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Follitropin Alfa

Drugs for Infertility Prescription
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Indications

Gonal-F, with the active ingredient follitropin alfa, is used in several fertility treatments. It is prescribed to bring on ovulation and help pregnancy in women who have oligo-anovulatory infertility, meaning they ovulate rarely or not at all. This applies only when the cause is functional and not due to primary ovarian failure. In ovulatory infertile women, it is also used to encourage the development of multiple follicles as part of an assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle. In men, follitropin alfa is used to start sperm production in infertile men with azoospermia (no sperm in the semen) caused by primary or secondary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Gonal-F is given for this only when the infertility is not due to primary testicular failure.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Follitropin alfa stimulates ovarian follicular growth in women who do not have primary ovarian failure. To bring about final maturation of the follicle and ovulation in the absence of a natural LH surge, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) must be given after Follitropin Alfa, once monitoring shows that sufficient follicular development has been achieved. In men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, Follitropin Alfa stimulates sperm production when given together with hCG.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Follitropin Alfa should not be used during pregnancy. After some assisted reproductive technology procedures, particularly in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), the rate of congenital malformations may be a little higher than after natural conception. This slightly higher rate is thought to relate to differences in parental characteristics (such as maternal age and the genetic background of both parents and their sperm), as well as to a higher rate of multiple pregnancies following IVF or ICSI. No human data show that gonadotropins, whether Follitropin Alfa alone or as part of an IVF or ICSI cycle, raise the risk of congenital malformations.

There is no information on whether Follitropin Alfa passes into human milk, what effect it may have on a breastfed infant, or what effect it may have on milk production. Since prolactin released during breastfeeding can lead to a poor response to ovarian stimulation, women are advised not to breastfeed while being treated with Follitropin Alfa.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Initial Dose (First Cycle) for Ovulation Induction- Give 75 International Units of follitropin alfa subcutaneously each day for 14 days as the initial dosage. Individualize the dosage after the 14-day period, and do not exceed 300 International Units per day. Initial Dose (First Cycle) for Development of Multiple Follicles in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)- Give 150 International Units subcutaneously per day as the initial dosage. Adjust the dosage after 3 to 5 days, in increments of 75 to 150 International Units at each adjustment, and do not exceed 450 International Units per day. Males with Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism and Azoospermia- Use together with hCG. Before starting combined therapy with follitropin alfa and hCG, pretreat with hCG alone at 1,000 to 2,250 USP units two to three times a week to bring serum testosterone to normal levels, which can take 3 to 6 months. Once testosterone has normalized, give 150 International Units of follitropin alfa subcutaneously three times a week along with 1,000 USP units of hCG (or the dose needed to keep serum testosterone within the normal range) three times a week.

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

No side-effect data recorded yet.