Tetracosactide (cosyntropin) 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.
Tetracosacatide has also been used therapeutically for most of the conditions in which systemic corticosteroid therapy is indicated.
For diagnostic purposes tetracosactide acetate is used intramuscularly or intravenously as a plain injection in the first instance, then, if results are inconclusive, intramuscularly as a long-acting depot injection.
Uses: Diagnosis of adrenocortical insufficiency. As alternative to systemic corticosteroid therapy.