unknown origin) without uremia (accumulation of urea in the blood due to malfunctioning kidneys) or due to lupus.
  • Acute attacks or flares of multiple sclerosis.

Purified Cortrophin Gel is used for:

  • Acute attacks or flares of multiple sclerosis.
  • Short-term add-on therapy to help manage acute episodes or flares in rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis; psoriatic arthritis; ankylosing spondylitis; and acute gouty arthritis.
  • Treatment for flares or as maintenance therapy in select cases of systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis).
  • Treatment for severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) and severe psoriasis.
  • Treatment for atopic dermatitis (eczema) and serum sickness.
  • Treatment for severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory conditions affecting different parts of the eye. This can include the front part of the eye such as the cornea and iris, or the back part of the eye such as the optic nerve and retina.
  • Treatment for people with symptoms of sarcoidosis.
  • Reduction of protein in the urine of people with nephrotic syndrome of the idiopathic type (unknown origin) without uremia (accumulation of urea in the blood due to malfunctioning kidneys) or due to lupus.
Important Safety Information

DO NOT use Cortrophin Gel if you have any of the following conditions:

  • A skin condition called scleroderma
  • Bone density loss or osteoporosis
  • Fungal infections
  • Ocular herpes simplex (an eye infection)
  • A recent surgery
  • Stomach ulcers or a history of stomach ulcers
  • Heart failure
  • High blood pressure
  • Allergies to pig-derived proteins
  • Adrenal glands that do not make enough of the hormone cortisol (primary adrenocortical insufficiency) or
  • An adrenal cortex that makes too much of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone (adrenocortical hyperfunction)

Tell your doctor if you:

  • Have or have had any other health problems
  • Are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including aspirin, vitamins, and herbal or dietary supplements
  • Have any allergies
  • Are about to receive any vaccine
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Cortrophin Gel may harm your unborn baby.
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Cortrophin Gel passes into your breast milk and if it can harm your baby.
What important information do I need to know about Cortrophin Gel?

Be sure to take Cortrophin Gel exactly as your doctor has directed. Always inject Cortrophin Gel under the skin or into the muscle. Do not inject Cortrophin Gel directly into the vein.

  • You may be more likely to get infections. Contact your doctor at the first sign of an infection or fever.
  • Your body may not produce enough natural cortisol after you stop taking Cortrophin Gel long term. This is called adrenal insufficiency. Your doctor may try to reduce your dosage gradually or prescribe a steroid medicine to protect you until the adrenal gland recovers.
  • You might develop high blood pressure, retain too much salt and water, or have low blood potassium levels. As a result of this, your doctor may recommend some changes to your diet, such as eating less salt or taking certain supplements.
  • Corticotropin therapy may hide symptoms of other diseases. This can make it more difficult for your doctor to make a diagnosis if something else is going on.
  • Taking Cortrophin Gel can make you feel irritable or depressed. You may also have mood swings or trouble sleeping.
  • You might develop certain eye conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma, or optic nerve damage.
  • You may develop allergies to Cortrophin Gel. Signs of an allergic reaction include dizziness, nausea and vomiting, shock, and skin reactions.
  • The effects of Cortrophin Gel may be intensified if you have an underactive thyroid or cirrhosis of the liver.

Side effects of Cortrophin Gel include fluid or salt retention; weight gain; muscle weakness; osteoporosis, stomach ulcers with possible bleeding; injection site reactions; impaired wound healing; high blood pressure; convulsions; headache; development of Cushingoid state (a hormonal condition often characterized by facial puffiness and weight gain); and suppression of growth in children.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Cortrophin Gel. Call your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-308-6755 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see full Prescribing Information.