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gonadotropins
These fertility drugs, also known as injectables, such as Follistim® AQ Cartridge (follitropin beta injection), are often prescribed to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple follicles for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Follistim® AQ Cartridge (follitropin beta injection) is approved to help women who have problems with ovulation. Follistim® AQ Cartridge will not help women whose ovaries do not work at all (primary ovarian failure). Follistim® AQ Cartridge is also for women who are in an assisted reproductive technology (ART) program, such as in vitro fertilization.
This fertility drug is potent and therefore patients are carefully evaluated before being put on gonadotropin therapy. Patients are tested for ovarian competence, and tubal and uterine pathology (this may include a laparoscopy and/or hysteroscopy). A semen analysis will be performed and any endocrine problems will be checked.
how it works
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), the active component in Follistim® AQ Cartridge (follitropin beta injection), stimulates ovarian follicular growth in women who do not have primary ovarian failure.
Although follitropin beta in the Follistim® AQ Cartridge causes the follicles to mature, it does not induce ovulation. For ovulation to occur, a second hormone called hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is administered. hCG acts like naturally produced luteinizing hormone (LH). It induces ovulation and releases the mature egg from the follicle.
how to take it
Follistim® AQ Cartridge is administered as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin) using the Follistim Pen®. You load a pre-mixed, pre-filled Follistim® AQ Cartridge containing the medication into the Follistim Pen®, dial up your exact dose and give yourself an injection.
Follistim® AQ Cartridge is usually administered once daily. A starting dose of 75 IU or lower is recommended for at least the first seven days for patients undergoing ovulation induction. A 150 to 225 IU or lower starting dose is recommended for at least the first five days of treatment for patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for IVF. Dose adjustments can be made by the healthcare provider based on ovarian response.
If you will be self-administering Follistim® AQ Cartridge, ask your healthcare provider to give you full instructions on the proper procedures to follow. For additional information on how to use Follistim® AQ Cartridge and Follistim Pen® click here to view the patient information leaflet.
important safety information
Follistim® AQ Cartridge (follitropin beta injection) is approved to help women who have problems with ovulation. Follistim® AQ Cartridge will not help women whose ovaries do not work at all (primary ovarian failure). Follistim® AQ Cartridge is also for women that are in an assisted reproductive technology (ART) program, such as in vitro fertilization.
Important Safety Information:
Always follow your health care professional’s dosing instructions
when administering
Follistim®
AQ Cartridge. Your health care professional has individualized the
dose to be administered based on your medical history. Do not
change your dose unless instructed by your health care
professional.
Do not use Follistim® AQ Cartridge if you are allergic to recombinant human FSH products; have primary ovarian failure (your ovaries do not work at all); are pregnant or think you might be pregnant; have uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal gland problems; have tumors in your ovaries, breasts, uterus, hypothalamus, or pituitary gland; have heavy or irregular vaginal bleeding and the cause is not known; have ovarian cysts or enlarged ovaries not due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); or are allergic to streptomycin or neomycin. Follistim® AQ Cartridge may contain traces of these antibiotics and may cause allergic reactions.
Follistim® AQ Cartridge may cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which is a serious medical problem that can happen when the ovaries are overstimulated. In rare cases it has caused death. OHSS causes fluid to build up suddenly in the stomach and chest areas. OHSS may occur after treatment with Follistim® AQ Cartridge. Call your health care professional right away if you get any of the following symptoms: severe pelvic pain (lower stomach area), nausea, vomiting, sudden weight gain, or reduced urine output.
Follistim® AQ Cartridge and other FSH products may cause serious lung problems including fluid in the lungs, trouble breathing, and worsening of asthma. Follistim® AQ Cartridge and other FSH products may also cause blood clots in blood vessels. This can lead to blood vessel problems (thrombophlebitis), stroke, loss of limb, or a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolus).
Follistim® AQ Cartridge and other FSH products can cause multiple births. Your health care professional will discuss your chances of multiple births.
Follistim® AQ Cartridge should only be prescribed by physicians experienced in infertility treatments.
Other side effects with Follistim® AQ Cartridge include stomach pain, gas, pelvic pain, nausea, breast pain, injection site problems, enlarged stomach area, back pain, constipation, headache, and ovarian pain. If you get any side effects that concern you, call your health care professional. These are not all the side effects of Follistim® AQ Cartridge. Contact your doctor or other health care professional without delay if you are experiencing symptoms including significant abdominal pain or if symptoms develop some days after the last injection has been given.
Please click here for important Product Information or click here for the Follistim® AQ Cartridge Patient Information leaflet.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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TIP FOR SEPTEMBER 3
Both of you should stop drinking alcohol at least 4 months before trying to conceive to ensure your eggs and sperm have a clean bill of health.
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