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Cortrosyn

Cosyntropin · Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, for Solution

Prescription NDA TE AP RLD Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information. Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch.

Overview

Brand name
Cortrosyn
Generic name
Cosyntropin
Dosage form
Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, for Solution
Route
Intramuscular
Marketing category
NDA · NDA
Labeler
Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
1
NDC product codes
3
Packages
3
Data completeness
76% of corroborating sources present

Active ingredients

Source: NDC Directory
Active ingredients and strengths as listed in the NDC Directory.
Ingredient Strength RxCUI Monograph
Cosyntropin .25 mg/mL — View

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, for Solution
Route of administration
Intramuscular
Presentations
6

Pharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.

Pharmacologic class

Source: NDC Directory
Established pharmacologic classes (EPC), mechanisms of action (MoA), chemical structures (CS) and physiologic effects (PE).
Class Type Browse
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone [CS] CS 4 members — no class page
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone [EPC] EPC 4 members — no class page

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
016750
Application type
NDA · New Drug Application
Approval date
April 22, 1970
Sponsor
AMPHASTAR PHARMS INC
Products on application
1
Submissions recorded
20
Products approved under application 016750.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
016750-001 CORTROSYN INJECTABLE COSYNTROPIN Prescription AP RLD RS

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
AP
Reference Listed Drug
Yes
Reference Standard
Yes

What this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated (parenteral aqueous solutions)

Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 016750.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Supplement 33 Labeling Approved December 22, 2023 Standard
Supplement 32 Labeling Approved December 14, 2021 Standard
Supplement 28 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved September 29, 2014 Standard
Supplement 18 Labeling Approved November 5, 2002 Standard
Supplement 17 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved December 7, 2000 Standard
Supplement 16 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved March 18, 1999 Standard
Supplement 15 Labeling Approved January 9, 1998 Standard
Supplement 13 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved April 8, 1997 Standard
Supplement 14 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved January 29, 1997 Standard
Supplement 12 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved February 18, 1994 Standard
Supplement 10 Labeling Approved April 28, 1989 —
Supplement 9 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved October 28, 1988 Standard
Supplement 8 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved May 9, 1988 Standard
Supplement 6 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved May 8, 1987 Standard
Supplement 7 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved February 26, 1987 Standard
Supplement 5 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved February 10, 1987 Standard
Supplement 4 Labeling Approved April 2, 1986 —
Supplement 3 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved October 26, 1982 Standard
Supplement 2 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved April 28, 1982 Standard
Original application 1 Type 1 - New Molecular Entity Approved April 22, 1970 Standard

Review documents

  • 0 · Supplement · December 27, 2023
  • 0 · Supplement · December 27, 2023
  • 0 · Supplement · December 16, 2021
  • 0 · Supplement · December 16, 2021
  • 0 · Supplement · November 8, 2002

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20250617). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20250617 HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20250130 HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20240412

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

INDICATIONS AND USAGE CORTROSYN ® (cosyntropin) for Injection is intended for use as a diagnostic agent in the screening of patients presumed to have adrenocortical insufficiency. Because of its rapid effect on the adrenal cortex it may be utilized to perform a 30-minute test of adrenal function (plasma cortisol response) as an office or outpatient procedure, using only 2 venipunctures (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION section). Severe hypofunction of the pituitary - adrenal axis is usually associated with subnormal plasma cortisol values but a low basal level is not per se evidence of adrenal insufficiency and does not suffice to make the diagnosis. Many patients with proven insufficiency will have normal basal levels and will develop signs of insufficiency only when stressed. For this reason a criterion which should be used in establishing the diagnosis is the failure to respond to adequate corticotropin stimulation. When presumptive adrenal insufficiency is diagnosed by a subnormal CORTROSYN ® test, further studies are indicated to determine if it is primary or secondary. Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease) is the result of an intrinsic disease process, such as tuberculosis within the gland. The production of adrenocortical hormones is deficient despite high ACTH levels (feedback mechanism). Secondary or relative insufficiency arises as the result of defective production of ACTH leading in turn to disuse atrophy of the adrenal cortex. It is commonly seen, for example, as result of corticosteroid therapy, Sheehan’s syndrome and pituitary tumors or ablation. The differentiation of both types is based on the premise that a primarily defective gland cannot be stimulated by ACTH whereas a secondarily defective gland is potentially functional and will respond to adequate stimulation with ACTH. Patients selected for further study as the result of a subnormal CORTROSYN ® test should be given a 3 or 4 day course of treatment with Repository Corticotropin Injection USP and then retested. Suggested doses are 40 USP units twice daily for 4 days or 60 USP units twice daily for 3 days. Under these conditions little or no increase in plasma cortisol levels will be seen in Addison’s disease whereas higher or even normal levels will be seen in cases with secondary adrenal insufficiency.

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION CORTROSYN ® (cosyntropin) for Injection may be administered intramuscularly or as a direct intravenous injection when used as a rapid screening test of adrenal function. It may also be given as an intravenous infusion over a 4 to 8 hour period to provide a greater stimulus to the adrenal glands. Doses of CORTROSYN ® 0.25 to 0.75 mg have been used in clinical studies and a maximal response noted with the smallest dose. A suggested method for a rapid screening test of adrenal function has been described by Wood and Associates (1). A control blood sample of 6 to 7 mL is collected in a heparinized tube. Reconstitute 0.25 mg of CORTROSYN ® with 1mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP to obtain a concentration of 0.25 mg/mL CORTROSYN ® and inject intramuscularly. The reconstituted drug product should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to injection. Reconstituted CORTROSYN ® should not be retained. In the pediatric population, aged 2 years or less, a dose of 0.125 mg will often suffice. A second blood sample is collected exactly 30 minutes later. Both blood samples should be refrigerated until sent to the laboratory for determination of the plasma cortisol response by some appropriate method. If it is not possible to send them to the laboratory or perform the fluorimetric procedure within 12 hours, then the plasma should be separated and refrigerated or frozen according to need. Two alternative methods of administration are intravenous injection and infusion. CORTROSYN ® can be injected intravenously in 2 to 5 mL of saline over a 2-minute period. When given as an intravenous infusion: CORTROSYN ® , 0.25 mg may be added to glucose or saline solutions and given at the rate of approximately 40 micrograms per hour over a 6-hour period. It should not be added to blood or plasma as it is apt to be inactivated by enzymes. Adrenal response may be measured in the usual manner by determining urinary steroid excretion before and after treatment or by measuring plasma cortisol levels before and at the end of the infusion. The latter is preferable because the urinary steroid excretion does not always accurately reflect the adrenal or plasma cortisol response to ACTH. The usual normal response in most cases is an approximate doubling of the basal level, provided that the basal level does not exceed the normal range. Patients receiving cortisone, hydrocortisone or spironolactone should omit their pre-test doses on the day selected for testing. Patients taking inadvertent doses of cortisone or hydrocortisone on the test day and patients taking spironolactone or women taking drugs which contain estrogen may exhibit abnormally high basal plasma cortisol levels. A paradoxical response may be noted in the cortisone or hydrocortisone group as seen in a decrease in plasma cortisol values following a stimulating dose of CORTROSYN ® . In the spironolactone or estrogen group only a normal incremental response is to be expected. Many patients with normal adrenal function, however, do not respond to the expected degree so that the following criteria have been established to denote a normal response: 1. The control plasma cortisol level should exceed 5 micrograms/100 mL. 2. The 30-minute level should show an increment of at least 7 micrograms/100 mL above the basal level. 3. The 30-minute level should exceed 18 micrograms/100 mL. Comparable figures have been reported by Greig and co-workers (2). Plasma cortisol levels usually peak about 45 to 60 minutes after an injection of CORTROSYN ® and some prefer the 60-minute interval for testing for this reason. While it is true that the 60-minute values are usually higher than the 30-minute values, the difference may not be significant enough in most cases to outweigh the disadvantage of a longer testing period. If the 60-minute test period is used, the criterion for a normal response is an approximate doubling of the basal plasma cortisol value. In patient …

Dosage Forms and Strengths

openFDA Drug Labeling

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS For Injection: 0.25 mg of cosyntropin as a lyophilized powder in a single-dose vial for reconstitution. For injection: 0.25 mg of cosyntropin as a lyophilized powder in single-dose vial for reconstitution (3)

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS CORTROSYN is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to cosyntropin or to any excipients of CORTROSYN. Reactions have included anaphylaxis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. CORTROSYN is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to cosyntropin or to any excipients of CORTROSYN. Reactions have included anaphylaxis. (4, 5.1)

Warnings and Cautions

openFDA Drug Labeling

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypersensitivity : reactions including anaphylaxis have been reported. Monitor patients for hypersensitivity reactions and treat as needed. (5.1) Diagnostic Inaccuracies : Cortisol levels and subsequent diagnosis of adrenocortical insufficiency following CORTROSYN administration may be inaccurate if patients are on certain medications because of their effect on cortisol or cortisol binding globulin levels. Any condition that elevates or lowers cortisol binding globulin levels may increase or decrease plasma total cortisol levels, respectively. (2.1, 5.2, 7) 5.1 Hypersensitivity to CORTROSYN Injection CORTROSYN injection hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis have been reported. Monitor patients for hypersensitivity reactions and treat as needed. 5.2 Diagnostic Inaccuracies Cortisol levels and subsequent diagnosis of adrenocortical insufficiency following CORTROSYN administration may be inaccurate if patients are on certain medications because of their effect on cortisol or cortisol binding globulin levels. Glucocorticoids and spironolactone may result in falsely elevated cortisol levels. Stop these drugs on the day of CORTROSYN testing. Long-acting glucocorticoids may need to be stopped for a longer period before CORTROSYN testing [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Drug Interactions (7)]. Estrogen-containing drugs increase cortisol binding globulin levels which can increase plasma total cortisol levels. To obtain accurate plasma total cortisol levels, stop estrogen containing drugs four to six weeks before CORTROSYN testing to allow cortisol binding globulin levels to return to levels within the reference range [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Drug Interactions (7)]. Alternatively, concomitant measurement of cortisol binding globulin at the time of testing can be done; if cortisol binding globulin levels are elevated, plasma total cortisol levels are considered inaccurate. Any condition that elevates or lowers cortisol binding globulin levels may increase or decrease plasma total cortisol levels, respectively. Cortisol binding globulin levels can be low in cirrhosis or nephrotic syndrome. Measure cortisol binding globulin levels as necessary to ensure accuracy of interpretation of plasma total cortisol levels.

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

ADVERSE REACTIONS Since CORTROSYN ® (cosyntropin) for Injection is intended for diagnostic and not therapeutic use, adverse reactions other than a rare hypersensitivity reaction are not anticipated. A rare hypersensitivity reaction usually associated with a pre-existing allergic disease and/or a previous reaction to natural ACTH is possible. Symptoms may include slight whealing with splotchy erythema at the injection site. There have been rare reports of anaphylactic reaction. The following adverse reactions have been reported in patients after the administration of CORTROSYN ® and the association has been neither confirmed nor refuted: ● bradycardia ● tachycardia ● hypertension ● peripheral edema ● rash

Drug Interactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

7 Drug Interactions 7.1 Drug Effects on Plasma Cortisol Levels Accuracy of the test results can be affected by concomitant medications. Plasma cortisol levels and subsequent diagnosis of adrenocortical insufficiency following CORTROSYN administration may be inaccurate if patients are on certain medications because of their effect on cortisol or cortisol binding globulin levels [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. Glucocorticoids and spironolactone: May falsely elevate plasma cortisol levels. Stop these drugs on the day of CORTROSYN testing. Long-acting glucocorticoids may need to be stopped for a longer period before CORTROSYN testing. Estrogen: May elevate plasma total cortisol levels. Stop estrogen containing drugs 4 to 6 weeks before CORTROSYN testing to allow cortisol binding globulin levels to return to levels within the reference range. Alternatively, concomitant measurement of cortisol binding globulin at the time of testing can be done; if cortisol binding globulin levels are elevated, plasma total cortisol levels are considered inaccurate. Drug effects on plasma cortisol levels: ◦ Accuracy of the test results can be affected by concomitant medications.◦ Glucocorticoids and spironolactone: May falsely elevate plasma cortisol levels. Stop these drugs on day of CORTROSYN testing. Long-acting glucocorticoids may need to be stopped for a longer period before CORTROSYN testing. (7)◦ Estrogen: May elevate plasma total cortisol levels. Stop estrogen containing drugs 4 to 6 weeks before CORTROSYN testing. (7) See 17 for PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION Revised 12/2023

Use in Specific Populations

openFDA Drug Labeling

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from case reports over decades of use with cosyntropin during pregnancy have not identified an increased risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Unidentified adrenal insufficiency can result in adverse maternal or fetal outcomes (see Clinical Considerations). The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk for major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Unidentified adrenal insufficiency during pregnancy can result in maternal and/or fetal death; therefore, the diagnosis of suspected adrenal insufficiency during pregnancy should not be delayed. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of cosyntropin in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for CORTROSYN and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from CORTROSYN or from the underlying maternal condition. 8.4 Pediatric Use CORTROSYN is approved for use in pediatric patients [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

11 Description Cosyntropin is an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Cosyntropin is synthetic beta 1 - 24 corticotropin, a synthetic subunit of ACTH. It is an open chain polypeptide containing, the first 24 of the 39 amino acids of natural ACTH in sequence from N terminal. The sequence of amino acids in the 1 - 24 compound is as follows: The empirical formula is C 136 H 210 N 40 O 31 S with a molecular weight of 2934 g/mol. CORTROSYN (cosyntropin) for Injection is a sterile lyophilized powder in single-dose vials containing 0.25 mg of cosyntropin and 10 mg of mannitol. Sodium Hydroxide and Glacial acetic acid may be used to adjust pH. Image2.jpg

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

16 How Supplied/Storage and Handling How Supplied CORTROSYN (cosyntropin) for injection 0.25 mg, in a single-dose vial for reconstitution. Box contains 10 single-dose vials NDC 0548-5900-00 Storage and Handling Store at 20o to 25oC (68o to 77oF); excursions permitted between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. CORTROSYN injection is intended as a single-dose injection and contains no antimicrobial preservative. Any unused portion should be discarded. Product repackaged by: Henry Schein, Inc., Bastian, VA 24314 From Original Manufacturer/Distributor's NDC and Unit of Sale To Henry Schein Repackaged Product NDC and Unit of Sale Total Strength/Total Volume (Concentration) per unit NDC 0548-5900-00 Box of 10 vials NDC 0404-9839-99 1 Vial in a bag (Vial bears NDC 0548-5900-00) 0.25 mg

Adverse event reports

Source: openFDA FAERS
217
FAERS reports mentioning this drug
as of 2026-09-25T03:42:24+00:00
A report count is not a risk measure. FAERS accepts voluntary and mandatory reports without establishing causation, and reporting is influenced by how widely a drug is used, how long it has been marketed, and media attention. FDA states that reports “do not prove that the drug caused the event”. Compare rates, not totals.

Attributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: COSYNTROPIN. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
0548-5900-00 0548-5900 Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 10 VIAL in 1 CARTON (0548-5900-00) / 1 mL in 1 VIAL August 1, 2003
0404-9839-99 0404-9839 Henry Schein, Inc. 1 VIAL in 1 BAG (0404-9839-99) / 1 mL in 1 VIAL January 9, 2022
71872-7318-1 71872-7318 Medical Purchasing Solutions, LLC 1 VIAL in 1 BAG (71872-7318-1) / 1 mL in 1 VIAL January 1, 2024
0548-5900 0548-5900 Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — August 1, 2003
0404-9839 0404-9839 Henry Schein, Inc. — January 9, 2022
71872-7318 71872-7318 Medical Purchasing Solutions, LLC — August 1, 2003

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Orange Book FDA Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
FAERS FDA Adverse event report counts

Generated September 25, 2026 · 11 sections on this page.