| Rheumatoid Arthritis

Purified Cortrophin Gel vs Xeljanz

Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for rheumatoid arthritis.
Deep comparison between: Purified Cortrophin Gel vs Xeljanz 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 signalsXeljanz 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 Xeljanz but not Purified Cortrophin Gel, including UnitedHealthcare
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Purified Cortrophin Gel
Xeljanz
At A Glance
SC/IM injection
Corticotropin (ACTH)
Oral
Twice daily
JAK inhibitor
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
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Arthritis, Psoriatic
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Juvenile polyarthritis
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.
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Arthritis, Psoriatic, Ankylosing spondylitis Adults: 5 mg twice daily (XELJANZ) or 11 mg once daily (XELJANZ XR).
Ulcerative Colitis Induction: 10 mg twice daily or 22 mg once daily for at least 8 weeks (up to 16 weeks); maintenance: 5 mg twice daily or 11 mg once daily.
Juvenile polyarthritis Weight-based dosing in pediatric patients >=2 years weighing >=10 kg; patients >=40 kg: 5 mg twice daily.
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
—
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 (>=2%) Upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, diarrhea, headache, hypertension.
Serious Serious infections (pneumonia, cellulitis, herpes zoster, urinary tract infection), malignancy, thrombosis, major adverse cardiovascular events, gastrointestinal perforations.
Postmarketing Drug hypersensitivity (angioedema, urticaria), acne.
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.
Tofacitinib is a JAK inhibitor that blocks JAK1/JAK2, JAK1/JAK3, and JAK2/JAK2 signaling, preventing phosphorylation and activation of STATs to modulate immune cell function and hematopoiesis.
Enter your patient's insuranceCheck specific coverage details for your patient.
Most Common Insurance
Anthem BCBS
Purified Cortrophin Gel
  • Covered on 5 commercial plans
  • PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (1/12) · Qty limit (0/12)
View full coverage details ›
Xeljanz
  • Covered on 5 commercial plans
  • PA (12/12) · Step Therapy (12/12) · Qty limit (11/12)
View full coverage details ›
UnitedHealthcare
Purified Cortrophin Gel
  • Covered on 4 commercial plans
  • PA (5/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (0/8)
View full coverage details ›
Xeljanz
  • Covered on 4 commercial plans
  • PA (8/8) · Step Therapy (8/8) · Qty limit (8/8)
View full coverage details ›
Humana
Purified Cortrophin Gel
  • Covered on 0 commercial plans
  • PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (3/3) · Qty limit (2/3)
View full coverage details ›
Xeljanz
  • Covered on 0 commercial plans
  • PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (3/3) · Qty limit (3/3)
View full coverage details ›
Coverage data sourced from MMIT. Updated monthly.
Savings
No savings programs available for Purified Cortrophin Gel.
No savings programs available for Xeljanz.
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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.