Cosyntropin

ACTH is available as a synthetic derivative in the form of cosyntropin (synthetic ACTH), tradename Cortrosyn®.

It contains the first 24 amino acids of ACTH but retains full function.

In patients with low cortisol levels or symptoms of adrencortical insufficiency, cosyntropin can be used to diagnose Addison's disease. A failure for serum cortisol levels to increase after administration of cosyntropin makes a diagnosis of primary adrenocortical insufficiency more likely. An increase in cortisol upon administration of cosyntropin rules out the condition.