About follitropin alfa
Recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone
Used for
- Stimulates egg development during assisted reproduction, including IVF.
- Treats infertility from inadequate ovulation in selected women.
- Stimulates sperm production in selected men with low gonadotropins, usually with hCG.
Usual adult dose
Individualised by a fertility specialist; commonly 150–225 IU under the skin daily for ovarian stimulation. Male treatment is usually 150 IU three times weekly with hCG.
Common side effects
- Headache, abdominal discomfort, nausea, or injection-site reactions.
- Ovarian enlargement or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
- Multiple pregnancy, especially during fertility treatment.
- Blood clots or ovarian twisting, rarely.
Important warnings
- Use only under specialist supervision with ultrasound and, when needed, hormone monitoring.
- OHSS can become severe; seek urgent assessment for marked abdominal swelling, pain, vomiting, or breathing difficulty.
- Treatment may need to stop if ovaries respond excessively or pregnancy occurs.
- Not suitable with certain ovarian, breast, uterine, testicular, or brain tumours, or unexplained bleeding.
Pregnancy
Not used once pregnancy is established; it does not benefit an existing pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
Not recommended; use during breastfeeding has not been adequately studied.
Interactions
- Other fertility medicines, including gonadotropins, may alter ovarian response.
- No major interactions are well established; tell the specialist about all medicines.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.