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Cortrophin Gel

Cortrophin Gel Side Effects

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCPKristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Reviewed by Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP, Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on February 13, 2025

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

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

Less Common Side Effects

  • Reaction where you injected the medication (e.g., irritation, pain, redness)
  • Swelling due to fluid buildup
  • Bloating
  • Muscle weakness
  • Headache
  • Skin thinning
  • Darkening of skin color
  • Acne
  • More sweating
  • Longer healing time for wounds
  • Weight gain
  • High blood sugar
  • High blood pressure

Cortrophin Gel serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Serious infection: fever, difficulty breathing, headache, weakness, confusion, sweating, chills, stiff neck, muscle aches, diarrhea, fast heart rate
  • Stomach problem: burning stomach pain, burning feeling in the chest, acid reflux, bloody or dark stools, coughing or vomiting up blood or coffee-ground bits
  • Eye problem: eye pain, blurry vision, other vision changes
  • Severe allergic reaction: hives; rash; dizziness; nausea; vomiting; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; difficulty breathing; chest pain

Source: DailyMed

The following Cortrophin Gel side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Backache

blurred vision

body aches or pain

chest pain or tightness

chills

cough

difficulty with breathing

dizziness

ear congestion

earache

facial hair growth in females

fever

fractures

full or round face, neck, or trunk

headache

increased thirst or urination

irritability

loss of sexual desire or ability

loss of voice

menstrual irregularities

muscle wasting

nervousness

pounding in the ears

redness or swelling in the ear

runny or stuffy nose

seizures

slow or fast heartbeat

sneezing

sore throat

unusual tiredness or weakness

white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue

white patches with diaper rash

Incidence not known

Accumulation of pus

bruising

bulging soft spot on the head of an infant

change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow

decreased range of motion

decreased urine output

dilated neck veins

extreme tiredness or weakness

eyeballs bulge out of the eye sockets

fast, weak pulse

full or bloated feeling

heartburn

irregular breathing

irregular heartbeat

joint pain

large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin

lightheadedness

limp

loss of appetite

nausea

noisy, rattling breathing

pressure in the stomach

severe headache

slow healing

small red or purple spots on the skin

swelling of the stomach area

swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs

swollen, red, or tender area of infection

trouble sleeping

vomiting

weight gain

Incidence not known-For adults only

Bloating

cold clammy skin

confusion

constipation

coughing up blood

dark urine

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

headache, sudden and severe

increased sweating

indigestion

loss of appetite

pain in the muscles

pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back

redness of the face

sensation of spinning

skin rash

sweating

thinning of the skin

unusual weight loss

weakness

yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known-For infants only

Diarrhea

dry mouth

excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels

mood changes

muscle pain or cramps

numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips

passing gas

problems with speech or speaking

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Blemishes on the skin

diarrhea

pimples

Less common

Changes in appetite

Incidence not known

Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

general feeling of discomfort or illness

increased hair growth, especially on the face

muscle weakness

unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness or feeling of sluggishness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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