Friday, March 8, 2013

For MS Relapse - there is ACTHAR (aka- ACTH)


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Welcome, Stuart!
Thanks for requesting information from Questcor.
You may have just been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and are starting to learn about it. Or you may have had MS for awhile and are exploring other treatment options for your relapses. Perhaps you don’t have MS, but it affects your life in some way. Wherever you are in your journey, we are committed to providing you with the information and support you need.
Learn more about Acthar

As a member of the Questcor Community, you’ll receive:
·         Information about Acthar (repository corticotropin injection), an alternative to steroids
o    Helps speed recovery from MS relapses
o    Helps your body produce its own natural steroid hormones
o    Used for over 30 years—one of the first medications approved by the FDA for the treatment of MS relapses
Ask your healthcare provider if Acthar is right for you.
·         Monthly emails that can help you become MS informed, not misinformed
·         Access to stories, featuring personal journeys of people with MS
·         Tips and tools to help you become relapse-ready
·         Access to a free support service for people starting Acthar
·         Opportunities to attend educational events

Thanks again for joining! We look forward to helping you on your quest for information.
–Your Questcor Team
H.P. Acthar® Gel and Questcor® are registered trademarks of Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
©2012 Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  PM-756-00  08/12
This information is intended only for residents of the United States.



Uses
H.P. Acthar® Gel (repository corticotropin injection) is an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) analogue used for:
  • The treatment of exacerbations of multiple sclerosis in adults.
Important Safety Information
Patients, parents, and caregivers should be aware of the important information about H.P. Acthar® Gel.
Acthar should never be given intravenously (into a vein). Acthar should not be used in patients with a skin condition called scleroderma, bone density loss (osteoporosis), infection throughout the body, eye infection called ocular herpes simplex, recent surgery, history of or a current stomach ulcer, heart problems, high blood pressure, or allergy to pig-derived proteins. Tell your doctor about any health problems or medicines.
Acthar may cause side effects similar to side effects that happen due to treatment with steroid medicines. Not all of these side effects have occurred with Acthar but they may occur. Acthar is a medicine that affects a patient's immune system, and therefore patients may be more likely to get new infections, or inactive infections may become active. Acthar has effects on the adrenal gland. When a patient is taking Acthar, their adrenal gland may produce too much of a hormone called cortisol. This can cause symptoms of Cushing's syndrome (upper body fat, rounded face, thin skin), which is more common in patients who take this medicine for a long time. When a patient stops taking Acthar after a long time, the body may not produce enough cortisol on its own (adrenal insufficiency). The doctor may prescribe a steroid medicine to protect the body until the adrenal gland recovers. Do not stop administering Acthar without talking to your doctor first. Your doctor may check your blood pressure during treatment and may instruct you to make some dietary changes. Patients should not receive certain vaccines during treatment with Acthar. Talk to your doctor about which vaccines are safe for use.Acthar may hide (or mask) symptoms of other conditions or diseases and it may be more difficult for your doctor to diagnose other conditions or diseases in you or your child during treatment. The person receiving Acthar has an increased risk for bleeding from the stomach or having a stomach ulcer. Inform your doctor about any pain in the stomach area, bloody vomit, or bloody or black stools. While on Acthar changes in mood and behavior such as irritability, depression, or trouble sleeping, may occur.
Other side effects are possible. Acthar may make certain other medical conditions worse, such as diabetes (may increase blood sugar); cause eye problems, such as cataracts, increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma), and possible damage to the optic nerve; and cause allergic reactions to Acthar (seen as skin rash, swelling of the face, tongue, lips, or throat, and trouble breathing). Acthar may affect growth and physical development after long term use. Long term use of Acthar may cause an increase in the size of the heart, but this condition usually goes away after Acthar is stopped.
The most common side effects of Acthar in infants include: infections, increased blood pressure, irritability and changes in behavior, changes in appetite and weight, diarrhea, and vomiting. Other adverse reactions reported in adults and children over 2 years of age included: abdominal bloating, anxiety, asthma, chest discomfort, congestive heart failure, dizziness, shortness of breath, redness of the face, fluid retention, flushing, headache, injection site pain, tiredness, muscle weakness, nervousness, rapid heart rate and lack of energy. Tell your doctor if there is any side effect that bothers you or your child or that does not go away.
These are not all of the possible side effects of Acthar. For more information, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist, go to www.acthar.com, or call 1-800-465-9217. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
For a full list of indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse events related to Acthar, please refer to the full Prescribing Information.

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