| Multiple Sclerosis
Avonex vs Purified Cortrophin Gel
Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for multiple sclerosis.Deep comparison between: Avonex 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 Avonex based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Purified Cortrophin Gel but not Avonex, including UnitedHealthcare
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Category
Avonex
Purified Cortrophin Gel
At A Glance
IM injection
Once weekly
Interferon beta
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 30 micrograms once weekly by IM injection; may titrate starting at 7.5 micrograms in week 1, increasing by 7.5 micrograms weekly for 3 weeks to reach the recommended 30 microgram dose.
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 hypersensitivity to natural or recombinant interferon beta or any other component of the formulation
- History of hypersensitivity to albumin (human) [lyophilized vial formulation only]
- 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 (>=5% more than placebo) Flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, myalgia, asthenia
Serious Depression, hepatic injury, anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions, injection site necrosis, congestive heart failure, decreased peripheral blood counts, thrombotic microangiopathy, pulmonary arterial hypertension, seizures, autoimmune disorders
Postmarketing Hemolytic anemia, menorrhagia and metrorrhagia, pulmonary arterial hypertension, rash including vesicular rash, injection site abscess or cellulitis
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
Interferon beta-1a is a recombinant type I interferon that binds to specific receptors on human cell surfaces, initiating a cascade of intracellular events leading to expression of interferon-induced gene products; its mechanism of action in multiple sclerosis is unknown.
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
Avonex
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (9/12) · Step Therapy (1/12) · Qty limit (0/12)
Purified Cortrophin Gel
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (1/12) · Qty limit (0/12)
UnitedHealthcare
Avonex
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (6/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (4/8)
Purified Cortrophin Gel
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (5/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (0/8)
Humana
Avonex
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (1/3) · Step Therapy (0/3) · Qty limit (1/3)
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.
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Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.