Who can administer
May be administered by registered competent doctor or nurse/midwife
Important information
- See Monitoring requirements below
Available preparations
Synacthen 250 microgram in 1ml ampoule
Reconstitution
Already in solution
Draw up using a 5 micron filter needle
Methods of intravenous administration
Slow intravenous injection - see also Further information
- Administer over two minutes (ref 1)
Dose in adults
Diagnostic test for adrenal insufficiency
- Give 250 micrograms (by slow intravenous injection or IM)
- Measure plasma cortisol levels immediately before and thirty minutes after administration of the tetracosactride
- Adrenocorticol function can be considered normal if the post-injection rise in plasma cortisol concentration amounts to at least 200nmol/L (70mcg/L)
Monitoring
- Patients should be kept under observation for 30 minutes after the injection due to the possibility of hypersensitivity reactions
- Ensure resuscitation facilities are available, should a serious hypersensivity reaction occur.
Further information
- The drug may also be given by intramuscular injection (at the same dose)
Storage
Store between 2 and 80C
References
SPC March 2019
(1) Injectable Medicines Administration Guide, downloaded from Medusa 30/11/2021
Therapeutic classification
Diagnostic agent
