| Multiple Sclerosis
Acthar vs Tysabri
Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for multiple sclerosis.Deep comparison between: Acthar vs Tysabri 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 signalsTysabri has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Acthar based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Tysabri but not Acthar, including UnitedHealthcare
Sign up to reveal the full AI analysis
Category
Acthar
Tysabri
At A Glance
IM or SC injection
Corticotropin analog
IV infusion
Every 4 weeks
alpha4-integrin antagonist
Indications
- 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
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Crohn Disease
Dosing
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.
Multiple Sclerosis 300 mg IV infusion over one hour every four weeks.
Crohn Disease 300 mg IV infusion over one hour every four weeks; discontinue if no therapeutic benefit by 12 weeks of induction therapy or if concomitant corticosteroids cannot be tapered within six months of starting therapy.
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
- Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), current or historical
- Previous hypersensitivity reaction to TYSABRI, ranging from urticaria to anaphylaxis
Adverse Reactions
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
Most common (>=10%) Headache, fatigue (MS and CD); arthralgia, urinary tract infection, lower respiratory tract infection, gastroenteritis, vaginitis, depression, pain in extremity, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, rash (MS); upper respiratory tract infection, nausea (CD).
Serious Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), herpes infections, hepatotoxicity, hypersensitivity and antibody formation, immunosuppression and infections, hematological abnormalities.
Postmarketing Hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia (including immune thrombocytopenic purpura).
Pharmacology
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.
Alpha4-integrin antagonist; recombinant humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that binds to the alpha4-subunit of alpha4beta1 and alpha4beta7 integrins on leukocytes, blocking their adhesion to VCAM-1 and MAdCAM-1 and inhibiting transmigration into inflamed parenchymal tissue in multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease.
Enter your patient's insuranceCheck specific coverage details for your patient.
Most Common Insurance
Anthem BCBS
Acthar
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (1/12) · Qty limit (0/12)
Tysabri
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (10/12) · Qty limit (9/12)
UnitedHealthcare
Acthar
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (1/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (0/8)
Tysabri
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (0/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (0/8)
Humana
Acthar
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (2/3) · Qty limit (2/3)
Tysabri
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (3/3) · Qty limit (2/3)
Coverage data sourced from MMIT. Updated monthly.
Savings
No savings programs available for Acthar.
Cost estimate not availableAccessia Health: Multiple Sclerosis - Private Insurance: Waitlist
Commercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
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
ActharView full Acthar profile
TysabriView full Tysabri profile
Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.