Urofollitropin
About Urofollitropin
Urofollitropin is a specialised injection used in fertility medicine to stimulate the ovaries to produce and mature healthy eggs. It is typically prescribed to treat infertility in women who do not ovulate regularly, or as part of assisted reproductive technologies such as In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) to help prepare multiple eggs for collection.
This medication is injected daily, and maintaining a strict schedule is essential for the best possible results. You should inject your dose at the same time each day to keep hormone levels stable. While food intake does not affect this injectable medicine, making supportive lifestyle adjustments—such as eating a balanced diet and avoiding smoking and alcohol—can optimise your overall treatment outcomes.
Most patients tolerate the treatment well, though some may experience mild side effects like headaches or minor discomfort at the injection site. However, it is vital to contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience severe abdominal pain, swelling, or nausea, as these can be signs of a serious response in your ovaries.
Do not take this if you are already pregnant, have primary ovarian failure, or have untreated thyroid, pituitary, or adrenal gland issues. Urofollitropin is also not suitable for individuals with ovarian cysts not caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or those experiencing unexplained vaginal bleeding.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about all other medications you are taking, as some fertility drugs may interact. It is also important to consult your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding, as this treatment is not intended for nursing mothers or elderly individuals.
Uses of Urofollitropin
Medicinal Benefits
Taking Urofollitropin can help stimulate healthy follicle development and improve the chances of successful ovulation in women with certain fertility problems. Here are the key benefits of this treatment:
- Stimulates follicle growth: Helps the ovaries develop and mature healthy follicles, increasing the likelihood of ovulation.
- Supports ovulation: Encourages the release of mature eggs in women who do not ovulate regularly or have ovulation disorders.
- Improves fertility treatment outcomes: Helps produce multiple mature eggs during assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF or ICSI, increasing the chances of successful egg retrieval.
- Allows precise treatment planning: Enables your fertility specialist to closely monitor and control ovarian stimulation, helping optimize the timing of ovulation and fertility procedures.
- Increases the chance of pregnancy: By promoting healthy egg development and ovulation, it improves the likelihood of achieving pregnancy when used as part of a medically supervised fertility treatment plan.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Urofollitropin may be administered by your doctor, or you may be told to inject the medication yourself at home. Your doctor will train you on how to use Urofollitropin at home. Check the label for directions and use it as advised by the doctor. Urofollitropin should be administered subcutaneously (under the skin) on your lower abdomen, 1-2 inches below the navel, alternating between left and right and right sides.
- Rotate injection site each time to prevent skin problems.
- If there is any bleeding at your injection site, place a gauze pad over your injection site. Apply gentle pressure to stop the bleeding. Do not rub the site. If your injection site becomes sore or red, you may put ice on your injection site for a few minutes.
Storage
Side Effects of Urofollitropin
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Headache
- Mild stomach discomfort, bloating, or pain
- Redness, swelling, or mild soreness at the injection site
- Breast tenderness
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe pelvic or abdominal pain
- Severe nausea, vomiting, or rapid weight gain (signs of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome)
- Difficulty breathing or sudden shortness of breath
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and severe dizziness
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Inspect the solution before use: Always check the vial before drawing up Urofollitropin. Do not use it if the solution appears discolored or contains visible particles.
- Rotate injection sites regularly: Change your injection site each day by alternating between the abdomen and thighs to help reduce skin irritation and prevent hard lumps from forming.
- Do not reuse or share injection equipment: Never reuse syringes or needles, and never share your medication or injection devices with anyone else, as this may increase the risk of infection.
- Seek immediate medical attention for serious symptoms: Contact your doctor immediately if you develop sudden severe abdominal pain, chest pain, leg swelling, or other unusual symptoms during treatment.
- Attend regular monitoring appointments: Keep all scheduled ultrasound scans and blood tests so your doctor can monitor your response to treatment and adjust your therapy as needed.
Drug Interactions
- Other gonadotropins or fertility medicines: Taking these medicines alongside Urofollitropin may overstimulate the ovaries and increase the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionInteraction of Urofollitropin with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Urofollitropin.
Pregnancy
unsafeUrofollitropin is a category X pregnancy drug and is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may cause multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.) and increase the risk of miscarriage, tubal pregnancy, birth defects or premature labour. However, please consult a doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
unsafeUrofollitropin is contraindicated in breastfeeding women. It is unknown whether Urofollitropin is excreted in human milk. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
safe if prescribedUrofollitropin usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Urofollitropin in patients with Liver problems, please consult a doctor.
Kidney
cautionIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Urofollitropin in patients with kidney problems, please consult a doctor.
Children
unsafeUrofollitropin is not recommended for children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Modify physical activity: Avoid high-impact exercises, heavy lifting, or vigorous twisting motions during treatment, as enlarged ovaries are at risk of twisting (ovarian torsion).
- Stay well-hydrated: Drink plenty of water and electrolyte-rich fluids daily, especially if you experience mild bloating or abdominal discomfort.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol: Refrain from using tobacco products and drinking alcohol, as both can negatively impact egg quality and reduce the success rates of fertility treatments.
- Maintain balanced nutrition: Focus on a nutrient-rich diet with adequate protein, leafy greens, and healthy fats to support your body's cellular environment during follicle development.
Special Advise
Blood tests and ultrasound scans are recommended to monitor your response to Urofollitropin treatment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Female infertility: Infertility is unable to become pregnant after trying for a year. Female infertility may be caused due to different factors affecting ovulation (release of an egg from the ovary), fertilization (fusion of sperm and egg), and implantation (fertilized egg attaches to uterus lining). The risk factors for infertility in females include smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, obesity, being underweight, increasing age, or having sexually transmitted infections. Also, certain medical conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, premature ovarian failure, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hormonal imbalances, scarring from previous surgery, or pelvic inflammatory disease may cause infertility in females.
FAQs
Urofollitropin is used to treat infertility in women whose ovaries do not produce eggs and in women receiving treatments like IVF (in-vitro fertilization).
Urofollitropin contains Urofollitropin that works similar to follicle stimulating hormone (natural sex hormone). Urofollitropin increases oestrogen production that stimulates the development of egg and mature follicle in women having ovulation (release of egg from ovary) problems and those undergoing IVF treatments.
You are not recommended to take Urofollitropin with ganirelix (used to prevent premature ovulation) as co-administration of these two medicines may reduce the effects of Urofollitropin. However, please consult a doctor before taking Urofollitropin with other medicines.
Urofollitropin alone does not cause ovulation (release of egg from ovaries). Urofollitropin in combination with other medicine such as human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) may stimulate ovulation.
Urofollitropin may be used in women undergoing IVF (in-vitro fertilization) treatment to help ovaries develop multiple follicles (egg sacs) where eggs develop. However, please consult a doctor before using Urofollitropin.
Urofollitropin may increase the risk of uterine cancer. However, if you experience any unusual vaginal bleeding, please consult a doctor immediately.
Urofollitropin may cause miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb), birth defects or multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets). Therefore, avoid Urofollitropin if you are pregnant and consult a doctor.
If you miss a dose of Urofollitropin, inform your doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible. They will advise you on the next steps and when to administer the next dose.
The common side effects of Urofollitropin may include headache, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, pelvic pain, hot flushes (sudden feeling of warmth), or inflammation of the throat and nasal passage. Most of these side effects of Urofollitropin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Urofollitropin is injected either under the skin (subcutaneously) or into the muscle (intramuscularly) using sterile, single-use syringes. Your healthcare provider will show you how to prepare and administer the injection. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure of the technique.
Yes, many patients inject this medication at home after receiving proper training from their clinic. Do not attempt to self-inject until you feel fully confident and have been cleared by your healthcare provider. Talk to your doctor if you have any doubts.
Severe stomach pain, bloating, or nausea can be a sign of a serious condition called Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). Stop using Urofollitropin and seek emergency medical care or contact your clinic immediately. Talk to your doctor right away if this occurs.
Yes, because this medication stimulates the development of multiple egg follicles, it increases the likelihood of becoming pregnant with twins, triplets, or more. Your clinical team will monitor you closely via ultrasound to manage this risk. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk level.
The medication is typically taken daily for 7 to 14 days per cycle, depending on how your follicles grow. Your doctor will monitor your progress with frequent blood tests and ultrasounds to decide when the eggs are ready. Talk to your doctor to understand your timeline.
Storage depends on the specific brand and formulation your pharmacist dispenses. Some require refrigeration, while others can be kept at room temperature up to a certain limit. Always check the package label or talk to your pharmacist to verify correct storage.
No, this medication must not be used during pregnancy. If you suspect you have become pregnant during your treatment cycle, stop using Urofollitropin immediately and contact your clinic. Talk to your doctor to confirm your pregnancy status.
OHSS is a recognized medical risk where the ovaries become swollen and painful from producing too many eggs. It is more common in women with PCOS or those receiving high doses, which is why close ultrasound monitoring is mandatory. Talk to your doctor about how this risk is managed for you.
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