follicle stimulating hormone (injectable) Health Article

Generic name(s):

follicle stimulating hormone (injectable)

Brand name(s):

follicle stimulating hormone, Follistim, Follistim AQ, Gonal-F, Gonal-f RFF, Gonal-f RFF Pen

What is the most important information I should know about follicle stimulating hormone?

Treatment with follicle stimulating hormone increases the likelihood of multiple births. Multiple births carry additional risk both for the mother and for fetuses. Discuss the risk of multiple births with your healthcare provider.

What is follicle stimulating hormone?

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a naturally occurring hormone. FSH is important in the development of follicles (eggs) produced by the ovaries. FSH is also important in the development of sperm.

Follicle stimulating hormone is used to stimulate a follicle (egg) to develop and mature. It is used when a woman desires pregnancy and her ovaries can produce a follicle but hormonal stimulation is not sufficient to make the follicle mature. Follicle stimulating hormone is also used to stimulate the development of multiple eggs for in vitro fertilization. Follicle stimulating hormone can be used by men to increase the production of sperm.

Follicle stimulating hormone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using follicle stimulating hormone?

Follicle stimulating hormone will not induce ovulation if the ovaries are not capable of producing an egg. Also, follicle stimulating hormone will not induce the production of sperm if the testes are not capable of producing sperm.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you

• might be pregnant;

• have a thyroid problem;

• have adrenal dysfunction;

• have cancer or a tumor of the breast, ovary, uterus, hypothalamus, or pituitary gland;

• have undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding; or

• have ovarian cysts or enlargement not due to polycystic ovary disease (PCOD).

You may not be able to use follicle stimulating hormone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Treatment with follicle stimulating hormone increases the likelihood of multiple births. Multiple births carry additional risk both for the mother and for fetuses. Discuss the risk of multiple births with your healthcare provider.

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to neomycin or streptomycin. The Follistim AQ Cartridge may contain traces of these antibiotics and may cause allergic reactions.

Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. Follicle stimulating hormone is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that follicle stimulating hormone is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby (when used beyond the period of ovulation). It is not known whether follicle stimulating hormone passes into breast milk. Do not use follicle stimulating hormone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.