Patient Information Services
AGONIST
- Synarel (Nasal Spray) or
- Lucrin (subcutaneous injection) (Agonists) or
- Decapeptyl (Subcutaneous injection)
- Acts on the pituitary gland to desensitise (down-regulate) before commencing a stimulation cycle.
- It can also trigger the final maturation of oocytes before egg collection.
- Treatment may begin in the early follicular phase (Day 2 of the cycle) or the mid-luteal phase (usually Day 21 of the preceding cycle) or to trigger final maturation (end of stimulation).
- Causes an initial and transient increase in the pituitary hormones (LH and FSH) – leading to a temporary rise in ovarian hormone production.
- Repeated dosing leads to a decrease in the secretion of LH and FSH from the pituitary gland – resulting in a reduction in ovarian hormone production. This provides a more controlled situation for stimulating follicle production.
- Down-regulation of the pituitary can prevent the LH surge –thereby preventing premature ovulation.
- Headaches
- Hot flushes
- Mood swings
- Vaginal dryness
- Changed in libido
Synarel: store below 25ºC and away from light.
Lucrin: refrigerate (2-8 degrees) Do not freeze.
Decapeptyl: refrigerate (2-8 degrees) Do not freeze.
FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH) (Subcutaneous injections)
Gonal F or Puregon or Menopur or Bemfola or Rekovelle and Elonva
Acts directly on the ovaries to stimulate follicular development and hormone production within the ovaries to collect multiple mature eggs at egg collection.
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Pelvic pain
- Pelvic discomfort
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Tender breasts
- Mood swings
- Fluid retention
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
Refrigerate (2-8 degrees). Do not freeze.
RECOMBINANT HUMAN LUTEINISING HORMONE (R-HLH) (Subcutaneous injections)
Luveris
Used in conjunction with Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) injections for patients with low levels of luteinising hormone (LH). It helps to increase follicular oestradiol secretion and induce follicular development. It may occasionally be used in patients with a previous poor response.
- Headaches
- Pelvic pain
- Pelvic discomfort
- Nausea
- Soreness and redness at injection site
- Mild or moderate OHSS
Store below 25 degrees. Protect from light.
RECOMBINANT HUMAN FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (R-HFSH) AND RECOMBINANT HUMAN LUTEINISING HORMONE (R-HLH) (Subcutaneous injections)
Pergoveris
- A combination of FSH and LH into one injection. Stimulates follicular development and hormone production within the ovaries with the aim of recruiting multiple mature eggs at egg collection.
- Used for patients with low levels of luteinising hormone (LH). It helps to increase follicular oestradiol secretion and induce follicular development.
- May occasionally be used in patients who have had a previous poor response.
- Headaches
- Abdominal tenderness and swelling
- Breast tenderness
- Nausea
- Mood swings
- Dizziness
- Fluid retention
- Tender ovaries
- OHSS
Store below 25 degrees. Protect from light.
AGONISTS (Subcutaneous injections)
Cetrotide or Orgalutran
- Used to prevent premature ovulation by inhibiting pituitary LH and FSH secretion.
- Must be taken at the same time every day.
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Itchiness
- Soreness and redness over the injection site.
- Cetrotide: store below 30 degrees.
- Orgalutran: store below 30 degrees.
TRIGGERS
Ovidrel or Pregnyl or GnRH Agonist
Induces the final maturation process of eggs within follicles just before ovulation. Also used to support the lining of the uterus after embryo transfer and is commonly known as a “trigger” injection.
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Itchiness
- Soreness and redness over the injection site
- Ovidrel: refrigerate (2-8 degrees). Do not freeze.
- Pregnyl: Refrigerate (2-8 degrees). Do not freeze.
LUTEAL MEDICATIONS
Crinone or Oripro or Endometrinor or Utrogestan
All contain progesterone to support the lining of the uterus after an embryo transfer in Assisted Reproduction Treatment (e.g. IVF and Frozen Embryo Transfer cycles).
- Uterine cramps
- Headaches
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Difficulty passing urine
- Thrush-like symptoms
- Crinone: store below 25 degrees in a cool dry place.
- Oripro: store below 25 degrees in a coo; dry place.
- Endomitrin: store below 25 degrees in a cool dry place.
- Utrogestan: store below 30 degrees in a cool dry place.
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