Infertility Medications

Medications are a regular and normal part of infertility treatments and the IVF procedure. These medications are used to prepare the body for treatment and to increase the probability that more healthy eggs are released from the ovaries. Your reproductive specialists will evaluate your situation to determine the most appropriate medications for your treatment process.

The Following Medications Are Used For Ovarian Stimulation

Clomiphene citrate: There are two types of medications. Clomid™ and Serophene™ are both tablets administered orally most commonly to stimulate ovulation in women who have infrequent periods or long cycles. Potential side effects include:

• Increased incidence of multiple birth
• Increased incidence of miscarriage
• Hot flashes, nausea, and breast tenderness
• Headaches or blurred vision
• Depression and mood swings
• Ovarian cysts and pelvic discomfort

Synthetic Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): Intramuscular injections used to induce the final maturational changes in the eggs and prepare them for retrieval. Common hCG medications include: Pregnyl™, Profasi™ and Novarel™. There are no known side effects.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): An injection given below the skin that bypasses the hypothalamus and pituitary glands to directly stimulate follicle growth in the ovaries. Common FSH medications include: Fertinex™, Follistim™, and Gonal-F™. Potential side effects include:

• Increased incidence of multiple birth
• Increased incidence of miscarriage and premature delivery
• Breast tenderness, swelling, or rash at injection site
• Mood swings and depression

Hyperstimulation syndrome which includes enlarged ovaries, abdominal pain and bloating Human Menopausal Gonadotropins (hMG): An injection that contains equal parts of FSH and LH (luteinizing hormone), or hCG as an LH substitute, given to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs during one cycle. Common hMG medications include: Humegon™, Pergonal™, and Repronex™. These are the most potent ovulation medications currently used today. Potential side effects include the same as noted above for FSH.

Bromocriptine and Cabergoline: Oral medications used to reduce the amount of prolactin released by the pituitary. The brand name for bromocriptine is Parlodel™ and the brand name for cabergoline is Dostinex™. Potential side effects include:

• Nausea, vomiting, nasal congestion
• Headache, dizziness, fainting
• Decreased blood pressure

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone: An injection used to stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete LH and FSH. Common names for GnRH medications include: Factrel™ and Lutrepulse™. Potential side effects include:

• Slight chance of multiple births
• Mild hyperstimulation which includes enlarged ovaries, abdominal pain, and bloating
• Headaches and nausea

The Following Medications Are Used to Prevent Premature Ovulation

GnRH Agonists (Analogs): There are two types of medications. Lupron™ and Zoladex™ are injections given below the skin and Synarel™ is a nasal spray. These medications are used to enable the body to produce a higher number of quality eggs. These medications are also designed to prevent the mid-cycle hormonal surge which can result in a cancelled cycle. Potential side effects include:

• Hot flashes
• Headache
• Mood swings
• Insomnia
• Vaginal dryness
• Decreased breast size
• Painful intercourse
• Bone loss

GnRH Antagonists: These medications, Antagon™ and Cetrotide™, are injections administered for three to four days. These medications operate as antagonists of the gonadotropin causing the hormone (GnRH) to be released to help prevent premature ovulation. Potential side effects are the same as GnRH.

Other Medications Used to Enhance Fertility Treatments

Medrol: A steroid provided daily for four days during the cycle to assist with pre-embryo implantation.