Acthar can be injected at home
Acthar can be injected when and where you and your doctor determine is best for you, including at home. You can self-inject Acthar, or a family member, friend, caregiver, or your doctor can help give Acthar to you.
Your doctor will advise you on how, and where on your body, to inject Acthar. He or she will choose a dose and how often you take Acthar based on your specific medical needs and condition.
Acthar can be injected in 2 ways*:
*Acthar should never be given intravenously (into a vein) or by mouth.
For more information, please see the Acthar Injection Training Guide. There are also injection videos below to help you better understand the injection process.
Do not use if:
Each time you inject Acthar, before you start to prepare the medication in the syringe, you must check the dosage of Acthar that your doctor has prescribed for you. There are 2 key things you need to know:
Typically, Acthar is prescribed in 20, 40, 60, or 80 units. But your doctor may have prescribed you a different dosage. So before you give yourself an injection of Acthar, talk with your doctor about how many mL you will need to draw up based on the number of units prescribed. This way you can be sure to take the correct amount of Acthar.
Use the Dose Conversion Chart below to figure out how much medication to draw up into the syringe. (You can download a copy of this chart here.)
Prescribed Units | Injection Amount (mL) |
80 units | 1 mL |
60 units | 0.75 mL |
40 units | 0.5 mL |
20 units | 0.25 mL |
Keep in mind when taking Acthar:
Watch one of the following videos to learn more about how to inject Acthar into a muscle or beneath the skin:
These steps included here should not replace the detailed instructions and training provided to you in person by your doctor or nurse. Keep in mind, your doctor or nurse is always the best source of advice.
Acthar is given by subcutaneous (under the skin) or intramuscular (into a muscle) injection. Acthar should never be given intravenously (into a vein) or by mouth.
You are also eligible to have a registered nurse visit you in the privacy of your home to provide Acthar Injection Training to help you or your caregiver learn how to inject Acthar. Learn more about Acthar Injection Training.
Read the information below to learn about what to do before, during, and after your Acthar treatment.
Temperature considerations
Acthar requires special handling. Keep it refrigerated at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) until you’re ready to use it. Do not inject Acthar directly after removing it from the refrigerator.
Before you inject, you should warm the vial of Acthar to room temperature. You can do this by rolling it between your hands or by holding it under your arm for a few minutes.
Suggestions for choosing where to inject:
For more information about injecting Acthar, including videos and downloadable instructions, go to Injecting Acthar.
Do not inject into:
Contact your doctor if you notice any injection-site reactions, including redness, pain, and swelling.
Things to remember while taking Acthar
What if I miss a dose of Acthar?
Can I take other medications while taking Acthar?
Do not do the following with any used supplies:
Before ending Acthar treatment
Even if you’re feeling better, do not stop taking Acthar without consulting your doctor. If you consider ending treatment before your full course is over, be sure to talk with your doctor as well.
Your doctor will talk to you about when and how to stop treatment with Acthar. He or she may tell you how to gradually reduce the dose and frequency of injections. Do not suddenly stop taking Acthar without talking to your doctor first.
DO NOT take Acthar until you have talked to your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
Tell your doctor about any other health problems that you have. Give your doctor a complete list of medicines you are taking. Include all nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements that you are taking.
Acthar is a prescription medicine for flares or on a regular basis (maintenance) in people with dermatomyositis or polymyositis (DM-PM).
Acthar is a prescription medicine for flares or on a regular basis (maintenance) in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus).
Acthar is a prescription add-on medicine for the short-term administration (to tide patients over an acute episode or exacerbation) in: psoriatic arthritis (PsA); rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy); ankylosing spondylitis.
Acthar is injected beneath the skin or into the muscle.
DO NOT take Acthar until you have talked to your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
Tell your doctor about any other health problems that you have. Give your doctor a complete list of medicines you are taking. Include all nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements that you are taking.
Acthar is a prescription medicine for flares or on a regular basis (maintenance) in people with dermatomyositis or polymyositis (DM-PM).
Acthar is a prescription medicine for flares or on a regular basis (maintenance) in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus).
Acthar is a prescription add-on medicine for the short-term administration (to tide patients over an acute episode or exacerbation) in: psoriatic arthritis (PsA); rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy); ankylosing spondylitis.
Acthar is injected beneath the skin or into the muscle.
What is the most important information I should know about Acthar?
Acthar and corticosteroids have similar side effects.
What are the most common side effects of Acthar?
The most common side effects of Acthar are similar to those of steroids. They include:
Specific side effects in children under 2 years of age include:
The above side effects may also be seen in adults and children over 2 years of age.
These are not all of the possible side effects of Acthar.
Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you, or that does not go away. Call your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA. Call 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects by calling 1-800-778-7898.
Please see full Prescribing Information.