Cosyntropin dosage in published studies and labels

These are the doses used for Cosyntropin in FDA labelling and published clinical studies, reported as each source states them, one row per regimen. They describe what was studied or approved for a specific population. They are not a recommendation, and none of them is a dose for any individual.

Research and educational reference only. This is not medical advice, and no figure on this page is a dosing recommendation.

Last checked against primary sources: November 7, 2026

Studied regimens and sources

Cosyntropin has an FDA-approved human dosage as a single diagnostic dose for screening adrenocortical insufficiency. The CORTROSYN label dose is 0.25 mg by intravenous or intramuscular injection for adults and children aged 2 to 17, and 0.125 mg from birth to under 2 years, with serum cortisol measured at baseline and at 30 and 60 minutes.

FDA Approved

Dosage evidence summary for Cosyntropin
Human dosing established	Yes
Route	Intravenous · Intramuscular
Frequency	Single dose per test
Duration studied	One diagnostic test
Evidence level	FDA Approved
Last reviewed	2026-11-07

Research-reported dosing

Doses as studied, one row per regimen. Different trials used different regimens; they are listed separately rather than averaged.

Research-reported dosing for Cosyntropin, one row per studied regimen
Study / context	Population	Dose	Route	Frequency	Duration	Outcome studied	Source
FDA label — CORTROSYN, adultsFDA-approved label · FDA prescribing information	Adults being screened for adrenocortical insufficiency	0.25 mg	Intravenous or intramuscular	Once	Cortisol sampled at baseline and exactly 30 and 60 minutes after the dose	Diagnostic cortisol response, interpreted with other tests	CORTROSYN (cosyntropin) for injection — FDA prescribing information (Amphastar), DailyMed
FDA label — CORTROSYN, pediatric patientsFDA-approved label · FDA prescribing information	Children from birth to 17 years being screened for adrenocortical insufficiency	0.125 mg (0.5 mL) from birth to under 2 years; 0.25 mg (1 mL) from 2 to 17 years	Intravenous or intramuscular	Once	Cortisol sampled at baseline and exactly 30 and 60 minutes after the dose	Diagnostic cortisol response, interpreted with other tests	CORTROSYN (cosyntropin) for injection — FDA prescribing information (Amphastar), DailyMed

Where sources disagree

Cosyntropin is a diagnostic agent, not a treatment. The label says to stop glucocorticoids and spironolactone on the day of testing (longer for long-acting glucocorticoids) and estrogen-containing drugs four to six weeks before, because they can make the result inaccurate.
The label warns of hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis.
COSACTHEN, also listed on DailyMed under cosyntropin, is a veterinary product (Dechra) and contributes no human dosing here.