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Have more questions? Connect with a Corcept Cares Patient Advocate by calling 1-855-295-9969.
Frequently asked questions
How long will I be on Korlym®?
You will need to talk with your healthcare professional about how long you will be taking Korlym.
Korlym does not stop your body from making cortisol. It works to reduce certain negative effects of excess cortisol activity in the body by competing with cortisol at the cellular level. Therefore, some people may take Korlym long term. Surgery is typically the first-line treatment for endogenous hypercortisolism. When surgery is not an option or has failed, or when health issues have returned, medication is often used to manage symptoms of the disease but does not provide a cure. Medication may be warranted as long as you are experiencing symptoms of endogenous hypercortisolism.
Learn more about how Korlym works
Have more questions? Connect with a Corcept Cares Patient Advocate by calling 1-855-295-9969 or fill out this form.
How will I know if I am at the optimal dose of Korlym?
You should work with your healthcare professional to find the optimal dose of Korlym to reach your treatment goals. Because Korlym does not stop the body from making cortisol, your healthcare professional cannot rely on measuring your cortisol levels to determine the dose of Korlym that will be best for you.
Your healthcare professional may need to adjust your dose of Korlym based on how you respond to treatment. Some possible changes are less need for antidiabetic medicine (like insulin), improved blood sugars, skin, mood, focus, and weight.* Be sure to share any improvements or side effects you experience with your healthcare professional so that they can adjust your dose of Korlym as needed.
*In the clinical study, some patients receiving Korlym reported changes in weight, waist measurement, appearance (such as the clearing of acne), mood, symptoms of depression, ability to think clearly, and muscle strength. It is uncertain whether Korlym caused these changes. At the start of the trial, patients had an average weight of 220 pounds and an average waistline of 47 inches.
What type of monitoring do I have to do while on Korlym?
Before starting Korlym and throughout treatment, you and your healthcare professional will routinely check your blood sugar, blood pressure, and potassium levels. Monitoring these levels can help your healthcare professional see how your treatment is working and help determine if Korlym or your other medications need to be adjusted.
How long will I experience side effects?
The severity and duration of side effects is different from person to person. If your body has been exposed to high cortisol activity over time, it may have gotten used to it. As a result, it can take time to adjust to less cortisol activity after starting Korlym. During this period, you might experience something known as “cortisol withdrawal.” You might feel worse before you feel better, sometimes experiencing flu-like symptoms.
While taking Korlym, you’ll need to have your blood drawn periodically to check your potassium levels. This is important because some people may experience lower than normal potassium levels while on Korlym, and this can be a serious health risk. If left untreated, low potassium can lead to increased blood pressure and can affect your heart rate. Your healthcare professional may decide to prescribe potassium or other medications to keep your potassium levels normal.
If you feel dizzy, faint, nauseous, tired, or have changes in your blood sugar or blood pressure, remember to tell your healthcare professional. It could mean that other medicines you take may need to be adjusted.
Tell your healthcare professional about any new symptoms you are experiencing, including swelling of your hands or feet (edema), muscle cramps or aches, irregular heartbeat (palpitation), and constipation.
The most common side effects of Korlym can be found here. These are not all the possible side effects of Korlym.
Cost is a concern for me. Are there financial assistance options?
Financial assistance is available to people prescribed Korlym. After you receive a prescription, a Patient Access Coordinator will reach out to you. They will review your insurance benefits, help with the prior authorization process, and explain affordability options. Once this is complete, your Patient Access Coordinator will coordinate with an in-network Specialty Pharmacy to deliver your medication right to your door.
Your Patient Access Coordinator can help you explore financial assistance options, such as:
Co-Pay Assistance Program: Reduces eligible patients’ out-of-pocket costs
Bridge Therapy: Temporary medication access at no cost for eligible patients during temporary coverage gaps
Starter Therapy: Medication support for up to 60 days while insurance coverage is verified for qualifying patients
Patient Assistance Program (PAP): Free medication for qualifying patients
To connect with a Patient Access Coordinator, call 1-855-4KORLYM (1-855-456-7596).
What sort of improvements can I expect from taking Korlym?
Everyone's experience with Korlym may be different.
Your healthcare professional may need to adjust your dose of Korlym based on how you respond to treatment and the improvement of symptoms associated with endogenous Cushing syndrome (also known as hypercortisolism). Some improvements may happen quickly, while others may take more time. Therefore, it is important to review your symptoms and improvements with your healthcare professional at each visit so they can help you reach your treatment goals.
Is Korlym an FDA-approved medication?
Korlym® (mifepristone) was approved by the FDA in 2012.
Korlym is a prescription medicine used to treat high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) caused by high cortisol levels in the blood (hypercortisolism) in adults with endogenous Cushing syndrome (also known as hypercortisolism) who have type 2 diabetes mellitus or glucose intolerance and who cannot have surgery or for whom surgery has failed. Korlym is not for people who have type 2 diabetes mellitus not caused by Cushing syndrome.
My healthcare professional wants to write me a prescription for Korlym, but doesn’t know how to get it filled. They called my local pharmacy and they said they don’t carry it. How do I go about getting my prescription filled?
Korlym is not available at local retail pharmacies. It is only available through specialty pharmacy partners who will send Korlym directly to your home.
Your healthcare professional will need to complete a Patient Enrollment Form for Korlym. This document serves as a prescription for Korlym. Once this form is completed, signed, and faxed to specialty pharmacy partners, enrollment happens automatically.
To learn more about available support and how your Korlym prescription will be filled, call a Patient Access Coordinator at 1-855-4KORLYM (1-855-456-7596).
My healthcare professional wants me to go on Korlym, but my insurance doesn't cover it and I can’t afford it. How can I go about getting this medication?
Everyone prescribed Korlym has access to personalized support during their treatment. This includes access to a Patient Access Coordinator.
Your Patient Access Coordinator can help you explore financial assistance options, such as:
Co-Pay Assistance Program: Reduces eligible patients’ out-of-pocket costs
Bridge Therapy: Temporary medication access at no cost for eligible patients during temporary coverage gaps
Starter Therapy: Medication support for up to 60 days while insurance coverage is verified for qualifying patients
Patient Assistance Program (PAP): Free medication for qualifying patients
To connect with a Patient Access Coordinator, call 1-855-4KORLYM (1-855-456-7596).
Learn more about financial assistance and the support provided by Patient Access Coordinators
