Purified Cortrophin Gel

Purified Cortrophin Gel is indicated in the following disorders:

1. Rheumatic disorders:

 

As adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in:
Psoriatic arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy).
Ankylosing spondylitis.
Acute gouty arthritis.

2. Collagen diseases:

 

During an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of:
Systemic lupus erythematosus.
Systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis).

3. Dermatologic diseases:

 

Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome).
Severe psoriasis.

4. Allergic states:

 

Atopic dermatitis
Serum sickness.

5. Ophthalmic diseases:

 

Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa such as:
Allergic conjunctivitis.
Keratitis.
Iritis and iridocyclitis.
Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis.
Optic neuritis.
Chorioretinitis.
Anterior segment inflammation.

6. Respiratory diseases:

 

Symptomatic sarcoidosis.

7. Edematous states:

 

To induce a diuresis or a remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome without uremia of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus.

8. Nervous system:

 

Acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis.

Standard tests for verification of adrenal responsiveness to corticotropin may utilize as much as 80 units as a single injection or one or more injections of a lesser dosage. Verification tests should be performed prior to treatment with corticotropins. The test should utilize the route(s) of administration proposed for treatment. Following verification dosage should be individualized according to the disease under treatment and the general medical condition of each patient. Frequency and dose of the drug should be determined by considering severity of the disease, plasma and urine corticosteroid levels and the initial response of the patient. Only gradual change in dosage schedules should be attempted, after full drug effects have become apparent.

This product may be administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly with the vial and subcutaneously with the prefilled syringe.

In the treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis daily subcutaneous or intramuscular doses of 80-120 units for 2-3 weeks.

The chronic administration of more than 40 units daily may be associated with uncontrollable adverse effects.

When reduction in dosage is indicated this should be accomplished gradually by either reducing the amount of each injection, or administering injections at longer intervals, or by a combination of both of the above. During reduction of dosage, careful consideration should be given to the disease being treated, the general medical condition of the patient and the duration over which corticotropin was administered.

Important Administration Instructions

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Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit. Purified Cortrophin Gel is a clear, light amber liquid gel at room temperature. Do not use if the solution is discolored or cloudy or the solution contains particulate matter.

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Purified Cortrophin Gel will be a solid gel when refrigerated and needs to be warmed to a liquid gel before administration.

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For Purified Cortrophin Gel vials warm by rolling between your hands for a few minutes.

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For Purified Cortrophin Gel prefilled syringes remove the carton from the refrigerator and leave at room temperature for 45 minutes.

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The recommended injection sites include abdomen, upper thigh, or upper arm. Do not inject within 2 inches of navel.

Information for Patients

Advise patients and/or caregivers to read the FDA-approved patient information (Instructions for Use).

Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances
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 (pseudo-tumor cerebri), usually after treatment.
Headache.
Vertigo.

Endocrine
Menstrual irregularities.
Development of Cushingoid state.
Suppression of growth in children.
Secondary adrenocortical and pituitary insufficiency, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery or illness.
Decreased carbohydrate tolerance.
Manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus.
Increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics.
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 reactions
Allergic reactions manifesting as dizziness, nausea and vomiting, shock, skin reactions, especially in patients with allergic responses to proteins.

Miscellaneous
Weight gain.
Abscess.
Development of antibodies and loss of stimulatory effect.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-308-6755 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Drug Interactions

Aspirin should be used cautiously in conjunction with corticotropin in hypoprothrombinemia.

Purified Cortrophin Gel is a porcine derived purified corticotropin (ACTH) in a sterile solution of gelatin. It is made up of a complex mixture of ACTH, ACTH related peptides and other porcine pituitary derived peptides.

The drug product is a sterile preparation containing 80 USP units per mL and it contains 0.5% phenol (as preservative), 15.0% gelatin (for prolonged activity), water for injection, and the pH is adjusted with hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide.

Purified Cortrophin Gel contains the porcine derived ACTH (1-39) with the following amino acid sequence: