ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/cosyntropin
US brand names:Cortrosyn
Cosyntropin is dosed at 5 µg/kg IV once (ACTH stimulation test) in rabbits, per Conner C, Di Girolamo N, Kanda I, et al. Intravenous cosyntropin optimal dose determination in rabbits. Proc ExoticsCon; 2021;191. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.877 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rabbits). Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Synthetic analog of ACTH (first 24 amino acids). Stimulates adrenal cortex to produce cortisol. Used diagnostically for ACTH stimulation test.
Diagnostic agent — not for chronic therapy. Rare anaphylaxis. Reconstituted solution stable 24 hours refrigerated.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 3 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat (Domestic) | IV | 0.125 mg/cat | Single dose (diagnostic) | Strong | Peterson ME, Kemppainen RJ. Comparison of the immunoreactive plasma corticotropin and cortisol responses to two synthetic corticotropin preparations (tetracosactrin and cosyntropin) in healthy cats. Am J Vet Res. 1992;53(10):1752-1755. doi:10.2460/ajvr.1992.53.10.1752; Peterson ME, Kemppainen RJ. Dose-response relation between plasma-concentrations of corticotropin and cortisol after administration of incremental doses of cosyntropin for corticotropin stimulation testing in cats. Am J Vet Res. 1993;54(2):300-304. doi:10.2460/ajvr.1993.54.02.300 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.314, Cosyntropin monograph spanning p.314-315. |
| Dog (Domestic) | IV, IM | 0.005 mg/kg | Single dose (diagnostic) |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Behrend EN, Kooistra HS, Nelson R, Reusch CE, Scott-Moncrieff JC. Diagnosis of Spontaneous Canine Hyperadrenocorticism: 2012 ACVIM Consensus Statement (Small Animal). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2013;27(6):1292-1304. doi:10.1111/jvim.12192; Aldridge C, Behrend EN, Kemppainen RJ, et al. Comparison of 2 Doses for ACTH Stimulation Testing in Dogs Suspected of or Treated for Hyperadrenocorticism. J Vet Intern Med. 2016;30(5):1637-1641. doi:10.1111/jvim.14528 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.314, Cosyntropin monograph spanning p.314-315. — CEILING: Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, printed p.189 — "inject 5 mcg/kg IV or IM. Maximum dose for dogs should be 250 mcg." |