follicle stimulating hormone

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follicle stimulating hormone

Pronunciation: FOL ik al STIM ue lay ting HOR mone

Brand: Follistim AQ Cartridge, Gonal-F, Gonal-f RFF

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

You should not use this medicine if you have an untreated or uncontrolled endocrine disorder (thyroid, pituitary gland, or adrenal gland), heavy or abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor, an ovarian cyst, or cancer of the breast, ovary, uterus, testicle, hypothalamus, or pituitary gland.

Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.

What is follicle stimulating hormone?

Follicle stimulating hormone is used to treat infertility in women who cannot ovulate. This medicine is not effective in women with primary ovarian failure (when the ovaries are unable to produce an egg).

Follicle stimulating hormone is also used in men to stimulate sperm production. This medicine is not effective in men with primary testicular failure (when the testicles are unable to produce sperm).

Follicle stimulating hormone is often used together with another medication called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Follicle stimulating hormone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using follicle stimulating hormone.

You should not use follicle stimulating hormone if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

an untreated or uncontrolled disorder of the thyroid, pituitary gland, or adrenal glands;
heavy or abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;
an ovarian cyst;
cancer of the breast, ovary, uterus, testicle, hypothalamus, or pituitary gland; or
if you are allergic to benzyl alcohol, follitropin, sucrose, neomycin, sodium phosphate, or streptomycin.

Do not use this medicine if you are already pregnant. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

unusual vaginal bleeding;
polycystic ovary disease;
twisting (torsion) of your ovary;
a stroke or blood clot;
asthma; or
stomach surgery.

Fertility treatment may increase your chance of having multiple births (twins, triplets, etc). These are high-risk pregnancies both for the mother and the babies. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.

You should not breastfeed while using follicle stimulating hormone.

How should I use follicle stimulating hormone?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You must remain under the care of a doctor while using follicle stimulating hormone.

Follicle stimulating hormone is injected under the skin. A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all instructions.

You may need to mix this medicine with a liquid (diluent) before using it. When using injections by yourself, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medicine.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine looks cloudy or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

To get pregnant, you may need to have sex daily for several days in a row. The timing of sex and medication dosing is important for follicle stimulating hormone to work.

You will need frequent medical tests.

If you use this medicine to get pregnant, you may also need occasional ultrasound exams. Based on your blood work, you may need to stop having sex for a short time. Follow your doctor's instructions very carefully.

Storing this medicine unopened (not in use):

Refrigerate (do not freeze) and use until expiration date; or
Store at room temperature protected from light, and use within 3 months or until expiration date.

Storing this medicine opened (in use):

Store in a refrigerator (do not freeze), or at room temperature protected from light.
Use within 28 days.

Take the medicine out of the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature before injecting your dose. Do not heat the medicine.

Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using follicle stimulating hormone?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of follicle stimulating hormone?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some women using this medicine develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a potentially life-threatening condition. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of OHSS during or shortly after using follicle stimulating hormone:

severe pain in your lower stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
bloating, rapid weight gain;
little or no urination; or
trouble breathing.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

severe pelvic pain on one side;
a cough with bloody mucus;
fever, sore throat, swollen glands;
a lump or swelling in your testicles;
signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome --fever with shortness of breath or rapid breathing; or
signs of a blood clot --sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision or speech, swelling or redness in an arm or leg.

Common side effects may include:

redness, swelling, or bruising where an injection was given;
an ovarian cyst;
headache, tiredness;
breast pain or swelling;
stuffy nose, sneezing, sinus pain;
acne; or
nausea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect follicle stimulating hormone?

Other drugs may affect follicle stimulating hormone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about follicle stimulating hormone.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.01. Revision date: 2/14/2019.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read, understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by clicking on this link.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

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follicle stimulating hormone

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

What is follicle stimulating hormone?

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

How should I use follicle stimulating hormone?

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while using follicle stimulating hormone?

What are the possible side effects of follicle stimulating hormone?

What other drugs will affect follicle stimulating hormone?

Where can I get more information?

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