| Multiple Sclerosis
Ampyra vs Purified Cortrophin Gel
Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for multiple sclerosis.Deep comparison between: Ampyra vs Purified Cortrophin Gel 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 signalsPurified Cortrophin Gel has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Ampyra based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Purified Cortrophin Gel but not Ampyra, including UnitedHealthcare
Sign up to reveal the full AI analysis
Category
Ampyra
Purified Cortrophin Gel
At A Glance
Oral
Twice daily
Potassium channel blocker
SC/IM injection
Corticotropin (ACTH)
Indications
- Multiple Sclerosis
- 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
Multiple Sclerosis 10 mg tablet twice daily approximately 12 hours apart; do not exceed 10 mg twice daily; swallow tablets whole; may be taken with or without food.
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
- History of seizure
- Moderate or severe renal impairment (CrCl <=50 mL/min)
- History of hypersensitivity to AMPYRA or 4-aminopyridine, including anaphylaxis
- 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 (>=2%) Urinary tract infection, insomnia, dizziness, headache, nausea, asthenia, back pain, balance disorder, multiple sclerosis relapse, paresthesia, nasopharyngitis, constipation, dyspepsia, pharyngolaryngeal pain
Serious Seizures, anaphylaxis
Postmarketing Vomiting, vertigo
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
Dalfampridine is a broad spectrum potassium channel blocker that increases conduction of action potentials in demyelinated axons through inhibition of potassium channels; the mechanism by which it improves walking in MS has not been fully elucidated.
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
Ampyra
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (1/12) · Qty limit (9/12)
Purified Cortrophin Gel
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (1/12) · Qty limit (0/12)
UnitedHealthcare
Ampyra
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (0/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (1/8)
Purified Cortrophin Gel
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (5/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (0/8)
Humana
Ampyra
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (1/3) · Qty limit (3/3)
Purified Cortrophin Gel
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (3/3) · Qty limit (2/3)
Coverage data sourced from MMIT. Updated monthly.
Savings
Cost estimate not availableAccessia Health: Multiple Sclerosis - Private Insurance: Waitlist
Commercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
No savings programs available for Purified Cortrophin Gel.
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
AmpyraView full Ampyra profile
Purified Cortrophin GelView full Purified Cortrophin Gel profile
Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.