Cosyntropin, Injection

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is given by injection to help diagnose adrenal gland problems.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: corticosteroid; diagnostic agent

Generic and brand names: cosyntropin, injection; Cortrosyn

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shots) to test the part of the adrenal gland that makes hormones and to help diagnose adrenal gland problems.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by a healthcare provider. This medicine may be given into a muscle or into a vein (IV infusion).

What should I watch out for?

Certain medicines may interfere with the results of this test. Tell all healthcare providers about the medicines you are taking.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Swelling of the ankles or legs; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; rash.

Other: Redness or swelling at the injection site.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Corticosteroids such as cortisone and hydrocortisone (A-Hydrocort, Cortef)
• Diuretics (water pills) such as bumetanide, chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone, furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), indapamide, metolazone (Zaroxolyn), spironolactone (Aldactone), and torsemide (Demadex)
• Hormonal birth control implants, IUDs, patches, pills, shots, and vaginal rings, and hormones such as estradiol (Climara, Estrace, Estraderm, Vivelle), and estrogens such as Cenestin, Estinyl, Estratab, FemPatch, and Premarin

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.