gonadotropins
These fertility drugs, also known as injectables, such as Follistim® AQ Cartridge and Follistim® AQ Vial (follitropin beta injection), are often prescribed to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple follicles for in vitro fertilization (IVF). They are used for ovulatory dysfunction, unexplained infertility, mild to moderate male infertility and luteal phase defects.
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
Follitropin beta, which acts like naturally produced follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), the hormone that stimulates the ovaries, binds to the surface of the immature follicle to trigger a series of events that lead to the growth of the follicle and the maturation of the egg.
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) such as Pregnyl® (chorionic gonadotropin for injection, USP) is administered. HCG acts like luteinizing hormone (LH). It induces ovulation and releases the mature egg from the follicle.
Follistim® AQ Cartridge is a recombinant FSH product. Recombinant products provide consistent drug doses from one vial to the next and an ample supply of drug because there is no dependence on urine collection or donor availability.
Benefits of recombinant FSH include:
- Batch-to-batch consistency
- No risk of urine-based bacterial or viral contamination
- No potential for urinary protein contamination
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. The recommended daily dose is 75 IU or lower for patients undergoing ovulation induction, with a maximum daily dose of 175 IU. A 150 to 225 IU starting dose, with a maximum daily dose of 450 IU, is recommended for the first 5 days of treatment for patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF.
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® download a PDF of step-by-step instructions.
side effects
Side effects reported with the use of Follistim® AQ Cartridge include the following: abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea, breast pain, injection site reaction, enlarged abdomen, back pain, constipation, headache, ovarian pain, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), sinusitis, and upper respiratory tract infection.
Contact your doctor without delay if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, including significant abdominal pain, or if symptoms develop some days after the last injection has been given. For additional information on Follistim® AQ Cartridge, including the complete list of side effects and safety information, download the full prescribing information.
Safety Information
The following safety information is important for you and your healthcare provider to know:
- Follistim® AQ Cartridge administered with Follistim Pen® delivers on average an 18% higher amount of follitropin beta compared to lyophilized preparations administered with a conventional syringe. A lower dose should be considered when using Follistim® AQ Cartridge.
Patients should follow their healthcare professional’s dosing instructions when administering Follistim® AQ Cartridge. Your healthcare professional will individualize the dose to be administered based on your medical history. Do not change your dose unless instructed by your healthcare professional.
- Follistim® AQ Cartridge, like all gonadotropins, is a potent substance capable of causing mild to severe side effects including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), with or without pulmonary or vascular complications.
- Follistim® AQ Cartridge should be used only by physicians who are experienced in infertility treatment and should advise their patients of treatment risks, including OHSS and multiple births.
Download the Full Prescribing Information
Download the Patient Information
results
Gonadotropins can raise pregnancy rates even higher than those seen in naturally fertile couples.
The graph below displays distribution of singleton and multiple pregnancies in women undergoing ovulation induction with injectable gonadotropins.
Safety Information:
- Follistim® AQ Cartridge administered with Follistim Pen® delivers on average an 18% higher amount of follitropin beta compared to lyophilized preparations administered with a conventional syringe. A lower dose should be considered when using Follistim® AQ Cartridge.
- Follistim® AQ Cartridge, like all gonadotropins, is a potent substance capable of causing mild to severe side effects including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), with or without pulmonary or vascular complications.
- Follistim® AQ Cartridge should be used only by physicians who are experienced in infertility treatment and should advise their patients of treatment risks, including OHSS and multiple births.
Please see accompanying Full Prescribing Information.
Pregnyl® should be used in conjunction with gonadotropins. Serious adverse reactions associated with Pregnyl® may include, Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) with or without vascular complications, rupture of ovarian cysts with resultant hemoperitoneum, multiple births, arterial thromboembolism. Only physicians experienced in infertility treatment should prescribe Pregnyl®.