how does this medication work? what will it do for me?
gonadorelin belongs to the class of medications called ovulatory agents. gonadorelin is used to cause ovulation for women who do not have a period. by promoting ovulation, gonadorelin helps to improve fertility, helping women to become pregnant. it is used for women who are not producing enough gonadotropin-releasing hormone (gnrh), a hormone released by an area of the brain called the hypothalamus that plays a role in fertility.
your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. if you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are using this medication, speak to your doctor. do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. it can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
what form(s) does this medication come in?
0.8 mg/vial
each vial of lyophilized, sterile powder contains 0.8 mg of gonadorelin acetate providing 0.73 mg of gonadorelin base. nonmedicinal ingredients: hydrochloric acid for ph adjustment and 10.0 mg of mannitol as a carrier.
3.2 mg/vial
each vial of lyophilized, sterile powder contains 3.2 mg of gonadorelin acetate providing 2.91 mg of gonadorelin base. nonmedicinal ingredients: hydrochloric acid for ph adjustment and 10.0 mg of mannitol as a carrier.
each package also contains 10 ml of sterile isotonic sodium chloride diluents (sodium chloride, water for injection and hydrochloric acid for ph adjustment).
how should i use this medication?
the usual dose of gonadorelin is 5 µg every 90 minutes injected under the skin or into a vein by an infusion pump. the dose may be increased or decreased according to response and can range between 1 µg and 20 µg. this medication usually starts to work about 2 to 3 weeks after treatment is started. treatment is usually continued for another 2 weeks after ovulation occurs.
many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. if your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
your doctor or another health care professional will show you exactly how to mix the medication and use and care for the infusion pump. once the dose of medication has been prepared, it should be used immediately. discard any unused material after use. do not use your injectable solution if it appears cloudy, lumpy, or discoloured. read the patient information carefully and ask your doctor or health care professional any question you may have.
it is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. your doctor will monitor how you are responding to the medication and frequent appointments will be necessary. if the needle comes out or if there is blood in the tubing, contact your doctor.
store the medication and the sodium chloride to mix with the medication at room temperature in the unopened package. once the solution is mixed, use it immediately.
keep this medication out of the reach of children.
do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
who should not take this medication?
do not use gonadorelin if you:
- are allergic to gonadorelin or any ingredients of the medication
- have a medical condition that could be worsened by pregnancy (e.g., certain tumours of the pituitary gland)
- have a medical condition that could be worsened by reproductive hormones (e.g., estrogen or progesterone), such as hormone-dependent tumours
- have ovarian cysts
what side effects are possible with this medication?
many medications can cause side effects. a side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
the side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who uses this medication. if you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
the following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people using this medication. many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- headache
- irritation at the site of injection
- nausea
although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- abdominal pain
- agitation
- fever or chills
- increased menstrual bleeding
- swelling, pain, itching, redness, or hardening of the skin at the place of injection
- signs of depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
stop using the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of a severe allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, flushing, fast heart rate, or itchy skin rash
- symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (ohss):
- abdominal or pelvic discomfort or pain
- decreased urination
- diarrhea
- difficulty breathing
- nausea
- rapid weight gain
- vomiting
some people may experience side effects other than those listed. check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. these factors may affect how you should use this medication.
ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (ohss): in rare instances, treatment with this medication can cause a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (ohss). with ohss, too many follicles grow, which can cause abdominal or pelvic discomfort or pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight gain. some women may experience difficulty breathing and diarrhea. ohss can progress rapidly and may become serious. if you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
multiple births: multiple births may occur with fertility medications. talk to your doctor about the risks of multiple births before beginning treatment.
pregnancy: this medication should be used during pregnancy only as part of the fertility treatment.
breast-feeding: it is not known if gonadorelin passes into breast milk. if you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
children: this medication is intended for use by women of child-bearing age. its safety and effectiveness have not been established for children.
seniors: this medication is intended for use by women of child-bearing age. its safety and effectiveness have not been established for seniors.
what other drugs could interact with this medication?
there may be an interaction between gonadorelin and any of the following:
- other medications used to stimulate ovulation
if you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
an interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. also tell them about any supplements you take. since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
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