| Ankylosing spondylitis
Bimzelx vs Acthar
Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for ankylosing spondylitis.Deep comparison between: Bimzelx vs Acthar with Prescriber.AI
AI compares prescribing info and payer-specific access barriers across 1,200+ formularies. Here's a preview of what prescribers are already asking.Safety signalsActhar has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Bimzelx based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Acthar but not Bimzelx, including UnitedHealthcare
Sign up to reveal the full AI analysis
Category
Bimzelx
Acthar
At A Glance
SC injection
Every 4-8 weeks
IL-17A and F antagonist
IM or SC injection
Corticotropin analog
Indications
- Psoriasis vulgaris
- Arthritis, Psoriatic
- Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Hidradenitis Suppurativa
- Infantile Spasm
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Arthritis, Psoriatic
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
- Dermatomyositis
- Polymyositis
- Erythema Multiforme
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
- Serum Sickness
- Keratitis
- Iritis
- Iridocyclitis
- Uveitis, Posterior
- Choroiditis
- Optic Neuritis
- Chorioretinitis
- Sarcoidosis
- Nephrotic Syndrome
Dosing
Psoriasis vulgaris 320 mg SC at Weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16, then every 8 weeks thereafter; for patients weighing 120 kg or more, consider 320 mg every 4 weeks after Week 16.
Arthritis, Psoriatic, Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis 160 mg SC every 4 weeks; for Arthritis, Psoriatic with coexistent moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, use the plaque psoriasis dosing regimen.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa 320 mg SC at Weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16, then every 4 weeks thereafter.
Infantile Spasm 150 U/m2/day IM divided into 75 U/m2 twice daily for 2 weeks, then taper over 2 weeks; Acthar Gel vial only -- do not use the pre-filled SelfJect injector.
Multiple Sclerosis 80-120 units IM or SC daily for 2-3 weeks for acute exacerbations; taper as needed.
Arthritis, Psoriatic, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic, Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis, Erythema Multiforme, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Serum Sickness, Keratitis, Iritis, Iridocyclitis, Uveitis, Posterior, Choroiditis, Optic Neuritis, Chorioretinitis, Sarcoidosis, Nephrotic Syndrome 40-80 units IM or SC every 24-72 hours; individualize dosing based on disease severity and patient response; taper dose upon discontinuation.
Contraindications
—
- Intravenous administration
- Use in infants under 2 years of age with suspected congenital infections
- Concomitant live or live-attenuated vaccines during immunosuppressive doses of Acthar Gel
- Scleroderma
- Osteoporosis
- Systemic fungal infections
- Ocular herpes simplex
- Recent surgery
- History of or presence of peptic ulcer
- Congestive heart failure
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Primary adrenocortical insufficiency
- Adrenocortical hyperfunction
- Sensitivity to proteins of porcine origin
Adverse Reactions
Most common (>=1%) Upper respiratory infections, oral candidiasis, headache, injection site reactions, tinea infections, gastroenteritis, herpes simplex infections, acne, folliculitis, fatigue, diarrhea, urinary tract infection
Serious Suicidal ideation and behavior, serious infections, liver biochemical abnormalities, inflammatory bowel disease
Postmarketing Conjunctivitis, esophageal candidiasis
Most common (>=5%) Infections, convulsions, hypertension, irritability, pyrexia (reported in infantile spasm trials at recommended dose)
Serious Cushing's syndrome, adrenal insufficiency upon withdrawal, elevated blood pressure, salt and water retention, hypokalemia, gastrointestinal perforation and bleeding, behavioral and mood disturbances, ophthalmic effects, decreased bone density, negative effects on growth and physical development
Postmarketing Anaphylaxis, necrotizing angitis, pancreatitis, intracranial hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, reversible brain shrinkage, vertebral compression fractures, insomnia, injection site reactions
Pharmacology
Bimekizumab-bkzx is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that selectively binds IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-17AF cytokines, inhibiting their interaction with the IL-17 receptor complex and suppressing the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines.
Repository corticotropin (ACTH) analog that stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol, corticosterone, aldosterone, and weak androgens; also reported to bind melanocortin receptors, with the trophic effects on the adrenal cortex appearing to be mediated by cyclic AMP.
Enter your patient's insuranceCheck specific coverage details for your patient.
Most Common Insurance
Anthem BCBS
Bimzelx
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (10/12) · Qty limit (9/12)
Acthar
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (1/12) · Qty limit (0/12)
UnitedHealthcare
Bimzelx
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (5/8) · Step Therapy (5/8) · Qty limit (5/8)
Acthar
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (1/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (0/8)
Humana
Bimzelx
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (3/3) · Qty limit (3/3)
Acthar
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (2/3) · Qty limit (2/3)
Coverage data sourced from MMIT. Updated monthly.
Savings
$15/fillfill
Bimzelx BridgeCommercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
No savings programs available for Acthar.
Compare Other Drugs
Let us handle your prior authsJust enter your patient's info and we'll:
- Verify eligibility with the payer.
- Pull the right PA forms directly from the payer.
- Submit, track & send live updates to your dashboard.
Free to start · HIPAA compliant
Next Steps for Your Patient
BimzelxView full Bimzelx profile
ActharView full Acthar profile
Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.