Acthar Gel, H.P.

Generic name: corticotropin [ KOR-ti-koe-TROE-pin ]
Brand names: Acthar Gel, H.P.
Drug class: Corticotropin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on May 27, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is Acthar Gel, H.P.?

Acthar Gel, H.P. is a hormone that is used to treat many different conditions such as multiple sclerosis, psoriatic or rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, severe allergic reactions, breathing disorders, and inflammatory conditions of the eyes.

Acthar Gel, H.P. is also used to treat infantile spasms in children younger than 2 years old.

Acthar Gel, H.P. can reduce the symptoms of many disorders, but it is not a cure for these conditions. This medicine is also not expected to slow the progress of any disease.

Acthar Gel, H.P. may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not use Acthar Gel, H.P. if you have a fungal infection, herpes infection of the eyes, uncontrolled high blood pressure, scleroderma, osteoporosis, adrenal insufficiency (Addison''s disease), a past or present stomach ulcer, congestive heart failure, recent surgery, if you are allergic to pork proteins, or if you are scheduled to receive a vaccine.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Acthar Gel, H.P. if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• a fungal infection anywhere in your body;

• herpes infection of the eyes;

• untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure;

• scleroderma;

• osteoporosis;

• adrenal insufficiency (Addison''s disease);

• a past or present stomach ulcer;

• congestive heart failure;

• if you are allergic to pork proteins;

• if you have recently had surgery; or

• if you are scheduled to receive a vaccine.

Acthar Gel, H.P. can worsen an infection you already have, or reactivate an infection you recently had. Before using Acthar Gel, H.P., tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

Acthar Gel, H.P. should not be used in a child younger than 2 who has an infection that was passed from the mother during pregnancy or childbirth.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• high blood pressure, heart problems;

• liver disease (such as cirrhosis);

• kidney disease;

• a thyroid disorder;

• diabetes;

• tuberculosis;

• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;

• glaucoma or cataracts;

• depression or mental illness;

• a stomach or intestinal disorder; or

• a condition for which you take a diuretic or "water pill."

Acthar Gel, H.P. may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using Acthar Gel, H.P..

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How is Acthar Gel, H.P. given?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Acthar Gel, H.P. is injected into a muscle or under the skin. A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don''t understand all instructions. Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it.

Your dose needs may change during times of stress, serious illness, surgery or medical emergency. Tell your doctor if any of these situations affect you. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor''s advice.

Acthar Gel, H.P. doses are based on body surface area (height and weight). Your dose needs may change if you gain or lose weight or if you are still growing.

In some people, Acthar Gel, H.P. can trigger an immune response to the medicine, making it less effective. Call your doctor if your condition gets worse or if it seems like this medicine does not work as well.

If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests, including bone scans to check for osteoporosis.

You should not stop using Acthar Gel, H.P. suddenly. Follow your doctor''s instructions about tapering your dose.

Store in the refrigerator. Take the medication out of the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature before preparing your dose.

Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of Acthar Gel, H.P..

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Acthar Gel, H.P.?

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Acthar Gel, H.P.. The vaccine may not work as well and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Acthar Gel, H.P. side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; nausea, feeling light-headed; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Acthar Gel, H.P. may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• fever, chills, sore throat, skin warmth or redness, or other signs of an infection;

• unusual changes in mood or behavior;

• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;

• a seizure;

• decreased or increased adrenal gland hormones--changes in weight or appetite, tiredness, muscle weakness, skin discoloration, thinning skin, increased body hair, menstrual changes, loss of appetite, stomach pain;

• high blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;

• high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;

• low potassium level--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling;

• signs of eye infection--swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage; or

• signs of stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Be sure your family, caregivers, and close friends also know how to help you watch for these side effects.

Acthar Gel, H.P. can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using Acthar Gel, H.P..

Common side effects of Acthar Gel, H.P. may include:

• increased blood pressure;

• thinning skin, increased sweating;

• fluid retention (swelling in your hands or feet, puffiness in your face);

• mood changes, irritability;

• increased appetite; or

• weight gain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Acthar Gel, H.P.?

Other drugs may affect Acthar Gel, H.P., including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.01.

ActHIB

Generic name: haemophilus b conjugate (PRP-T) vaccine [ hem-OFF-il-us-B-KON-ju-gate ]
Brand names: ActHIB, Hiberix
Drug class: Bacterial vaccines

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Dec 13, 2021. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is ActHIB?

Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) is a bacteria that can cause serious illness, including breathing problems or meningitis. Hib infection usually affects children and can be fatal.

ActHIB is used to prevent this disease in children, and is sometimes combined with vaccines to protect against other diseases.

ActHIB is given to children between the ages of 2 months to 5 years old. Hiberix is given to children between the ages of 6 weeks to 4 years (prior to fifth birthday).

The vaccine works by exposing your child to a small amount of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body, and will not protect against other types of influenza.

Like any vaccine, haemophilus B conjugate vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if your child uses other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

Before taking this medicine

Your child should not receive this vaccine if he or she has ever had an allergic reaction to a haemophilus B, tetanus, or meningococcal vaccine.

If your child has any of these other conditions, this vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all:

• severe immune suppression caused by disease (such as cancer, HIV, or AIDS), or by receiving certain medicines such as steroids, chemotherapy or radiation; or

• a history of seizures.

How should I receive this vaccine?

This vaccine is injected into a muscle. Your child will receive this injection in a doctor''s office or clinic setting.

This vaccine is given in a series of shots. The first shot is usually given when the child is 2 months old. The other shots are then given at 4 months and 6 months of age. The booster shot is given at 15 to 18 months of age. The first shot may be given as early as 6 weeks of age.

Your child''s individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines, especially if the child does not start this series of shots before 7 months of age. Follow your doctor''s instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.

Your doctor may recommend treating fever and pain with an aspirin free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Follow the label directions or your doctor''s instructions about how much of ActHIB to give your child.

It is especially important to prevent fever from occurring in a child who has a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you will miss a booster dose or if you get behind schedule. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.

Be sure your child receives all recommended doses of this vaccine. If your child does not receive the full series of vaccines, he or she may not be fully protected against the disease.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of this vaccine is not likely to occur.

What should I avoid before or after receiving this vaccine?

Follow your doctor''s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

This vaccine side effects

Get emergency medical help if your child has signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Keep track of any and all side effects your child has after receiving this vaccine. When the child receives a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shot caused any side effects.

Call your doctor at once if your child has:

• a seizure;

• fussiness, irritability, crying for an hour or longer; or

• high fever (within a few hours or a few days after the vaccine).

Common side effects of ActHIB may include:

• fever;

• fussiness, irritability, crying;

• drowsiness;

• loss of appetite; or

• pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

What other drugs will affect this vaccine?

Before receiving this vaccine, tell the vaccination provider about all other vaccines your child has received.

Also, tell the vaccination provider if your child has recently received drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including:

• steroid medicine;

• cancer treatments;

• medicine to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or

• medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection.

If your child is using any of these medications, he or she may not be able to receive the vaccine, or may need to wait until the other treatments are finished.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect this vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.01.