Hormonal drugs are very important in all assisted reproduction treatments. Thanks to them, it is possible to control the production of eggs in the ovaries and increase the chances of getting pregnant.
Gonal-f 75 is a drug used during ovarian stimulation in a fertility treatment. It is composed of the FSH hormone (follicle-stimulating hormone) at a lower dose than the other formats of Gonal and its application mode is by injection.
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Composition and packaging
Gonal's active ingredient is alpha-folitropin, a type of follicle-stimulating hormone belonging to the gonadotropin family of hormones. Alpha-folitropin is obtained recombinantly (rFSH) by genetic engineering from Chinese hamster ovary cells.
Each vial of Gonal-f 75 contains 5.5 micrograms (mcg) of alpha-folithropin, which is equivalent to 75 IU. In addition, Gonal-f 75 is composed of:
- Sucrose: 30 mg
- Disodium phosphate dihydrate: 1.11 mg
- Monosodium phosphate monohydrate: 0.45 mg
- Methionine: 0.1 mg
- Polysorbate 20: 0.05 mg
As for the different presentations or packages with which Gonal-f 75 can be found, there are 2 formats:
- Packaging A: 1 glass vial with powder + 1 glass vial with solvent for solution for injection.
- Packaging B: 10 glass ampoules with powder + 10 glass ampoules with solvent for solution for injection
The costs of Gonal-f 75 varies depending on the packaging. Thus, a single vial costs $85 and 10 vials cost $750 in the US. For U.K. patients it is 31,36 pounds. Reduced contribution. A pack of 10 vials cost 241,56 pounds. Hospital diagnosis. Reduced contribution.
Indications and Mechanism of action
Gonal-f 75 is administered to women undergoing fertility treatment, during a controlled ovarian stimulation.
It can be prescribed in both an artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle, be it classic IVF or intracytoplasmic injection (ICSI). The dose of medication will vary in each case.
Although less common, it is also given in men to promote or stimulate spermatogenesis (sperm production).
In pharmacies, this medicine is available as GONAL-f 75 Solution for Injection 75 IU (5.5 mcg).
Gonal's mechanism of action is to provoke multiple follicular development, that is, the maturation of several eggs at once in the ovaries. In this way, it is possible to obtain a greater number of eggs to fertilize and thus increase the possibility of achieving a pregnancy.
Mode of administration
The form of administration of Gonal-f is subcutaneous, that is, through an injection just under the skin.
To do this, it is recommended that you follow the instructions below:
- The first injection is done under the supervision of a doctor or nurse, who will teach the patient how to do it the next few times.
- Prepare the injection: mix the powder correctly with the solvent.
- Inject the solution immediately after preparation.
- The injection should be given once a day at the same time.
- Alternate the injection site daily to avoid lipoatrophy.
- Discard the needle each time after the injection.
It should be mentioned that this medication should only be administered under medical supervision and according to the doctor’s instructions. In addition, to buy it at the pharmacy you will need a prescription.
Contraindications and side effects
Some patients may not be able to take Gonal-f 75 to avoid adverse effects. It is not indicated in the following cases:
- Hypersensitivity to alpha-folitropin or FSH
- Tumors of the hypothalamus or pituitary
- Enlarged ovaries or cysts not caused by PCOS.
- Gynecological hemorrhages of unknown origin
- Ovarian, uterine, or breast carcinoma
Nor should it be used in cases where an effective response is not obtained in situations of primary ovarian failure, malformation of sexual organs, fibroid tumours of the uterus incompatible with pregnancy or primary testicular failure.
Adverse reaction to Gonal-f 75 is suspected when symptoms such as redness, bruising, pain, swelling, and/or irritation appear at the injection site.
As for the side effects that Gonal-f 75 can cause, we can differentiate between those suffered by women and those suffered by men:
- In women
- abdominal pain, discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal distension, ovarian cysts, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, etc.
- In men
- acne, gynecomastia, varicocele, weight gain, etc.
FAQs from users
How do I have to store Gonal-f 75?
The drug Gonal-f 75, is a drug containing Folitropin alpha, recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) by recombinant DNA technology. Each vial of Gonal-f 75, contains 5.5 micrograms of Folitropin alpha, equivalent to 75 IU. Therefore, each ml of the reconstituted solution in a single freeze-dried vial (powder) contains 75 IU.
Gonal-f 75 acts by producing a multiple follicular development in the ovary of women subjected to ovarian stimulation for assisted reproduction techniques (ART), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), insemination or ovulation induction. But it is also used to stimulate spermatogenesis in men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
Gonal-f 75 should be kept at a temperature not exceeding 25ºC; therefore, in hot periods such as spring or summer it is preferable to keep it in the refrigerator.
This drug should be kept with the original packaging if possible to protect it from light and above all, like any medicine, keep it out of the reach of children. In addition, it should not be used after the expiry date (it could lose its function) and should not be used if there are any visible signs of deterioration in the freeze-dried product (powder).
When preparing the gonal solution, the recommendation is to use it immediately and not to postpone its use for more than 24 hours.
How do you inject Gonal-f 75 to get the right dose?
First of all, we must be clear about the daily dose that the gynecologist has prescribed for ovarian stimulation. The entire vial of Gonal-f 75 is 75 IU. Therefore, if the prescribed amount is precisely 75 IU, the whole vial should simply be loaded into the syringe once the powder has been mixed with the solvent.
Is it possible to combine Gonal-f 75 with Menopur?
The answer is yes. There are some specialists who guide the combination of these two drugs for ovarian stimulation, so that both are given with the same injection. The woman will prepare the mixture beforehand, always following the doctor's instructions.
The difference between Menopur and Gonal is that it also includes the LH (luteinizing hormone) in its composition, in addition to the FSH hormone.
Suggested for you
In addition to Gonal-f, there are many other medications that are used throughout the process of assisted reproduction. If you are interested in reading more about this topic, you can click on the following link: What medications are used for ovarian stimulation?
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References
Spanish Agency of Medicines and Health Products. CIMA. GONAL-F 75 UI (5,5 microgram) POWDER AND SOLVENT FOR SOLUTION FOR INJECTION REGISTRATION NUMBER: 95001025. Technical data sheet or summary of product characteristics. (Link)
Spanish Agency of Medicines and Health Products. CIMA. GONAL-F 75 UI (5,5 microgram) POWDER AND SOLVENT FOR SOLUTION FOR INJECTION REGISTRATION NUMBER: 95001027.Technical data sheet or summary of product characteristics. (Link)
European Medicines Agency. GONAL-f: EPAR - Product Information. Last actualization: 10/08/2018 (Link)
European Medicines Agency. GONAL-f: EPAR - Summary for the public. Last actualization: 28/09/2010 (Link)
FAQs from users: 'How do I have to store Gonal-f 75?', 'How do you inject Gonal-f 75 to get the right dose?' and 'Is it possible to combine Gonal-f 75 with Menopur?'.
