Cortrophin Gel vs. Acthar Gel for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Cortrophin Gel

(corticotropin)

Acthar Gel

(corticotropin)

Summary for Cortrophin Gel

Prescription only

Purified Cortrophin Gel is used to treat many different types of inflammatory conditions in adults and children. It can help with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and psoriasis, among others. Cortrophin Gel (corticotropin) comes in a vial and contains adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) with other similar proteins. The medication is typically taken every day. You have to draw up each dose into a syringe from the vial. Then, the medication gets injected either under the skin or into the muscle. Side effects include skin thinning and acne.

Indications for Cortrophin Gel

Flare-ups of arthritis (e.g., psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gouty arthritis)
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), also known as lupus
Systemic dermatomyositis (a muscle condition)
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Severe psoriasis
Eczema
Serum sickness (a type of allergic reaction)
Eye inflammation
Sarcoidosis (a lung condition)
Fluid buildup from kidney damage due to lupus or an unknown cause
Flare-ups of multiple sclerosis

Pros and Cons for Cortrophin Gel

Pros

Can help treat a lot of different inflammatory conditions
Can inject the medication at home after you get trained

Cons

Must draw up dose into a syringe; doesn't come prefilled
Can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the medication too suddenly

Common Side Effects for Cortrophin Gel

See "Other Side Effects" and "Risks and Warnings"

Warnings for Cortrophin Gel

Infections
Changes in adrenal gland function
Risk of stomach ulcers or stomach bleeding
High blood pressure, swelling, and electrolyte problems
Weakened bones
Slowed growth in children
Eye problems
Changes in mood or behavior
Serious allergic reaction

Summary for Acthar Gel

Prescription only

Acthar Gel (corticotropin) is a mixture of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) analogs, similar to ACTH that's naturally made in the body. It's used in adults and children to treat different conditions, including infantile spasms, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Acthar Gel (corticotropin) is available as a vial and prefilled SelfJect injector. The medication is given as an injection under the skin or into the muscle once or twice per day for a few days to few weeks, depending on your age and your condition. Common side effects include injection site reactions, tiredness, and weakness.

Indications for Acthar Gel

Infantile spasms
Multiple sclerosis flare up
Rheumatic condition flare-up (e.g., psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis)
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Systemic dermatomyositis
Skin conditions (e.g., severe erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
Serum sickness
Eye inflammation
Breathing conditions (e.g., sarcoidosis)
Fluid build-up from kidney damage due to lupus or unknown cause

Pros and Cons for Acthar Gel

Pros

Can help treat many different inflammatory conditions
Available as prefilled SelfJect injector, which makes under-the-skin injections easier
Can be used in children under 2 years old for certain conditions

Cons

Brand-name medication only
Can raise your risk of infections
Can cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped too suddenly

Common Side Effects for Acthar Gel

Infantile spasms (children under 2 years old):

Infection (20%)
Seizures (12%)
High blood pressure (11%)
Irritability (7%)
Fever (5%)

Conditions other than infantile spasms (adults and children):

Injection site reactions
Tiredness
Weakness
Low energy
Swelling
Trouble sleeping
Headache
Higher blood sugar levels

Warnings for Acthar Gel

Infections
Low adrenal gland function and Cushing's syndrome
Risk of stomach ulcers or bleeding
High blood pressure, swelling, and electrolyte problems
Weakening of bones and slowed growth
Eye problems
Behavior changes
Serious allergic reaction

Prices with our coupons for Cortrophin Gel vs. Acthar Gel

Cortrophin Gel1 vial / 5ml of 400 units/5ml

$38,295.41-

Get free coupons

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Acthar Gel2 cartons / 4 prefilled selfject injectors of 80 units/ml

$79,745.38-

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Cortrophin Gel vs. Acthar Gel

Cortrophin Gel

Acthar Gel

Summary for Cortrophin Gel

Indications for Cortrophin Gel

Pros and Cons for Cortrophin Gel

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Cortrophin Gel

Warnings for Cortrophin Gel

Summary for Acthar Gel

Indications for Acthar Gel

Pros and Cons for Acthar Gel

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Acthar Gel

Warnings for Acthar Gel

Prices with our coupons for Cortrophin Gel vs. Acthar Gel

Browse medications by letter

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Cortrophin Gel

Acthar Gel

Summary for Cortrophin Gel

Indications for Cortrophin Gel

Pros and Cons for Cortrophin Gel

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Cortrophin Gel

Warnings for Cortrophin Gel

Summary for Acthar Gel

Indications for Acthar Gel

Pros and Cons for Acthar Gel

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Acthar Gel

Warnings for Acthar Gel