| Nephrotic Syndrome
Acthar vs Furoscix
Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for nephrotic syndrome.Deep comparison between: Acthar vs Furoscix 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 signalsFuroscix has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Acthar based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Furoscix but not Acthar, including UnitedHealthcare
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Category
Acthar
Furoscix
At A Glance
IM or SC injection
Corticotropin analog
SC injection
Loop diuretic
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
- Edema
- Chronic heart failure
- Chronic Kidney Diseases
- Nephrotic Syndrome
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.
Edema, Chronic heart failure, Chronic Kidney Diseases, Nephrotic Syndrome 30 mg subcutaneously over the first hour followed by 12.5 mg per hour for the subsequent 4 hours (total 80 mg) via On-body Infusor applied to the abdomen; not for chronic use, replace with oral diuretics as soon as practical.
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
- Anuria
- History of hypersensitivity to furosemide, any component of the FUROSCIX formulation, or medical adhesives
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
Serious fluid, electrolyte, and metabolic abnormalities, ototoxicity, anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions, aplastic anemia, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, interstitial nephritis, necrotizing angiitis
Other reported pancreatitis, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, hearing loss, vertigo, dizziness, headache, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, rash, erythema multiforme, orthostatic hypotension, injection site erythema and pain, muscle spasm, restlessness
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.
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that primarily inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in the proximal and distal tubules and the loop of Henle, producing high-degree diuresis independent of carbonic anhydrase inhibition or aldosterone.
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)
Furoscix
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (5/12) · Qty limit (9/12)
UnitedHealthcare
Acthar
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (1/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (0/8)
Furoscix
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (5/8) · Step Therapy (4/8) · Qty limit (4/8)
Humana
Acthar
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (2/3) · Qty limit (2/3)
Furoscix
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (2/3) · Step Therapy (2/3) · Qty limit (0/3)
Coverage data sourced from MMIT. Updated monthly.
Savings
No savings programs available for Acthar.
No savings programs available for Furoscix.
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Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.