Approved & therapeutic
Corticorelin
Acthrel, CRH
Corticorelin is synthetic ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone, used diagnostically to distinguish pituitary from ectopic causes of ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome.
Also known as: Acthrel, corticorelin ovine triflutate, ovine CRH
- Status
- Corticorelin is approved by the U.S. FDA and has official prescribing information.
- Evidence
- Approved labeling. Official prescribing information exists, based on clinical trials in people.
- Half-life
- Biphasic, with a slow-phase half-life of roughly 1 hour for the ovine sequence.
- How it's taken
- Intravenous injection in a diagnostic setting
- Mechanism
- Other
How Corticorelin works
CRH stimulates corticotroph cells in the anterior pituitary to release ACTH. Pituitary corticotroph adenomas retain CRH responsiveness and show a brisk ACTH and cortisol rise; ectopic ACTH-secreting tumours generally do not. Measuring that differential response separates two conditions that are otherwise difficult to distinguish biochemically.
What research has looked at
- Distinguishes Cushing disease from ectopic ACTH syndrome, a distinction that determines whether the patient has pituitary surgery or a tumour search.
- Used during inferior petrosal sinus sampling, where it substantially improves the sensitivity of the central-to-peripheral ACTH gradient.
- The ovine sequence has a longer duration of action than the human sequence, giving a more sustained and easily measured response.
Evidence level: Approved labeling. Official prescribing information exists, based on clinical trials in people. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- Flushing is common and expected, typically of the face and upper body, lasting several minutes.
- Hypotension and tachycardia can occur, occasionally marked; blood pressure should be monitored.
- It is a diagnostic agent only and has no therapeutic use.
- Rare hypersensitivity reactions.
- Test interpretation requires a specialist endocrine setting; the result is meaningless without correct sampling protocol.
Sources
- FDA approved-drug listing for corticorelin · U.S. Food & Drug Administration
- DailyMed prescribing information for corticorelin · NIH · DailyMed
- PubMed research on corticorelin CRH stimulation test Cushing · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for corticorelin · DrugBank
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Corticorelin FAQ
What is Corticorelin?
Corticorelin is synthetic ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone, used diagnostically to distinguish pituitary from ectopic causes of ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome.
How does Corticorelin work?
CRH stimulates corticotroph cells in the anterior pituitary to release ACTH. Pituitary corticotroph adenomas retain CRH responsiveness and show a brisk ACTH and cortisol rise; ectopic ACTH-secreting tumours generally do not. Measuring that differential response separates two conditions that are otherwise difficult to distinguish biochemically.
Is Corticorelin FDA approved?
Yes. Corticorelin is approved by the U.S. FDA and has official prescribing information. Evidence level: approved labeling. Official prescribing information exists, based on clinical trials in people.
What is the half-life of Corticorelin?
Reported half-life: Biphasic, with a slow-phase half-life of roughly 1 hour for the ovine sequence.
How is Corticorelin taken?
Intravenous injection in a diagnostic setting.
What side effects have been reported with Corticorelin?
Reported in the sources: Flushing is common and expected, typically of the face and upper body, lasting several minutes; Hypotension and tachycardia can occur, occasionally marked; blood pressure should be monitored; It is a diagnostic agent only and has no therapeutic use; Rare hypersensitivity reactions; Test interpretation requires a specialist endocrine setting; the result is meaningless without correct sampling protocol.
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.