# Corticorelin

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**Corticorelin** ([INN](/source/International_Nonproprietary_Name), trade name **Xerecept**) is a [diagnostic agent](/source/Diagnostic_agent). It is a synthetic form of human [corticotropin-releasing hormone](/source/Corticotropin-releasing_hormone) (hCRH).[1]

## Medical uses

The corticorelin stimulation test helps to differentiate between the causes for [adrenocorticotropic hormone](/source/Adrenocorticotropic_hormone) (ACTH)-dependent [hypercortisolism](/source/Hypercortisolism). It is used to distinguish a [pituitary](/source/Pituitary) source of excessive ACTH secretion from a different source.

- If corticorelin injection increases plasma levels of ACTH and [cortisol](/source/Cortisol), a diagnosis of [Cushing's disease](/source/Cushing's_disease) is achieved (ACTH of pituitary origin).
- If corticorelin injection leads to little or no response in plasma levels of ACTH or cortisol, a diagnosis of [ectopic ACTH syndrome](/source/Ectopic_ACTH_syndrome) is confirmed.

## Side effects

The most common side effects (in 1% to 10% of patients) are transient [dysosmia](/source/Dysosmia) and [dysgeusia](/source/Dysgeusia) (distortion of the sense of smell and taste), as well as a sensation of warmth. About 0.1 to 1% of patients experience [hypersensitivity](/source/Hypersensitivity), [hypotension](/source/Hypotension) (lowering of blood pressure), [tachycardia](/source/Tachycardia) (increased heart rate), [flush](/source/Flush_(physiology)), [dyspnoea](/source/Dyspnoea) (breathing difficulties), a cold sensation in the throat, the urge to urinate, and dizziness. [Pituitary apoplexy](/source/Pituitary_apoplexy) has been reported in patients with [pituitary tumours](/source/Pituitary_tumour).[2]

## Interactions

The effects of corticorelin are reduced by [corticosteroids](/source/Corticosteroid), [antihistamines](/source/Antihistamine), [antiserotonergics](/source/Antiserotonergic) and [oxytocin](/source/Oxytocin). They are amplified by [vasopressin](/source/Vasopressin) and [its analogues](/source/Vasopressin_analogue).[2]

## See also

- [ACTH stimulation test](/source/ACTH_stimulation_test)
- [Dexamethasone suppression test](/source/Dexamethasone_suppression_test)
- [Metyrapone](/source/Metyrapone)
- [Pituitary-adrenal axis](/source/Pituitary-adrenal_axis)
- [Tetracosactide](/source/Tetracosactide)

## References

1. Andoh K, Kimura T, Saeki I (June 1994). "General pharmacological properties of the human corticotropin-releasing hormone corticorelin (human)". *Arzneimittelforschung*. **44** (6): 715–26. [PMID 8053970](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8053970)

1. *Austria-Codex* (in German). Vienna: Österreichischer Apothekerverlag. 2018.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Corticorelin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corticorelin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corticorelin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.