Gonadorelin, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: gonadotropin; infertility therapy

Generic and brand names: gonadorelin, injection; Factrel; Lutrepulse; Relisorm

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is a fertility drug given by injection (shot) to help a woman get pregnant. It helps a woman's body release eggs from her ovaries so that they can be fertilized during intercourse. It is also used to help men produce sperm.

It is also used for in vitro fertilization, where eggs are taken out of the woman's body, fertilized by sperm, and put back into her uterus.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before using this medicine, tell your health care provider if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to other hormonal infertility treatments
• are infertile due to medical problems other than polycystic ovary disease
• have thyroid or adrenal gland problems
• have tumors of the ovary, uterus, testicles, or pituitary gland
• have unusual vaginal bleeding
• have an ovarian cyst or any unusual growth in the ovaries
• are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Females of childbearing age: Do not have shots of this medicine if you are already pregnant or breast-feeding because it may seriously harm the baby. Birth defects have occurred in babies born to women who had these shots during pregnancy.

How do I use it?

Shots of this medicine are timed with your monthly periods. Your health care provider will determine the dosage and the number of shots you will receive based on your response to the first few shots. You will be given these shots over several days or weeks.

The shots are given just under the skin. If your health care provider is giving you the shots, keep all your appointments.

Sometimes you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Be sure you know how and when to have shots and how much medicine to use. Use sterile, disposable syringes and needles. Use each syringe and needle only once and dispose of them safely, following your health care provider's instructions.

Carefully read and follow the directions that come in the package of medicine for preparing the shots. Wash your hands before using this medicine. Follow these steps to give yourself the shots:

1. Your health care provider will tell you where you can give yourself the shots (abdomen, thigh, upper arm, or other sites). If you are giving the shot in your abdomen, choose a site) around the belly button but not in the belly button. Each day, choose a different spot for the shot to lessen irritation.
2. Use an alcohol swab to clean the skin where you will give yourself the shot.
3. Gently pinch up the skin and insert the needle into the skin at a 45° angle. After you insert the needle completely, release your grasp of the skin.
4. Inject all of the solution by gently and steadily pushing down the plunger.
5. After you have given yourself the shot, withdraw the needle and syringe and press an alcohol swab on the spot where the shot was given.
6. Discard the syringe, needle, and drug vial. Use the syringes and needles ONLY ONCE. Throw them away after use. Put used needles in rigid puncture-resistant containers with lids or caps, such as heavy plastic bleach bottles with screw caps. DO NOT throw needles directly into garbage cans or dumpsters.

When you repeat the procedure, use a new pack.

If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your health care provider or pharmacist for help.

What should I watch out for?

If you are not having in vitro fertilization, your health care provider will tell you on which days each month you need to have sexual intercourse. It may take several months to become pregnant.

You need many tests, including ultrasound exams and blood tests, during treatment with this medicine. You may also receive shots of other medicines. Keep all your appointments for treatment and tests.

Your ovaries may become enlarged, which may cause mild abdominal bloating and pain. Contact your health care provider if these symptoms last more than 2 to 3 weeks or if they become severe.

Rarely, this medicine causes a condition called ovarian hypersensitivity syndrome. The symptoms are severe abdominal bloating and pain, nausea, vomiting, rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, and reduced urination. If you have these symptoms, contact your health care provider right away because you need special treatment.

Multiple births (two or more babies from one pregnancy) may occur as a result of treatment with this medicine. Talk with your health care provider about the possibility of multiple births.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Sudden severe headache or vomiting; dizziness or fainting; problems with vision or speech; weakness or numbness in an arm or leg; pain in the calf; vaginal bleeding that continues; severe abdominal bloating and pain; shortness of breath; reduced urination; rapid weight gain; nausea; diarrhea.

Other: Minor abdominal bloating and pain, irritation where the shots are given, breast tenderness, hot flashes, headache, dry skin, hair loss.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

Be sure that you tell your health care provider if you are having shots of other hormones.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.