Synacthen Depot

Synacthen Depot is a synthetic formulation of tetracosactide (also known as tetracosactrin), which consists of the first 24 amino acids of the naturally occurring human adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This synthetic polypeptide exhibits the full biological activity of natural ACTH but is less immunogenic. In the Depot formulation, tetracosactide is adsorbed onto a zinc phosphate complex, which allows for sustained release and a prolonged duration of action (up to 24-48 hours) following intramuscular injection. It acts as an agonist at the **melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R)** in the adrenal cortex, stimulating the synthesis and secretion of glucocorticoids (primarily cortisol), mineralocorticoids, and androgens. Clinically, it is used for the diagnosis of adrenocortical insufficiency via the ACTH stimulation test and as a therapeutic agent for conditions such as infantile spasms (West Syndrome), acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, and various rheumatic or nephrotic disorders where long-term corticosteroid stimulation is indicated.

Brand names

Synacthen DepotSynachten DepotTetracosactide DepotSynacthen Retard

Other names

tetracosactide zinc phosphatetetracosactrin zinc phosphatesynthetic ACTH 1-24 depottetracosactide zinc hydroxide complex