What is Acthar Gel: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Acthar Gel

• Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

• Injection routeIf you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

• Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin or into one of your muscles.

• Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

• Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

• Injection routeYou will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.

• Allow this medicine to warm to room temperature before using it.

• Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

• Injection routeIf you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

• Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin or into one of your muscles.

• Injection routeYou will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.

• Allow this medicine to warm to room temperature before using it.

• Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

• Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

• Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

What to do if you miss a dose of Acthar Gel

Acthar Gel contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to corticotropin or pork proteins, or if you have adrenal gland problems, heart failure, peptic ulcer, osteoporosis, scleroderma, any type of infection (including a fungal infection, herpes simplex eye infection), uncontrolled high blood pressure, or if you have had recent surgery.

Acthar Gel warnings

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, stomach or bowel problems (including ulcer), high blood pressure, thyroid problems, diabetes, bone problems, Cushing syndrome, myasthenia gravis, glaucoma, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, or a history of depression or mental illness.

• This medicine may cause the following problems: Adrenal gland problemsChanges in mood or behaviorCataracts or glaucoma (with long-term use)Lower bone density, which may lead to osteoporosis (with long-term use)High blood pressureStomach or bowel bleeding or perforation (tear or hole)Slow growth in children (with long-term use)

• This medicine could cause you to get infections more easily. Tell your doctor right away if you are exposed to chicken pox, measles, or another serious infection. Tell your doctor if you had a serious infection in the past, including tuberculosis or herpes.

• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Seizures

• Severe stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, red or black stools, vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds

• Vision changes, eye pain, seeing halos around lights, headache

Acthar Gel interactions

• Some medicines can affect how corticotropin works. Tell your doctor if you are using a diuretic (water pill).

• This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.

• This medicine could cause you to get infections more easily. Tell your doctor right away if you are exposed to chicken pox, measles, or another serious infection. Tell your doctor if you had a serious infection in the past, such as tuberculosis or herpes.

• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.