Peptide Schedule
ACTH (Cosyntropin/Cortrosyn)24 residuesSYSMEHFRWGKPVGKKRRPVKVYPEach bubble = one amino acid. Size = residue mass. Color = chemical class.ACTH (Cosyntropin/Cortrosyn) Dosage Calculator
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is a critical endocrine peptide synthesized and secreted by corticotroph cells in the anterior pituitary gland.
250mcg · Single dose
Summary: Add 0mL BAC water to your 0.25mg vial. Draw to < 0.1 units on a U-100 syringe for a 250mcg dose. This vial will last 0 doses.
Cycle Planner
ACTH (Cosyntropin/Cortrosyn) Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics — Active Dose Over Time
t½ = ~15 minutesDisclaimer: This curve is a simplified first-order exponential decay model. Actual pharmacokinetics vary based on injection site, individual metabolism, body composition, and other factors. Half-life values are approximate and based on available preclinical and clinical literature. Many research peptides lack formal human pharmacokinetic studies. This is for educational purposes only — not medical advice.
ACTH (Cosyntropin/Cortrosyn) Dosing Protocol
| Level | Dose / Injection | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 250mcg | Single dose |
| Moderate | 250mcg | Single dose |
| Aggressive | 250mcg | Single dose |
Note: ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) is a 39-amino-acid peptide produced by the anterior pituitary gland. Cosyntropin is a synthetic analog consisting of the first 24 amino acids of native ACTH, which retains full biological activity at the adrenal cortex. It is FDA-approved exclusively as a diagnostic agent for screening adrenocortical insufficiency (Addison's disease, secondary adrenal insufficiency). The standard diagnostic dose is 0.25 mg (250 mcg) administered IV or IM, with cortisol measured at baseline and 30-60 minutes post-injection. H.P. Acthar Gel, a repository corticotropin preparation, is separately approved for therapeutic use in infantile spasms, MS exacerbations, nephrotic syndrome, and other inflammatory conditions. Cosyntropin vials should be reconstituted with 1 mL normal saline and used immediately per manufacturer labeling.
About ACTH (Cosyntropin/Cortrosyn)
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is a critical endocrine peptide synthesized and secreted by corticotroph cells in the anterior pituitary gland. It is cleaved from the larger precursor molecule proopiomelanocortin (POMC), which also gives rise to alpha-MSH and beta-endorphin. ACTH plays a central role in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by stimulating the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol and other corticosteroids essential for stress response, immune regulation, and metabolic homeostasis. Cosyntropin (marketed as Cortrosyn) is a synthetic peptide consisting of the first 24 amino acids of the 39-amino-acid native ACTH sequence. This truncated form retains full biological activity at the melanocortin-2 receptor (MC2R) on adrenal cortical cells. A single 0.25 mg dose of cosyntropin provides maximal adrenal stimulation equivalent to 25 units of natural ACTH, making it the gold standard diagnostic tool for the ACTH stimulation test used to evaluate adrenal reserve. Beyond its diagnostic role, ACTH has therapeutic applications through H.P. Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection), which is FDA-approved for treating infantile spasms, acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, nephrotic syndrome, and over a dozen other inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Acthar Gel acts through both steroidogenic pathways (stimulating endogenous cortisol production) and direct immunomodulatory effects via melanocortin receptors expressed on immune cells throughout the body. The clinical significance of ACTH extends across endocrinology, neurology, rheumatology, and nephrology. Understanding ACTH physiology is fundamental to diagnosing Cushing's disease, Addison's disease, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and various forms of adrenal insufficiency. As a peptide hormone, ACTH has a very short plasma half-life of approximately 15 minutes, necessitating careful timing during diagnostic procedures.