Menotropins, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: gonadotropin; ovulation stimulator

Generic and brand names: menotropins, injection; Humegon; Pergonal; Repronex

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to treat infertility (when a man cannot father a baby or a woman cannot become pregnant). In women, this medicine stimulates the release of eggs from the ovaries. Occasionally, the eggs are taken from the woman's body during surgery as part of an in vitro fertilization program. In men, this medicine stimulates the production of sperm.

How do I use it?

Females: You will receive this medicine by injection (shots into a large muscle). You will have a shot each day for 7 to 10 days in a row. On the day after the last shot, you will receive a shot of another medicine to complete one course of treatment. It may take several courses of treatment for you to become pregnant.

Males: You may receive shots of another medicine for several months before receiving this medicine. Then you will receive shots of this medicine 3 times a week and shots of the other medicine twice a week for at least 3 months to stimulate sperm production.

The shots are given into the muscle. You may be able to give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Be sure you know how and when to have them and how much medicine to use. Use sterile, disposable syringes and needles. Use them only once and dispose of them safely, following your health care provider's instructions.

These shots are normally given in the thigh muscle, the upper arms or the buttocks. Your health care provider will determine which muscle sites you can use and the exact dosage of the medicine.

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. Select an injection site. To lessen irritation, choose a different spot and alternate the side used to give the shot each day.
2. Use an alcohol swab to clean the skin where you will give yourself the shot. Let the skin dry and avoid touching the area after you clean it.
3. Hold the syringe at a 90° angle to the muscle (straight up and down with the needle pointed toward the muscle).
4. With the other hand, hold the muscle firmly.
5. Insert the needle straight into the skin with a quick, firm motion.
6. Gently pull back on the plunger of the syringe. If no blood appears, inject all of the solution by gently and steadily pushing down the plunger until the syringe is empty. If blood appears when you pull back on the plunger, withdraw the needle and syringe and gently press the alcohol swab on the injection site. Start over with a fresh needle.
7. After you have given yourself the medicine, withdraw the needle quickly, at the same angle it was inserted, and press the alcohol swab on the spot where the shot was given.
8. 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.

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?

This medicine may cause an allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in the chest, trouble breathing). If you develop any of these symptoms, get emergency medical treatment right away.

This medicine may cause multiple births (2 or more babies from one pregnancy). Discuss this with your health care provider.

Females: This medicine may cause severe ovarian enlargement, abdominal pain or bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing, and reduced urination. If you have these symptoms, contact your health care provider right away because you may need special treatment.

Do not receive shots of this medicine if you are already pregnant or are breast-feeding because it may seriously harm the baby.

Males: This medicine may cause abnormal liver tests. Discuss this with your health care provider.

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):

• Females: abdominal pain or bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing, reduced urination.

Other:

• Females: Fever, chills, muscle or joint pain, headache, swelling or irritation at the spot where the shots are given.
• Males: Swelling or inflammation of breasts, breast pain, nausea.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

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.

How should I store this medicine?

The powder may be refrigerated or stored at room temperature. After mixing, inject immediately and dispose of any medicine you have not used.

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.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.