| Multiple Sclerosis
Purified Cortrophin Gel vs Tysabri
Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for multiple sclerosis.Deep comparison between: Purified Cortrophin Gel 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 Purified Cortrophin Gel based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Tysabri but not Purified Cortrophin Gel, including UnitedHealthcare
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Category
Purified Cortrophin Gel
Tysabri
At A Glance
SC/IM injection
Corticotropin (ACTH)
IV infusion
Every 4 weeks
alpha4-integrin antagonist
Indications
- 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
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Crohn Disease
Dosing
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.
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
- 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
- Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), current or historical
- Previous hypersensitivity reaction to TYSABRI, ranging from urticaria to anaphylaxis
Adverse Reactions
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
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
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.
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.
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Most Common Insurance
Anthem BCBS
Purified Cortrophin Gel
- 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
Purified Cortrophin Gel
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (5/8) · 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
Purified Cortrophin Gel
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (3/3) · 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 Purified Cortrophin Gel.
Cost estimate not availableAccessia Health: Multiple Sclerosis - Private Insurance: Waitlist
Commercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
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Purified Cortrophin GelView full Purified Cortrophin Gel profile
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Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.