Safety Profile

Acthar has a well-established safety profile

  • Side effects are similar to those seen with corticosteroids, including fluid retention, alteration in glucose tolerance, elevation in blood pressure, behavioral and mood changes, increased appetite, and weight gain1
  • Prolonged use of Acthar may increase the risk of side effects
  • The safety profile for Acthar in the treatment of dermatomyositis and polymyositis was evaluated in a retrospective case series of 5 patients with dermatomyositis and polymyositis2
    • Patients receiving Acthar were examined for significant side effects, including:
      • Hyperglycemia
      • Diabetic ketoacidosis
      • Hyperosmolar states
    • No significant adverse events as defined in the study methods were reported by the investigator in any of the 5 patients

Please see Important Safety Information below. For a full list of indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse events related to Acthar, please refer to the full Prescribing Information.

Acthar is indicated for use during an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis).

Review Case Series Results

Review clinical experience with Acthar for dermatomyositis and polymyositis. Go now

Get Support for Your Patients

ActharPACT provides patients with a personal nurse coach and resources such as follow-up materials, a 24-hour hotline, and injection reminders. Learn more

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

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Contraindications

  • Acthar should never be administered intravenously
  • Administration of live or live attenuated vaccines is contraindicated in patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of Acthar
  • Acthar is contraindicated where congenital infections are suspected in infants
  • Acthar is contraindicated in patients with scleroderma, osteoporosis, systemic fungal infections, ocular herpes simplex, recent surgery, history of or the presence of a peptic ulcer, congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, primary adrenocortical insufficiency, adrenocortical hyperfunction or sensitivity to proteins of porcine origins

INDICATIONS

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H.P. Acthar® Gel (repository corticotropin injection) is an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) analogue used for:

  • Treatment during an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis)
  • Treatment during an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of systemic lupus erythematosus
  • The treatment of symptomatic sarcoidosis
  • Adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy)

References:

  1. H.P. Acthar® Gel (repository corticotropin injection) prescribing information. Mallinckrodt ARD, Inc.
  2. Levine T. Treating refractory dermatomyositis or polymyositis with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) gel: a retrospective case series. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2012;6:133-139.
 
 

See How Acthar Is Injected

Watch More Videos
 Replay video
Chapters

1. Injecting Acthar: Introduction

01:22

2. Getting Started With Acthar

01:57

3. Preparing the Dose Ordered For You

01:00

4. Preparing to Inject

00:49

5. Drawing Up Acthar Into the Syringe

01:37

6. Choosing Where to Inject

02:57

7. Injecting Subcutaneously

02:07

8. Disposing of Used Materials

00:49

9. Storing Acthar

00:49

10. Patient Support Services

01:00

11. Important Safety Information

07:18
Chapters

1. Injecting Acthar: Introduction

01:19

2. Getting Started With Acthar

01:56

3. Preparing the Dose Ordered for You

00:59

4. Preparing to Inject

00:49

5. Drawing Up Acthar Into the Syringe

01:37

6. Choosing Where to Inject

02:19

7. Injecting Intramuscularly

02:01

8. Disposing of Used Materials

00:49

9. Storing Acthar

00:49

10. Patient Support Services

01:00

11. Important Safety Information

07:18
Chapters

1. La inyección de Acthar: Introducción

01:57

2. Los primeros pasos con Acthar03:15

3. Preparación de la dosis prescrita

01:23

4. Preparación para la inyección

01:16

5. Toma de Acthar con la jeringa

02:38

6. Elección del lugar dónde inyectar

04:41

7. Inyección subcutánea de Acthar

03:14

8. Cómo deshacerse de los materiales utilizados

01:17

9. Almacenamiento de Acthar

01:05

10. Servicios de apoyo a pacientes

01:36

11. Información importante para los
pacientes

11:34
Chapters

1. La inyección de Acthar: Introducción

01:56

2. Los primeros pasos con Acthar

03:18

3. Preparación de la dosis prescrita01:23

4. Preparación para la inyección1:16

5. Toma de Acthar con la jeringa

02:38

6. Elección del lugar dónde inyectar

03:31

7. Inyección intramuscular de Acthar

03:03

8. Cómo deshacerse de los materiales utilizados

01:17

9. Almacenamiento de Acthar

01:05

10. Servicios de apoyo a pacientes

01:36

11. Información importante para los
pacientes

11:33

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