U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Divider Arrow National Institutes of Health Divider Arrow NCATS
Corticotropin is a polypeptide hormone produced and secreted by the pituitary gland. Corticotropin acts through the stimulation of cell surface the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) receptors, which are primarily located on the adrenocortical cells. Corticotropin stimulates the cortex of the adrenal gland and boosts the synthesis of corticosteroids, mainly glucocorticoids but also sex steroids (androgens). Corticotropin is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of exacerbations of multiple sclerosis in adults and infantile spasms in infants and children under 2 years of age. Controlled clinical trials have shown Corticotropin to be effective in speeding the resolution of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis. However, there is no evidence that it affects the ultimate outcome or natural history of the disease. The mechanism of action of Corticotropin in the treatment of infantile spasms is unknown.

Approval Year

Conditions

Conditions

ConditionModalityTargetsHighest PhaseProduct
Primary
ACTHAR

Approved Use

H.P. Acthar Gel is an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) analogue indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of infantile spasms in infants and children under 2 years of age; H.P. Acthar Gel is indicated for the treatment of exacerbations of multiple sclerosis in adults; H.P. Acthar Gel may be used for the following disorders and diseases: rheumatic; collagen; dermatologic; allergic states; ophthalmic; respiratory; and edematous state.

Launch Date

1950
Primary
ACTHAR

Approved Use

H.P. Acthar Gel is an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) analogue indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of infantile spasms in infants and children under 2 years of age; H.P. Acthar Gel is indicated for the treatment of exacerbations of multiple sclerosis in adults; H.P. Acthar Gel may be used for the following disorders and diseases: rheumatic; collagen; dermatologic; allergic states; ophthalmic; respiratory; and edematous state.

Launch Date

1950
PubMed

PubMed

TitleDatePubMed
The role of ether-a-go-go-related gene K(+) channels in glucocorticoid inhibition of adrenocorticotropin release by rat pituitary cells.
2009-01-08
Malignant pituitary corticotroph adenomas: report of two cases and a comprehensive review of the literature.
2009
Partial 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency-clinical report of five Chinese 46,XX cases.
2008-07
Long-term weekly ACTH therapy for relapsed West syndrome.
2008-06
Chronic coadministration of carbamazepine together with imipramine produces antidepressant-like effects in an ACTH-induced animal model of treatment-resistant depression: involvement of 5-HT(2A) receptors?
2008-05
Effects of imipramine and bupropion on the duration of immobility of ACTH-treated rats in the forced swim test: involvement of the expression of 5-HT2A receptor mRNA.
2008-02
Sex specific associations between common glucocorticoid receptor gene variants and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis responses to psychosocial stress.
2007-10-15
Therapeutic efficacy and adverse effects of adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy in west syndrome: differences in dosage of adrenocorticotropic hormone, onset of age, and cause.
2006-04
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation impairs cortisol response to stress in rainbow trout by disrupting the rate-limiting steps in steroidogenesis.
2006-04
Repeated electroconvulsive stimuli increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor in ACTH-treated rats.
2006-01-04
Integrated hemodynamic, hormonal, and renal actions of urocortin 2 in normal and paced sheep: beneficial effects in heart failure.
2005-12-06
Nelson's syndrome due to an intracavernous corticotropin-secreting adenoma.
2004-07-15
Inhibition of CYP17 expression by adrenal androgens and transforming growth factor beta in adrenocortical cells.
2004
Association of exaggerated HPA axis response to the initial injection of interferon-alpha with development of depression during interferon-alpha therapy.
2003-07
Paraventricular nucleus administration of calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibits food intake and stimulates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis.
2003-04
Effects of chronic 'Binge' cocaine administration on plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels in mice deficient in DARPP-32.
1999-09
Activity of adenosine deaminase in red blood cells of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis treated with adrenocorticotropic hormone.
1995-11-01
Magnetic resonance imaging in infantile spasms: effects of hormonal therapy.
1992-03-01
Infantile spasms in COFS syndrome.
1991-07-01
ACTH and vasopressin responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in intact and neurohypophysectomized conscious dogs.
1991-01
A dystonia-like syndrome after neuropeptide (MSH/ACTH) stimulation of the rat locus ceruleus.
1988
[Long-term prognosis of infantile spasms after standard ACTH treatment in Japan].
1986-09
Cerebral blood flow and brain shrinkage seen on CT during ACTH therapy.
1986
Administration of ACTH to suckling rats results in hyperkinetic behavior.
1986
Suppressive action of ACTH on growth hormone secretion in patients with infantile spasms.
1985
Acute-onset transient hydrocephalus after suspension of ACTH therapy for infantile spasms: a case report.
1984-06
'Dystonia'-like postural asymmetry after microinjection of ACTH N-terminal fragments but not after ACTH1-39 in rat brainstem suggests role of neuropeptide mutation in genetic movement disorder.
1984-02-27
Sequential CT studies of 24 children with infantile spasms on ACTH therapy.
1983-08
[Collateral transient behavioural changes during ACTH therapy in infantile generalized epilepsy (author's transl)].
1981-03-01
Aicardi's syndrome: are corticosteroids teratogens?
1981-01
Transient brain shrinkage in infantile spasms after ACTH treatment. Report of two cases.
1980-02
Cerebral atrophy following ACTH therapy.
1980-02
Reversible cerebral atrophy and corticotrophin.
1979-07-28
Steroid myopathy complicating McArdle's disease.
1970-02
[Neuropsychiatric complications caused by cortisone and ACTH. (Clinico-social considerations)].
1968-04-01
Some observations on the hazards of corticosteroid therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
1967-03-01
Complications of corticotropin therapy in multiple sclerosis.
1966-07-18
[SYNDROME OF INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION CAUSED BY TREATMENT WITH CORTICOTROPIN].
1964-01-31

Sample Use Guides

The usual dose of Corticotropin is 40-80 units given intramuscularly or subcutaneously every 24-72 hours.
Route of Administration: Other
Substance Class Protein
Created
by admin
on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025
Edited
by admin
on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025
Protein Sub Type
Sequence Type COMPLETE
Record UNII
L0378Q1565
Record Status Validated (UNII)
Record Version
  • Download
Name Type Language
CORTICOTROPIN-ZINC HYDROXIDE
ORANGE BOOK  
Preferred Name English
Corticotropin zinc hydroxide
INN   WHO-DD  
INN  
Official Name English
corticotropin zinc hydroxide [INN]
Common Name English
CORTICOTROPIN-ZINC HYDROXIDE [ORANGE BOOK]
Common Name English
Corticotropin zinc hydroxide [WHO-DD]
Common Name English
Code System Code Type Description
EPA CompTox
DTXSID60238185
Created by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
EVMPD
SUB01466MIG
Created by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
SMS_ID
100000087982
Created by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
FDA UNII
L0378Q1565
Created by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
PUBCHEM
16132264
Created by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
IUPHAR
6967
Created by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
NCI_THESAURUS
C169866
Created by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
INN
471
Created by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
CAS
9050-75-3
Created by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Tue Apr 01 19:52:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
Related Record Type Details
STARTING MATERIAL -> INGREDIENT
Related Record Type Details
ACTIVE MOIETY

Agent Modifications

Modification Process Modification Role Modification Type Amount Fragment Name Fragment ID
PEPTIDE ADSORBED ADSORBENT CHEMICAL ZINC HYDROXIDE OXK3V8KJ7L
Name Property Type Amount Referenced Substance Defining Parameters References
Molecular Formula CHEMICAL
MOL_WEIGHT:NUMBER(CALCULATED) CHEMICAL