DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Cosyntropin (koe-sin-TROE-pin)
Brand Name: Cortrosyn

Cortrosyn is used for:

Helping doctors diagnose adrenal gland problems (eg, Addison disease, insufficiency due to steroid use, tumors). It may also be used to treat long-term medical conditions that produce swelling that may respond to corticosteroids.

Cortrosyn is a man-made (synthetic) portion of the natural hormone corticotropin (ACTH). It works by stimulating the adrenal cortex to produce and secrete adrenocortical hormones.

Do NOT use Cortrosyn if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Cortrosyn

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Cortrosyn :

Some medical conditions may interact with Cortrosyn . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have kidney disease

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Cortrosyn . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Carbamazepine because the effectiveness of Cortrosyn may be decreased
• Itraconazole because the actions and side effects of Cortrosyn may be increased
• Live vaccines or ritodrine because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Cortrosyn may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Cortrosyn :

Use Cortrosyn as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Cortrosyn is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Cortrosyn at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• If Cortrosyn contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Cortrosyn , contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Cortrosyn .

Important safety information:

• Cortrosyn may cause dizziness or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Cortrosyn . Using Cortrosyn alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Cortrosyn during pregnancy. It is unknown if Cortrosyn is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Cortrosyn , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Cortrosyn :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Redness or swelling at the injection site.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision; dizziness; headache; irregular heartbeat; severe swelling.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Cortrosyn :

Store Cortrosyn at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Use the contents of the vial promptly after opening. Discard any unused medicine. Keep Cortrosyn out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Cortrosyn , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Cortrosyn is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Cortrosyn . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.