Fertility Medication Information

Description

Antagon/Ganirelix Side Effects

• Headaches
• Nausea

DO NOT USE if you have a latex allergy.

Administration Site

Subcutaneous (SQ)

Description

Used to prevent premature LH surge in women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation.

Cetrocide Side Effects

• Headaches
• Nausea

Administration Site

Subcutaneous (SQ)

Description

Used to induce ovulation by acting on the pituitary gland to release the hormones that induce follicle development within the ovary.

Clomid Side Effects

• Hot flashes
• Mood swings
• Breast tenderness
• Nausea
• Headaches

These side effects are not serious and usually go away once the medication is stopped for that cycle.

Administration Site

A pill that is taken orally.

Description

Estrogen replacement is used during your treatment cycle to improve the thickness of your uterine lining for an embryo to implant and to maintain the uterine environment for a pregnancy to grow.

Estrace Side Effects

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Bloating
• Stomach cramps
• Stomach upset
• Breast tenderness/pain/swelling
• Headache
• Weight changes
• Freckles or darkening of facial skin
• Loss of scalp hair
• Vaginal itching or discharge
• Changes in your menstrual periods
• Breakthrough bleeding

Administration Site

Estrace is a pill that is prescribed either for vaginal insertion or to be taken orally. Your nurse will instruct you whether you should take your Estrace orally or vaginally.

Description

Used to induce ovulation and is responsible for stimulating growth and the maturation of the eggs.

Follistim Side Effects

• Occasionally headache
• Slight water retention
• Moodiness

Administration Site

Subcutaneous (SQ)

Intramuscular (IM) – Only when instructed by your nurse. 

Description

Used to induce ovulation and is responsible for stimulating growth and the maturation of the eggs.

Gonal-F Side Effects

• Occasionally headache
• Slight water retention
• Moodiness

Administration Site

Subcutaneous (SQ) or Intramuscular (IM) – You will be instructed your administration site by your nurse.

Description

Used to induce ovulation and is responsible for stimulating growth and the maturation of the eggs.

Gonal-F Multi-Dose Side Effects

• Occasionally headache
• Slight water retention
• Moodiness

Administration Site

Intramuscular (IM) or Subcutaneous (SQ) – You will be instructed your administration site by your nurse. 

Description

Used to induce ovulation and is responsible for stimulating growth and the maturation of the eggs.

Gonal-F Pen Side Effects

• Occasionally headache
• slight water retention
• Moodiness

Administration Site

Subcutaneous (SQ) or Intramuscular (IM) – You will be instructed your administration site by your nurse.

Description

Used to induce ovulation and is responsible for stimulating growth and the maturation of the eggs.

Gonal F Redi-Ject Side Effects

• Occasionally headache
• Slight water retention
• Moodiness

Administration Site

Subcutaneous (SQ) or Intramuscular (IM). You will be instructed your administration site by your nurse.

Description

Letrozole is a drug used frequently to induce ovulation. This drug acts on the pituitary gland to release the hormones that induce follicle development within the ovary.

Letrozole Side Effects

• Hot flashes
• Mood swings
• Breast tenderness
• Nausea
• Headaches

These side effects are not serious and usually go away once the medication is stopped for that cycle.

Administration Site

A pill that is taken orally.

Description

Lupron Injection (leuprolide acetate) prevents the usual hormone exchange that causes follicle production and ovulation by suppressing the pituitary stimulation to the ovaries. This allows gonadatropin to stimulate a more uniform development of multiple follicles. Lupron dosages can vary based on your treatment protocol, confirm with your nurse your dose and time to administer.

Lupron/Leuprolide Acetate Side Effects

• Occasional Headaches
• Fatigue
• Hot Flashes

These side effects are not serious and usually go away once the medication is stopped for that cycle.

Administration Site

Subcutaneous Injection.

Description

Used to induce ovulation and is responsible for stimulating growth and the maturation of the eggs.

Menopur Side Effects

• Occasionally headache
• Slight water retention
• Moodiness

Administration Site

Subcutaneous (SQ) or Intramuscular (IM). You will be instructed your administration site by your nurse.

Description

Simulates the body’s normal LH surge causing the final maturation of the eggs. It is expected that ovulation will take place 38-40 hours after HCG. You will be instructed by your nurse, your dose and injection site based on your treatment protocol.

Novarel/Pregnyl Side Effects

Occasionally low abdominal (pelvic) discomfort.

Administration Site

Intramuscular (IM) or Subcutaneous (SQ) – You will be instructed your injection site by your nurse. 

Description

Enhances aromatase activity that is needed to convert androgens like testosterone into estrogen in the body in order to stimulate ovulation.

Omnitrope Side Effects

Local reactions at the injection site (such as pain, numbness, redness and swelling)

• Headaches
• Swelling associated with fluid retention
• Pain in joints and muscle pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tingling and numbness
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia/diabetes) and sugar in your urine (glucosuria)
• Unusual skin sensations
• Low levels of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism)

Administration Site

Subcutaneous (SQ) or Intramuscular (IM) – You will be instructed your injection site by your nurse. 

Description

Simulates the body’s normal LH surge causing the final maturation of the eggs. It is expected that ovulation will take place 38-40 hours after injection.

Ovidrel Side Effects

Occasionally low abdominal (pelvic) discomfort.

Administration Site

Subcutaneous (SQ)

Description

Progesterone is the hormone necessary for the preparation of the uterine lining for the implantation of the embryo and the maintenance of early pregnancy.

Progesterone in Oil Side Effects

• Breast tenderness
• Injection site tenderness
• Vaginal discharge

Administration Site

Intramuscular (IM)

Description

Progesterone is used to maintain the lining of the uterus and support a pregnancy. This medication will continue until your pregnancy test and then, if pregnant, you will be tapered off during the first trimester through monitoring of progesterone levels.

Prometrium Side Effects

• Crampy feeling
• Breast tenderness
• Drowsiness or dizziness
• Depression

**Do not take Prometrium if you are allergic to peanuts**

Administration Site

Vaginal Insertion

Description

Saizen® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] is a prescription medicine indicated for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) to replace growth hormone in adults because of either a deficiency that started as a child or started as an adult due to pituitary disease, hypothalamic disease, surgery, radiation therapy, or trauma.

Saizen Side Effects

• Injection site tenderness
• Low levels of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism)
• Pain in joints and muscle pain
• Swelling associated with fluid retention
• Tingling and numbness
• Unusual skin sensations
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Increased blood sugar (hyperglycemia)

Administration Site

Intramuscular injection (IM)

Description

The Vivelle patch is a form of estrogen that helps maintain an early pregnancy.

Vivelle Patch Side Effects

Some women will have a reaction to the adhesive, which includes:

• Skin redness
• Irritation
• Welting

Other side effects include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Breast swelling and tenderness
• Nipple discharge
• Headache
• Back pain
• Joint pain
• Weight changes
• Acne
• Skin color changes
• Increased facial hair
• Thinning scalp hair
• Cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, sinus pain, sore throat)
• Changes in your menstrual periods
• Breakthrough bleeding

Administration Site

Apply the patch to the skin much like a band-aid.  It may be placed anywhere on your torso; however, Do not apply near your breast tissue.  The lower abdomen is a good place to start.