Hormone · FDA Approved
Cosyntropin (Cortrosyn)
FDA-approved
01 · Overview
A synthetic peptide consisting of the first 24 amino acids of the 39-amino acid adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Cosyntropin reproduces the adrenal-stimulating activity of native ACTH and is used as a diagnostic agent in the ACTH (corticotropin) stimulation test to evaluate adrenal gland function.
It binds to the MC2R receptor on adrenocortical cells, activating steroidogenesis.
02 · Research summary & key findings
FDA-approved (Cortrosyn and generics) as a diagnostic agent in screening for adrenocortical insufficiency. The Endocrine Society recommends the short corticotropin test as the gold-standard diagnostic tool for primary adrenal insufficiency (PMID 26760044). A meta-analysis found standard-dose and low-dose ACTH stimulation tests had similar diagnostic accuracy and are adequate to rule in, but not rule out, secondary adrenal insufficiency (PMID 26649617). A peak cortisol of about 18 mcg/dL has been the traditional diagnostic threshold, but studies using newer, more specific cortisol assays support lower assay-specific cutoffs (PMID 34498295).
03 · Regulatory status
Cosyntropin (Cortrosyn) has received FDA approval and is available for clinical use under appropriate medical supervision. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for prescribing information.
Cosyntropin (Cortrosyn) is an FDA-approved medicine prescribed for the conditions on its label. It is not part of our intake, so we do not propose protocols for it. If you think it may be relevant to you, talk to your own doctor. How to ask your doctor.
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04 · Administration routes
- Intravenous
- Intramuscular injection
References
- [1]ACTH Stimulation Tests for the Diagnosis of Adrenal Insufficiency: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2016. PMID 26649617
- [2]Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Adrenal Insufficiency: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2016. PMID 26760044
- [3]The biochemical diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency with modern cortisol assays: Reappraisal in the setting of opioid exposure and hospitalization Clin Endocrinol (Oxf), 2022. PMID 34498295
Primary literature
- PubMed: "Cosyntropin"
Peer-reviewed literature indexed by the National Library of Medicine.
- ClinicalTrials.gov: "Cosyntropin"
Registered interventional and observational studies, including status and phase.
- PubChem: "Cosyntropin"
Chemical structure, molecular properties, and bioactivity data.
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