Generic drug: corticorelin ovine triflutate
Brand name: Acthrel
What is Acthrel (corticorelin ovine triflutate), and how does it work?
Acthrel (corticorelin ovine triflutate) for Injection is a man-made form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the body and is used as part of a medical test in people with Cushing's syndrome, an endocrine disorder caused by high levels of cortisol (a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland). Acthrel is also used to help your doctor determine why your body is producing too much of its own cortisol.
DIAGNOSTIC USE ONLY
What are the side effects of Acthrel?
Common side effects of Acthrel include:
- warmth,
- redness, or
- tingly feeling in your face, neck, or chest
Side effects with higher doses of Acthrel include fast heart rate, low blood pressure (hypotension), shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest.
What is the dosage for Acthrel?
Dosage
- A single intravenous dose of Acthrel at 1 mcg/kg is recommended for the testing of pituitary corticotrophin function. A dose of 1 mcg/kg is the lowest dose that produces maximal cortisol responses and significant (though apparently sub-maximal) ACTH responses. Doses above 1 mcg/kg are not recommended.
- At a dose of 1 mcg/kg, the ACTH and cortisol responses to Acthrel are prolonged and remain elevated for up to 2 hours.
- The maximum increment in plasma ACTH occurs between 15 and 60 minutes after Acthreladministration, whereas the maximum increment in plasma cortisol occurs between 30 and 120 minutes. In a clinical study of 30 normal healthy men, the peak plasma ACTH and cortisol responses to Acthrel administration in the early afternoon occurred at 42 ± 29 minutes and 65 ± 26 minutes (average ±SD), respectively.
- If a repeated evaluation using the corticorelin stimulation test with Acthrel is needed, it is recommended that the repeat test be carried out at the same time of day as the original test because there are differences in basal levels and peak response levels following a.m. or p.m. administration to normal humans.
Administration
- Acthrel is to be reconstituted aseptically with 2 mL of Sodium Chloride injection, USP (0.9% sodium chloride), at the time of use by injecting 2 mL of the saline diluent into the lyophilized drug product cake.
- To avoid bubble formation, DO NOT SHAKE the vial; instead, roll the vial to dissolve the product.
- The sterile solution containing 50 mcg corticorelin/mL is then ready for injection by the intravenous route.
- The dosage to be administered is determined by the patient's weight (1 mcg corticorelin/kg).
- Some of the adverse effects can be reduced by administering the drug as an infusion over 30 seconds instead of as a bolus injection.
- Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
What drugs interact with Acthrel?
- The plasma ACTH response to corticorelin injection is inhibited or blunted in normal subjects pretreated with dexamethasone.
- The use of a heparin solution to maintain i.v. cannula patency during the corticorelin test is not recommended.
- A possible interaction between corticorelin and heparin may have been responsible for a major hypotensive reaction that occurred after corticorelin administration.
Is Acthrel safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding?
- It is also not known whether corticorelin can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive capacity.
- Acthrel should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
- It is not known whether corticorelin is secreted in human milk.
- Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Acthrel is administered to a nursing woman.
Summary
Acthrel (corticorelin ovine triflutate) for Injection is a man-made form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the body and is used as part of a medical test in people with Cushing's syndrome, an endocrine disorder caused by high levels of cortisol (a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland). Acthrel is also used to help your doctor determine why your body is producing too much of its own cortisol. Common side effects of Acthrel include warmth, redness, or tingly feeling in your face, neck, or chest.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
Women's Health: 25 Hormone Imbalance Symptoms and Signs
Hormone imbalance involves changes in estrogen, progesterone, and other hormone levels. Hormonal imbalance in women may cause...
-
Surprising Causes of Weight Gain
There are many reasons for sudden weight gain when there are no changes in diet or exercise. Learn to identify the cause of your...
-
Weight Management: Medical Conditions That Can Cause Weight Gain
Could a medical condition be the reason for your recent weight gain? Find out some possible causes and how best to manage them.
-
How to Quit Smoking Without Weight Gain
When you quit smoking, weight gain is a concern. You can quit smoking without weight gain when you understand how your body works...
Related Disease Conditions
-
Can a Partial Hysterectomy Cause Hormonal Imbalance?
A partial hysterectomy may affect your hormones. Understand the signs of hormonal imbalance, how doctors diagnose hormonal imbalance, and what you can do to treat hormonal imbalance after partial hysterectomy.
-
Mirena Weight Gain: Do IUDs Cause Weight Gain?
Nonhormonal IUDs generally do not cause any weight gain. Hormonal IUDs cause weight gain in about 5% of patients. As Mirena is a hormonal IUD, there are chances of weight gain. This weight gain is mainly due to the hormone progestin that causes water retention and bloating.
-
How Can a Man Tell if He Has a Hormonal Imbalance?
What is a hormonal imbalance? Learn the signs of hormonal imbalance in men and what to do if you suspect you have a hormonal imbalance.
-
What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalances in Women?
The main causes of hormonal imbalances are issues with the thyroid, stress, and eating disorders. Some symptoms include irregular periods, low sex-drive, unexplained weight gain, and mood swings. Getting rid of hormonal belly fat involves treating the underlying cause along with diet changes, regular exercise, and stress management.
-
Does Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Cause Weight Gain or Loss?
Hormone replacement therapy can help with the symptoms of menopause. Learn more about the potential effects, including how it might impact weight loss or weight gain.
-
What Are the Signs That You Need Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
What is hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? Learn the signs you might need hormone replacement therapy and the different types of therapies.
-
Can Hormonal Imbalance Affect Pregnancy?
Hormonal imbalance is a common issue that affects many people. Learn the signs of hormonal imbalance, how it affects pregnancy, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it.
-
Can Hormonal Imbalance Cause Weight Gain?
Hormonal imbalance is a common issue that affects many people. Learn the signs of hormonal imbalance, how it can cause weight gain and other symptoms, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it.
-
Does Weight Gain Stop After Quitting Smoking?
People may generally gain some extra weight after they quit smoking. Gaining weight is considered to be a common side effect of smoking cessation. Usually, an individual may gain up to 10 pounds during the first few months.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Hormone Therapy - HRT, HT, ET, EPT, What Does it All Mean?
- Hormone Therapy and and Heart Disease in Women
- Cushings syndrome vs. Cushings disease
- Can Hormones Released by Breastfeeding Cause a Miscarriage?
- How Do I Know if My Cortisol is High?
- Does Dairy Cause Weight Gain?
- 7 Tips to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
- Weight Gain, Obesity & Cancer Risk
Medications & Supplements
Health News
- Unhealthy Microbiome May Raise Death Risk After Organ Transplant
- Raw Milk Exposure a Real Bird Flu Risk for Humans, but Fast Spread Unlikely
- Second Recipient of Genetically Modified Pig Kidney Has Died
- Doctors Perform Larynx Transplant in Cancer Patient
- Scientists Develop High-Tech 'Air Mask' to Ward Off Viruses
- More Health News »
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.