Corticotropin
Also referenced as: ACTH, Acthar Gel
ACTH-based repository medicines used in selected endocrine and inflammatory conditions.
- Evidence grade
- BModerate Human Evidence
Moderate Human Evidence
- Regulatory status
- FDA Approved for Specific Indication
Repository corticotropin products are FDA-approved for selected indications including infantile spasms and adult MS exacerbations; exact indications differ by product.
- Human data
- Yes
Registered clinical trials exist
- Last reviewed
- October 27, 2026
Overview
ACTH-based repository medicines used in selected endocrine and inflammatory conditions.
Repository corticotropin products are FDA-approved for selected indications including infantile spasms and adult MS exacerbations; exact indications differ by product.
Product-specific indication lists and preparation identity matter; hormone stimulation is not evidence of general immune or adrenal optimization.
Why It's Being Studied
- Infantile spasms
- Adrenal signalling
- Selected inflammatory disorders
Mechanism of Action
Melanocortin-receptor activity stimulates adrenal corticosteroid production; repository preparations are not necessarily a pure synthetic ACTH molecule.
Melanocortin-receptor activity stimulates adrenal corticosteroid production; repository preparations are not necessarily a pure synthetic ACTH molecule. Product-specific indication lists and preparation identity matter; hormone stimulation is not evidence of general immune or adrenal optimization.
From molecular target to clinical evidence
Tap each stage to see what happens.
Background: Clinical Peptide Medicines
Clinical peptide medicines include endocrine treatments, antimicrobial drugs, receptor blockers and targeted diagnostic or cancer agents. They do not share one mechanism or one set of indications.
An approval belongs to a specific medicine and indication. A diagnostic tracer, an antibiotic and a hormone are not interchangeable wellness products; read each profile's own mechanism and prescribing source.
Research Areas & Routes Studied
- Infantile spasms
- Adrenal signalling
- Selected inflammatory disorders
- Approved repository injection
Evidence Summary
Clinical evidence and labels support product-specific indications, including infantile spasms and selected inflammatory disorders.
Higher tiers carry more weight. Filled tiers have evidence for Corticotropin; tap to read it.
- Clinical evidence and labels support product-specific indications, including infantile spasms and selected inflammatory disorders.
1 cited sources.
- Prescribing label1
Human clinical evidence
- Clinical evidence and labels support product-specific indications, including infantile spasms and selected inflammatory disorders.
Reported Adverse Events in Research
- Infection, adrenal suppression, hyperglycemia, hypertension and fluid retention are significant risks.
Limitations of Current Evidence
- Product-specific indication lists and preparation identity matter; hormone stimulation is not evidence of general immune or adrenal optimization.
- Findings apply to the product, route and population studied; they do not establish benefits or safety for unrelated wellness uses or research-vial products.
How to Read This Research
- Is this a single molecule or a family of medicines?
- Is the use diagnostic, therapeutic or investigational?
- Does the quoted outcome match the exact product, formulation and population?
- Use the compound-specific mechanism above; this diagram describes drug development, not a shared biological pathway.
- Historical approval, present availability and off-label use are distinct questions.
- For radiopharmaceuticals and hospital medicines, specialist handling is part of the treatment context.
- Indication
- The condition and population for which a medicine is approved.
- Antagonist
- A compound that blocks activity at a receptor.
- Radiopharmaceutical
- A medicine containing a radioactive isotope for imaging or treatment.
Compare With Other Compounds
| Corticotropin | Trofinetide | |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence grade | B — Moderate Human Evidence | B — Moderate Human Evidence |
| Regulatory status | FDA Approved for Specific Indication | FDA Approved for Specific Indication |
| Human data | Yes | Yes |
| Clinical trials | Registered trials exist | Registered trials exist |
| Research routes | Approved repository injection | Oral approved medicine |
| Cited sources | 1 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Research References
- Prescribing label
Corticotropin — prescribing label