Cosyntropin
Also referenced as: Cortrosyn, ACTH 1-24
A synthetic ACTH fragment used for diagnostic assessment of adrenal function.
- Evidence grade
- BModerate Human Evidence
Moderate Human Evidence
- Regulatory status
- FDA Approved for Specific Indication
FDA-approved diagnostic agent used with other tests to screen for adrenocortical insufficiency in adults and children.
- Human data
- Yes
Registered clinical trials exist
- Last reviewed
- October 27, 2026
Overview
A synthetic ACTH fragment used for diagnostic assessment of adrenal function.
FDA-approved diagnostic agent used with other tests to screen for adrenocortical insufficiency in adults and children.
A diagnostic response is not treatment for chronic adrenal insufficiency or nonspecific fatigue.
Why It's Being Studied
- Adrenal function testing
- Cortisol response
Mechanism of Action
ACTH-receptor stimulation triggers cortisol secretion, which is measured during adrenal testing.
ACTH-receptor stimulation triggers cortisol secretion, which is measured during adrenal testing. A diagnostic response is not treatment for chronic adrenal insufficiency or nonspecific fatigue.
From molecular target to clinical evidence
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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
- Adrenal function testing
- Cortisol response
- Injectable diagnostic medicine
Evidence Summary
Human pharmacology supports its diagnostic role in screening for adrenocortical insufficiency with other tests.
Higher tiers carry more weight. Filled tiers have evidence for Cosyntropin; tap to read it.
- Human pharmacology supports its diagnostic role in screening for adrenocortical insufficiency with other tests.
1 cited sources.
- Prescribing label1
Human clinical evidence
- Human pharmacology supports its diagnostic role in screening for adrenocortical insufficiency with other tests.
Reported Adverse Events in Research
- Hypersensitivity including anaphylaxis is possible; test interpretation can be confounded by medications and clinical circumstances.
Limitations of Current Evidence
- A diagnostic response is not treatment for chronic adrenal insufficiency or nonspecific fatigue.
- 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
| Cosyntropin | 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 | Injectable diagnostic medicine | Oral approved medicine |
| Cited sources | 1 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Research References
- Prescribing label
Cosyntropin — prescribing label