What does the evidence show about ACTH / corticotrophin analogs's effects?

Read Off Label rates the evidence for ACTH / corticotrophin analogs as Weak and the benefit magnitude as low-med, producing an overall grade of D (3.3/10). WADA coverage: corticotrophins, corticorelin and tetracosactide.

What safety findings are reported for ACTH / corticotrophin analogs?

ACTH / corticotrophin analogs has a med-high risk profile in the database. Med-High (hypercortisolism, glucose elevation, mood effects, immune suppression, adrenal-axis disruption) Legal status: Rx/diagnostic or narrow clinical use; WADA S2 prohibited.

What does the low Safety score for ACTH / corticotrophin analogs represent?

The Safety score is 3.5/10. It records the substantial harms described for one or more use contexts; the Benefit score, indication, dose, route, duration, population, and legal status remain separate parts of the evidence profile.

What doses or routes are reported for ACTH / corticotrophin analogs?

Clinical diagnostic/therapeutic dosing varies; no performance dose This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.

Rankings / Hormones & Endocrine

ACTH / corticotrophin analogs

Hormones & Endocrine · Corticotrophin / adrenal-axis stimulant

Tier D

High-risk evidence profile

Reviewed by Read Off Label · Last reviewed Jun 8, 2026 · How we grade

wadaacthadrenal-axisbanned-sport

High-risk evidence profile

3.3 / 10

Tier D

Ev 3 Bn 3.5 Sf 3.5

Bottom line

Read Off Label grades ACTH / corticotrophin analogs as D (3.3/10) based on weak evidence, low-med benefit magnitude, and a med-high-risk safety profile.

Its high-risk evidence profile reflects a Safety score of 3.5/10; reported benefits and harms can differ by indication, dose, route, duration, and population.

WADA coverage: corticotrophins, corticorelin and tetracosactide.

Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: Clinical diagnostic/therapeutic dosing varies; no performance dose — Rx/diagnostic or narrow clinical use; WADA S2 prohibited; not individualized guidance.

What the evidence says

WADA coverage: corticotrophins, corticorelin and tetracosactide. Included because endogenous glucocorticoid stimulation is a plausible performance/recovery manipulation, not because it is a health-optimization staple.

Mechanism

ACTH and analogs stimulate adrenal glucocorticoid production; athlete use is usually about anti-inflammatory, energy or recovery effects mediated through cortisol.

Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route

Clinical diagnostic/therapeutic dosing varies; no performance dose

This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.

Citations

A link means the source informed this entry; it does not mean every claim on the page comes from that source. If a citation looks wrong or you want a claim re-checked, send a correction.

Common questions

What does the evidence show about ACTH / corticotrophin analogs's effects?: Read Off Label rates the evidence for ACTH / corticotrophin analogs as Weak and the benefit magnitude as low-med, producing an overall grade of D (3.3/10). WADA coverage: corticotrophins, corticorelin and tetracosactide.
What safety findings are reported for ACTH / corticotrophin analogs?: ACTH / corticotrophin analogs has a med-high risk profile in the database. Med-High (hypercortisolism, glucose elevation, mood effects, immune suppression, adrenal-axis disruption) Legal status: Rx/diagnostic or narrow clinical use; WADA S2 prohibited.
What does the low Safety score for ACTH / corticotrophin analogs represent?: The Safety score is 3.5/10. It records the substantial harms described for one or more use contexts; the Benefit score, indication, dose, route, duration, population, and legal status remain separate parts of the evidence profile.
What doses or routes are reported for ACTH / corticotrophin analogs?: Clinical diagnostic/therapeutic dosing varies; no performance dose This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
How does ACTH / corticotrophin analogs work?: ACTH and analogs stimulate adrenal glucocorticoid production; athlete use is usually about anti-inflammatory, energy or recovery effects mediated through cortisol.

This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.