| Allergic Conjunctivitis

Dextenza vs Purified Cortrophin Gel

Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for allergic conjunctivitis.
Deep comparison between: Dextenza vs Purified Cortrophin Gel with Prescriber.AI
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Safety signalsPurified Cortrophin Gel has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Dextenza based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Purified Cortrophin Gel but not Dextenza, including UnitedHealthcare
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Dextenza
Purified Cortrophin Gel
At A Glance
Intracanalicular insert
Single insert (up to 30 days)
Corticosteroid
SC/IM injection
Corticotropin (ACTH)
Indications
  • Inflammatory abnormality of the eye
  • Allergic Conjunctivitis
  • Arthritis, Psoriatic
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
  • Primary gout
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
  • Polymyositis
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
  • Psoriasis
  • Dermatitis, Atopic
  • Serum Sickness
  • Allergic Conjunctivitis
  • Keratitis
  • Iritis
  • Iridocyclitis
  • Uveitis
  • Optic Neuritis
  • Chorioretinitis
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Nephrotic Syndrome
  • Multiple Sclerosis
Dosing
Inflammatory abnormality of the eye, Allergic Conjunctivitis Single intracanalicular insert releasing 0.4 mg dexamethasone for up to 30 days, placed into the lower lacrimal canaliculus; resorbable, does not require removal.
Arthritis, Psoriatic, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Primary gout, Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic, Polymyositis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Psoriasis, Dermatitis, Atopic, Serum Sickness, Allergic Conjunctivitis, Keratitis, Iritis, Iridocyclitis, Uveitis, Optic Neuritis, Chorioretinitis, Sarcoidosis, Nephrotic Syndrome Dose individualized based on disease severity, plasma and urine corticosteroid levels, and patient response; administer SC or IM; verify adrenal responsiveness prior to treatment (up to 80 units as a single injection); chronic doses above 40 units daily associated with uncontrollable adverse effects.
Multiple Sclerosis 80-120 units daily SC or IM for 2-3 weeks for acute exacerbations.
Contraindications
  • Active corneal, conjunctival, or canalicular infections, including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, or varicella
  • Mycobacterial infections of the eye
  • Fungal diseases of the eye
  • Dacryocystitis
  • Intravenous administration
  • Scleroderma
  • Osteoporosis
  • Systemic fungal infections
  • Ocular herpes simplex
  • Recent surgery
  • History of or presence of a peptic ulcer
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Hypertension
  • Sensitivity to proteins derived from porcine sources
  • Primary adrenocortical insufficiency
  • Adrenocortical hyperfunction
Adverse Reactions
Most common (>=1%) anterior chamber inflammation (including iritis and iridocyclitis), intraocular pressure increased, visual acuity reduced, cystoid macular edema, corneal edema, eye pain, conjunctival hyperemia, lacrimation increased, eye discharge, headache
Serious intraocular pressure increase, bacterial infection, viral infection, fungal infection, delayed healing
Fluid and Electrolyte Sodium retention, hypokalemic alkalosis, fluid retention, calcium loss, potassium loss
Musculoskeletal Muscle weakness, loss of muscle mass, steroid myopathy, osteoporosis, vertebral compression fractures, aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads, pathologic fracture of long bones
Gastrointestinal Peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage, abdominal distention, ulcerative esophagitis, pancreatitis
Dermatologic Injection site reactions, impaired wound healing, increased sweating, thin fragile skin, suppression of skin test reactions, petechiae and ecchymoses, acne, hyperpigmentation, facial erythema
Cardiovascular Hypertension, congestive heart failure, necrotizing angiitis
Neurological Convulsions, increased intracranial pressure with papilledema, headache, vertigo
Endocrine Menstrual irregularities, Cushingoid state, suppression of growth in children, secondary adrenocortical and pituitary insufficiency, decreased carbohydrate tolerance, manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus, increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents, hirsutism
Ophthalmic Posterior subcapsular cataracts, increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma with possible damage to optic nerve, exophthalmos
Metabolic Negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism
Allergic Dizziness, nausea and vomiting, skin reactions, anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock, urticaria, respiratory compromise, edema)
Miscellaneous Weight gain, abscess, development of antibodies and loss of stimulatory effect
Pharmacology
Corticosteroid that suppresses inflammation by inhibiting multiple inflammatory cytokines, resulting in decreased edema, fibrin deposition, capillary leakage, and migration of inflammatory cells.
Purified Cortrophin Gel is an anterior pituitary hormone (corticotropin/ACTH) that stimulates the functioning adrenal cortex to produce and secrete adrenocortical hormones; it is formulated as a porcine-derived purified ACTH in a sterile gelatin solution for prolonged activity.
Enter your patient's insuranceCheck specific coverage details for your patient.
Most Common Insurance
Anthem BCBS
Dextenza
  • Covered on 5 commercial plans
  • PA (6/12) · Step Therapy (0/12) · Qty limit (0/12)
View full coverage details ›
Purified Cortrophin Gel
  • Covered on 5 commercial plans
  • PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (1/12) · Qty limit (0/12)
View full coverage details ›
UnitedHealthcare
Dextenza
  • Covered on 4 commercial plans
  • PA (0/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (0/8)
View full coverage details ›
Purified Cortrophin Gel
  • Covered on 4 commercial plans
  • PA (5/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (0/8)
View full coverage details ›
Humana
Dextenza
  • Covered on 0 commercial plans
  • PA (1/3) · Step Therapy (0/3) · Qty limit (2/3)
View full coverage details ›
Purified Cortrophin Gel
  • Covered on 0 commercial plans
  • PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (3/3) · Qty limit (2/3)
View full coverage details ›
Coverage data sourced from MMIT. Updated monthly.
Savings
No savings programs available for Dextenza.
No savings programs available for Purified Cortrophin Gel.
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DextenzaView full Dextenza profile
Purified Cortrophin GelView full Purified Cortrophin Gel profile
Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.