Synacthen

How does it work?

Tetracosactide (previously known as tetracosactrin in the UK) is a synthetic analogue of the naturally-occurring hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). In the normal situation, ACTH is released from the pituitary gland in the brain. It acts on the adrenal glands to stimulate the production of steroid hormones (glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, and, to a lesser extent, androgens (male sex hormones. If the adrenal glands are healthy, a single injection of tetracosactide results in a rise in blood cortisol (hydrocortisone) concentrations in 30 minutes. If the adrenal glands appear not to be working then tetracosactide injection can be given to check whether the problem is due to diseased or damaged adrenals or due to lack of pituitary ACTH. This injection is used for diagnostic purposes only. It suitable for treatment of adrenal insufficiency.

What is it used for?

Adrenal function testing

Warning!

This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.

Rarely, anaphylaxis may develop. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction of rapid onset, causing the patient to collapse and require emergency treatment.

Not to be used in

Allergic conditions such as hay fever; itchy rash; reactions to food, insect bites or medicines

Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient

Previous allergic reaction to the medicine

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine should be used with caution by breastfeeding mothers, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Vomiting

Nausea

Dizziness

Flushing

Pain, swelling and discomfort at injection site

Difficulty in breathing (dyspnoea)

Itching (pruritis)

Acute allergic reaction with rash (urticaria) and tightening of airways (bronchospasm)

Severe swelling of lips, face or tongue (angioedema)

A general feeling of being unwell (malaise)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

There are no reported interactions with this injection.

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