Peptides / Sexual health and hormones

Natural peptide · 39 amino acids · 4,567.2 Da

ACTH (corticotropin)

ApprovedBanned in sport

ACTH (corticotropin) is a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands, and Acthar Gel, a corticotropin gel, is approved in the US for infantile spasms and multiple sclerosis flares. It is banned in sport, and studies in people tested it in lupus, kidney disease and MS. PepBank shows 128 results on ACTH from 24 studies in people, and 53 from animal and lab studies. The strongest evidence is a randomized trial in people. Data as of 2026-10-30.

Also known as ACTH, Adrenocorticotropic hormone, Adrenocorticotropin, Corticotrophin, Repository corticotropin, Corticotropin and 3 more

39 amino acids, from first to last0 changed amino acids

Evidence level: Large trials in people128 of 181 results come from studies in people, including randomized trials.

Results in people

128

71% of 181 results

Results in animals

29% of 181 results

Results in lab cells

0% of 181 results

From computer models

0% of 181 results

Overview

ACTH (corticotropin) at a glance

What it is	Natural peptide, 39 amino acids
Approval	Approved in the US (Acthar Gel, 1952)
In sport	Banned in sport (WADA S2.2.2)
Studies	42 studies with results. 41 of them gave ACTH, with 181 results. 128 in people53 in animals
Best study in people	Randomized controlled trial with 169 people (2020)
Clinical trials	102 registered: 7 active or planned, 35 with posted results
Community use	Acthar Gel multi-dose vial for other labeled indications in adults and children over 2 years of age

The science

What is ACTH?

Corticotropin acts through the ACTH receptor to stimulate the adrenal cortex.

Amino acids in one chain

The history of ACTH

1952April
FDA approved Acthar Gel for infantile spasms, acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, and specified inflammatory and edematous disorders, subject to label conditions.
1954
The oldest paper on ACTH in PepBank is from 1954.
2010February
A registered trial of ACTH started (NCT01062568).

ACTH (corticotropin) structure and chemistry

The key facts about the molecule. Long codes are in the closed section below.

Sequence, 39 amino acidsFrom the first amino acid to the last

S1YSM−E5HF+RWG10+KPVG+K15+K+R+RPV20+KVYP−D25GA−E−DQ30LA−EAF35PL−EF

Darker means more water-repelling+ and − show charge in the body

Structure

ACTH (corticotropin) is a natural peptide of 39 amino acids, with no ring, no changed amino acids.

Formula

C₂₁₀H₃₁₄N₅₆O₅₇S

Molecular weight

4,567.2 g/mol

CAS number

12427-33-7

Target

Adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor (gene MC2R): agonistEvidence: ChEMBL mechanism

Development

Highest phase: past the trial stage (see status).

Identifiers

ChEMBL CHEMBL1201610, UNII K0U68Q2TXA

Full sequence, SMILES and InChIKey

Three-letter sequence
H-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Met-Glu-His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-Gly-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Pro-Val-Lys-Val-Tyr-Pro-Asp-Gly-Ala-Glu-Asp-Gln-Leu-Ala-Glu-Ala-Phe-Pro-Leu-Glu-Phe-OH

See charge, composition and 3D structure on the Scientific page

The evidence

What ACTH studies show

Results grouped by what the studies measured. Each card shows where its results come from.

Large trials in people128 of 181 results come from studies in people, including randomized trials.

Overall treatment results

26 results · 26 in people

In persistently active SLE, response at week 4 did not differ significantly between RCI and placebo. Lupus science & medicine, 2016

Top results

In persistently active SLE, response at week 4 did not differ significantly between RCI and placebo. (Lupus science & medicine, 2016)
In MS relapse unresponsive to corticosteroids, more patients improved on EDSS with Acthar than placebo at Day 7. (CNS neuroscience & therapeutics, 2022)
In pulmonary sarcoidosis, the treatment score improved more with Acthar than placebo at week 24, but the study had no statistical analysis. (Pulmonary therapy, 2023)

Immune system and inflammation

33 results · 19 in people · 14 animal

In adults with active lupus, SRI-4 response was numerically higher with repository corticotropin gel than placebo, without a significant difference. Rheumatology and therapy, 2020

Top results

In adults with active lupus, SRI-4 response was numerically higher with repository corticotropin gel than placebo, without a significant difference. (Rheumatology and therapy, 2020)
In breakthrough multiple sclerosis, eight cytokine levels decreased only in the ACTH gel group. (Therapeutic advances in neurological disorders, 2017)
In rats, Acthar changed C1qb expression more than methylprednisolone. (Physiological reports, 2025)

Eyes

16 results · 16 in people

In adults with dry eyes, Acthar reduced stained eye lesions compared with baseline at day 14. Ophthalmology and therapy, 2022

Top results

In adults with dry eyes, Acthar reduced stained eye lesions compared with baseline at day 14. (Ophthalmology and therapy, 2022)
In refractory severe noninfectious keratitis, half of patients had clinically important symptom bother improvements after Acthar Gel treatment. (Ophthalmology and therapy, 2021)
In adults with dry eyes, corrected vision did not change significantly from baseline during Acthar treatment. (Ophthalmology and therapy, 2022)

Kidneys and bladder

10 results · 8 in people · 2 animal

In pediatric nephrotic syndrome, repository corticotropin did not significantly reduce relapses versus no relapse-preventing treatment. Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2018

Top results

In pediatric nephrotic syndrome, repository corticotropin did not significantly reduce relapses versus no relapse-preventing treatment. (Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2018)
In patients with FGN, Acthar alone reduced urine protein compared with baseline at 6 months. (Kidney international reports, 2025)
In pediatric nephrotic syndrome, time to relapse did not differ significantly between repository corticotropin and no relapse-preventing treatment. (Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2018)

Daily life and fitness

7 results · 7 in people

In patients with multiple sclerosis exacerbations, response rates did not differ significantly between intramuscular and subcutaneous ACTH gel. Drug design, development and therapy, 2011

Top results

In patients with multiple sclerosis exacerbations, response rates did not differ significantly between intramuscular and subcutaneous ACTH gel. (Drug design, development and therapy, 2011)
In active lupus, Acthar improved planning-related quality of life more than placebo at week 24. (Rheumatology and therapy, 2021)
In lupus patients with lower skin disease activity, Acthar improved missed work time more than placebo at week 24. (Rheumatology and therapy, 2021)

Brain and nerves

12 results · 6 in people · 6 animal

In optic neuritis, retinal nerve layer loss did not differ between Acthar and IVMP at 6 months. Journal of neuro-ophthalmology, 2023

Top results

In optic neuritis, retinal nerve layer loss did not differ between Acthar and IVMP at 6 months. (Journal of neuro-ophthalmology, 2023)
In breakthrough multiple sclerosis, ACTH gel reduced relapse rate compared with IV methylprednisolone on shared interferon treatment. (Therapeutic advances in neurological disorders, 2017)
In rats, ACTH gel did not significantly change transfer kindling compared with controls. (Epilepsia, 1987)

ACTH has 624 linked papers. PepBank read up to 120 of the most-cited studies that gave it to people, up to 20 other studies, and the main trials.

All 42 ACTH studies by area Open the Scientific page

Key ACTH studies

Studies in people come first, then studies in animals and in the lab.

People
Repository Corticotropin Injection for Persistently Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Results from a Phase 4, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Askanase et al. 2020 · Rheumatology and therapy · 169 people · cited by 17
9 results
People
Efficacy and tolerability of repository corticotropin injection in patients with persistently active SLE: results of a phase 4, randomised, controlled pilot study
Furie et al. 2016 · Lupus science & medicine · 38 people · cited by 31
5 results
People
A Randomized Prospective Trial Comparing Repository Corticotropin Injection and Intravenous Methylprednisolone for Neuroprotection in Acute Optic Neuritis
Bennett et al. 2023 · Journal of neuro-ophthalmology : the official journal of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society · 37 people · cited by 1
6 results
People
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone for Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome: The ATLANTIS Randomized Trial
Wang et al. 2018 · Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN · 31 people · cited by 11
5 results
People
Adrenocorticotropic hormone <i>versus</i> methylprednisolone added to interferon β in patients with multiple sclerosis experiencing breakthrough disease: a randomized, rater-blinded trial
Berkovich et al. 2017 · Therapeutic advances in neurological disorders · 23 people · cited by 11
7 results

All 42 ACTH (corticotropin) studies

ACTH clinical trials

ClinicalTrials.gov lists 102 trials of ACTH. 7 are active or planned, and 35 have posted results. PepBank does not show trial results.

Solid bars are dates that happened. Hatched bars are planned dates. Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

Acthar Gel for Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Phase 4completed172 people

Study of Acthar® Gel (Acthar) for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Phase 2/3terminated143 planned

Effects of Acthar on Recovery From Cognitive Relapses in MS

Phase 3completed64 people

All 38 ACTH (corticotropin) trials

Status and safety

Is ACTH approved?

FDA

United States

Approved

An approved medicine contains it.

EMA

European Union

Status unknown

Status unknown.

WADA

Sport

Banned

On the 2026 Prohibited List, section S2.2.2.

Yes. Approved in the US (Acthar Gel, 1952). The FDA label for Acthar Gel says: “Infantile spasms, acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, and specified inflammatory and edematous disorders, subject to label conditions” Banned in sport (WADA S2.2.2).

Laws and labels change, so check the regulator for the current status.

ACTH side effects and safety

PepBank has 22 safety results from studies of ACTH. 20 of them come from studies in people.

Safety results from studies (22)

In breakthrough multiple sclerosis, psychiatric symptoms were less frequent with ACTH gel than with IV methylprednisolone. (Therapeutic advances in neurological disorders, 2017)
In patients with multiple sclerosis exacerbations, intramuscular ACTH gel was linked to more injection site pain than subcutaneous ACTH gel. (Drug design, development and therapy, 2011)
In healthy subjects, adverse event reporting was similar after repository corticotropin and IV methylprednisolone. (Journal of clinical pharmacology, 2016)
In refractory severe noninfectious keratitis, investigators identified no new safety signals for Acthar Gel. (Ophthalmology and therapy, 2021)
In MS relapse, no serious adverse events were reported with Acthar. (CNS neuroscience & therapeutics, 2022)
In adults with dry eyes, no eye adverse events occurred during Acthar treatment. (Ophthalmology and therapy, 2022)
In persistently active SLE, repository corticotropin treatment was well tolerated. (Lupus science & medicine, 2016)
In active RA, investigators observed no unexpected safety signals during the RCI study. (Rheumatology and therapy, 2020)
In adults with active lupus, the repository corticotropin gel trial identified no new safety signals. (Rheumatology and therapy, 2020)
In pulmonary sarcoidosis, investigators identified no new or unexpected safety signals with Acthar. (Pulmonary therapy, 2023)
In persistently active SLE, investigators observed no new safety signals during the open-label RCI extension. (Lupus science & medicine, 2017)
In pediatric nephrotic syndrome, most repository corticotropin side effects were mild and resembled corticosteroid side effects. (Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2018)
In hay fever patients treated with ACTH gel, side effects were few. (Clinical allergy, 1976)
In hay fever patients, neither Acthar gel dose group had serious side effects. (Clinical allergy, 1980)
In MS relapse, no deaths were reported with Acthar. (CNS neuroscience & therapeutics, 2022)
In adults with dry eyes, no deaths occurred during Acthar treatment. (Ophthalmology and therapy, 2022)
In adults with dry eyes, investigators identified no new safety signals for Acthar. (Ophthalmology and therapy, 2022)
In breakthrough multiple sclerosis, the ACTH gel group had five fatigue events. (Therapeutic advances in neurological disorders, 2017)
In breakthrough multiple sclerosis, the ACTH gel group had five flu symptom events. (Therapeutic advances in neurological disorders, 2017)
In healthy subjects, adverse events after repository corticotropin were mild. (Journal of clinical pharmacology, 2016)
In rats, small ACTH1-39 doses produced the greatest testicular damage a few days after treatment stopped. (International journal of tissue reactions, 1983)
In rats treated with ACTH1-39, the study found no noteworthy histochemical changes. (International journal of tissue reactions, 1983)

See every safety result on the Scientific page

Doses studied (36 shown)

The doses that these studies used. They are not recommendations.

Dose as reported	Class	Species	Route	Duration	Design	Source
80 U every other day to week 4, then twice weekly to week 24	Human	human	subcutaneous	Not reported	Randomized trial in people · n = 169	Askanase 2020
40 U daily or 80 U every other day, tapered to twice weekly during weeks 5-8	Human	human	Not reported	8 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 38	Furie 2016
80 U/1.73 m² twice weekly	Human	human	Not reported	6 months	Randomized trial in people · n = 31	Wang 2018
80 U/day	Human	human	intramuscular	five consecutive days	Randomized trial in people · n = 18	Simsarian 2011
80 U every other day through week 4, then twice weekly through week 24	Human	human	subcutaneous	24 weeks	Randomized trial in people	Askanase 2021
80 U twice weekly	Human	human	Not reported	12 weeks	Randomized trial in people	Fleischmann 2020
80 U twice weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	24 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 55	Mirsaeidi 2023
80 U daily	Human	human	Not reported	14 days	Randomized trial in people · n = 35	Wynn 2022
40-unit RCI twice weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	24 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 16	Baughman 2017
40 U daily, tapered to twice weekly during weeks 5-8	Human	human	Not reported	8 weeks	Randomized trial in people	Furie 2016
80 U every other day, tapered to twice weekly during weeks 5-8	Human	human	Not reported	8 weeks	Randomized trial in people	Furie 2016
40 IU twice weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	15 days	Randomized trial in people	Wang 2021
80 IU twice weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	15 days	Randomized trial in people	Wang 2021
80 IU 3 times weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	15 days	Randomized trial in people	Wang 2021
80 U daily	Human	human	subcutaneous	5 days	Randomized trial in people	Lal 2016
80 IU twice weekly on study days 1 and 4	Human	human	subcutaneous	Not reported	Randomized trial in people	Poola 2022
80 U twice weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	12 weeks	Trial in people without random groups · n = 12	Toyos 2022
80 U/1.73 m² twice weekly for 6 months, then 40 U/1.73 m² twice weekly for 6 months	Human	human	Not reported	12 months	Trial in people without random groups · n = 3	Wang 2018
80 U twice weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	12 weeks	Trial in people without random groups · n = 35	Wirta 2021
40 U daily or 80 U every other day for 8 weeks, then 16, 40 or 80 U 1-3 times/week	Human	human	Not reported	52 weeks	Trial in people without random groups · n = 25	Furie 2017
80 units twice weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	12 months	Trial in people without random groups · n = 19	Tumlin 2025
80 units loading for 10 days, then 40 or 80 units twice weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	24 weeks	Trial in people without random groups · n = 16	Baughman 2017
16, 40 or 80 U 1-3 times/week	Human	human	Not reported	Open-label extension through week 52 after the 8-week placebo period	Trial in people without random groups · n = 11	Furie 2017
40 units	Human	human	intramuscular	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups · n = 10	Danowski 1981
80 units twice weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	24 weeks	Trial in people without random groups · n = 8	Baughman 2017
80 U	Human	human	subcutaneous	24 weeks	Trial in people without random groups	Askanase 2021
80 units once weekly or 80 units twice weekly	Human	human	Not reported	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups	Parr 1976
80 units twice weekly	Human	human	Not reported	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups	Fleischmann 2022
200 iu	Human	human	Not reported	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups	Parr 1980
200 iu or 80 iu	Human	human	Not reported	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups	Parr 1980
60 IU/kg	Animal	Rat	Not reported	8 weeks	Study in live animals · n = 10	Hayes 2025
2.2 U/kg	Animal	cat	intramuscular	Not reported	Study in live animals · n = 6	Johnston 1979
1 mIU/kg	Animal	rat	intravenous	Not reported	Study in live animals	Sonntag 1987
4 IU/kg four times daily (16 IU/kg/day)	Animal	mouse	intraperitoneal	7 days	Study in live animals	Scantlebury 2017
40, 160, or 400 U/kg twice daily	Animal	rat	subcutaneous	days 13 through 19	Study in live animals	Decker 2020
400 U/kg	Animal	Mouse	Not reported	Not reported	Study in live animals	Taylor 2025

From the community

How people use it

What people report online. It comes from forums and guides, not from studies.

Community-reported. Not tested in trials.

The official US label reports prescription use. The regimen below is label information.

Reported routines and cautions

What people use it for

Acthar Gel multi-dose vial for other labeled indications in adults and children over 2 years of ageS1

Reported regimens

Regimens that community sources report for Corticotropin. Community-reported, not tested in trials.
Context	Route	Amount	How often	How long	Agreement	Sources
Acthar Gel multi-dose vial for other labeled indications in adults and children over 2 years of ageOfficial label dosing of an approved product	intramuscular or subcutaneous injection	40 to 80 USP units per dose	every 24 to 72 hours	Not stated	Single official US label source.	S1

Cautions

The label warns about infections, adrenal effects, blood pressure changes, and behavioral or mood disturbances.S1

Status notes

No product-specific central EMA authorisation was established. This does not decide national authorisations.S2

Community sources

S1Acthar Gel US prescribing information (opens in a new tab)dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
S2EMA regulatory information (opens in a new tab)ema.europa.eu

Gaps

This record contains one selected official label regimen. It contains no independently verified community regimen. The selected regimen applies to the multi-dose vial and the stated patient group. The full label contains other indications, regimens, contraindications, and administration conditions.

Questions and more

Ask a question about ACTH

The answer links to every study it uses.

What does the evidence say about ACTH?Is ACTH tested in people?Compare with Oxytocin Compare with Melanotan I (afamelanotide)

Sources

Database: PepBank data for ACTH (data version 308560)
Regulator: FDA status record
Regulator: EMA status record
Regulator: WADA status record
Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov
Community: community sources (forums and guides), as summarized in the PepBank community file

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.

Ask your AI about ACTH

ACTH (corticotropin)

ApprovedBanned in sport

Also known as ACTH, Adrenocorticotropic hormone, Adrenocorticotropin, Corticotrophin, Repository corticotropin, Corticotropin and 3 more

What it is

Natural peptide, 39 amino acids

Approval

Approved in the US (Acthar Gel, 1952)

In sport

Banned in sport (WADA S2.2.2)

Studies

42 studies with results. 41 of them gave ACTH, with 181 results.
128 in people53 in animals

Best study in people

Randomized controlled trial with 169 people (2020)

Clinical trials

102 registered: 7 active or planned, 35 with posted results

Community use

Acthar Gel multi-dose vial for other labeled indications in adults and children over 2 years of age

Dose as reported

Class

Species

Route

Duration

Design

Source

80 U every other day to week 4, then twice weekly to week 24

Human

human

subcutaneous

Not reported

Randomized trial in people · n = 169

Askanase 2020

40 U daily or 80 U every other day, tapered to twice weekly during weeks 5-8

Human

human

Not reported

8 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 38

Furie 2016

80 U/1.73 m² twice weekly

Human

human

Not reported

6 months

Randomized trial in people · n = 31

Wang 2018

80 U/day

Human

human

intramuscular

five consecutive days

Randomized trial in people · n = 18

Simsarian 2011

80 U every other day through week 4, then twice weekly through week 24

Human

human

subcutaneous

24 weeks

Randomized trial in people

Askanase 2021

80 U twice weekly

Human

human

Not reported

12 weeks

Randomized trial in people

Fleischmann 2020

80 U twice weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

24 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 55

Mirsaeidi 2023

80 U daily

Human

human

Not reported

14 days

Randomized trial in people · n = 35

Wynn 2022

40-unit RCI twice weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

24 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 16

Baughman 2017

40 U daily, tapered to twice weekly during weeks 5-8

Human

human

Not reported

8 weeks

Randomized trial in people

Furie 2016

80 U every other day, tapered to twice weekly during weeks 5-8

Human

human

Not reported

8 weeks

Randomized trial in people

Furie 2016

40 IU twice weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

15 days

Randomized trial in people

Wang 2021

80 IU twice weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

15 days

Randomized trial in people

Wang 2021

80 IU 3 times weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

15 days

Randomized trial in people

Wang 2021

80 U daily

Human

human

subcutaneous

5 days

Randomized trial in people

Lal 2016

80 IU twice weekly on study days 1 and 4

Human

human

subcutaneous

Not reported

Randomized trial in people

Poola 2022

80 U twice weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

12 weeks

Trial in people without random groups · n = 12

Toyos 2022

80 U/1.73 m² twice weekly for 6 months, then 40 U/1.73 m² twice weekly for 6 months

Human

human

Not reported

12 months

Trial in people without random groups · n = 3

Wang 2018

80 U twice weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

12 weeks

Trial in people without random groups · n = 35

Wirta 2021

40 U daily or 80 U every other day for 8 weeks, then 16, 40 or 80 U 1-3 times/week

Human

human

Not reported

52 weeks

Trial in people without random groups · n = 25

Furie 2017

80 units twice weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

12 months

Trial in people without random groups · n = 19

Tumlin 2025

80 units loading for 10 days, then 40 or 80 units twice weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

24 weeks

Trial in people without random groups · n = 16

Baughman 2017

16, 40 or 80 U 1-3 times/week

Human

human

Not reported

Open-label extension through week 52 after the 8-week placebo period

Trial in people without random groups · n = 11

Furie 2017

40 units

Human

human

intramuscular

Not reported

Trial in people without random groups · n = 10

Danowski 1981

80 units twice weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

24 weeks

Trial in people without random groups · n = 8

Baughman 2017

80 U

Human

human

subcutaneous

24 weeks