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Fertility Treatments

Fertility Medications

Gonal-f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection)

Below is some helpful information about Gonal‑f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection).

You should also read the patient information leaflet contained in your medication box and ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain anything you do not understand.

What is the Gonal‑f® RFF Pen?

The Gonal‑f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) is a prescription injectable medicine provided in a device that contains the hormone follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH helps healthy ovaries to make eggs in women.

What are the uses of the Gonal‑f® RFF Pen?

Doctors specializing in infertility or reproductive health prescribe the Gonal‑f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) to those patients needing medical assistance to have a child. After a thorough medical exam to determine your specific medical condition, your specialist may prescribe the Gonal‑f® RFF Pen because you need help with producing eggs or you need supplementation as part of your treatment program.

The Gonal‑f® RFF Pen is used only for women seeking pregnancy. Gonal‑f® RFF Pen may be one of several drugs prescribed to you as part of your treatment program.

Gonal‑f® RFF Pen is used:

  • In certain infertile women to help with ovulation (production and release of a mature egg) and pregnancy. Gonal‑f® RFF Pen will not help women whose ovaries no longer work because of a condition called primary ovarian failure.
  • In women who are in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program, such as in vitro fertilization, to help their ovaries make more eggs.
Who should not use Gonal‑f® RFF Pen?

Do not use the Gonal‑f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) if you:

  • Are allergic to recombinant human FSH products (see a list of all the ingredients in the Gonal‑f® RFF Pen
  • Have primary ovarian failure (your ovaries no longer make eggs)
  • Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
  • Have uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal problems
  • Have cancer in your female organs (ovaries, breast, uterus)
  • Have a pituitary tumor or other tumor in your brain
  • Have abnormal bleeding from your uterus or vagina
  • Have ovarian cysts or enlarged ovaries, not due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding. It is not known if Gonal‑f® RFF Pen passes into your milk.

What are the possible side effects of the Gonal‑f® RFF Pen?

Your specialist or staff member should review with you the risks and benefits of using Gonal‑f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection). As with any medication, report any and all side effects, symptoms.

The most common side effects with the Gonal‑f® RFF Pen are headache, stomach pain, stomach bloating, nausea, and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Bruising, pain, and redness can happen at the injection site.

Gonal‑f® RFF Pen and other FSH products can cause serious side effects including:

  • Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). OHSS causes fluid to suddenly build up in the stomach area, chest area, and heart area. Stop using Gonal‑f® RFF Pen and call your specialist right away if you get severe lower stomach area (pelvic) pain, nausea, vomiting, or weight gain.
  • Lung and blood vessel problems. FSH products may cause serious lung problems including fluid in the lungs, trouble breathing, and worsening of asthma. Blood vessel problems include blood clots and strokes.
  • Multiple births. FSH products can cause multiple births. Your healthcare provider will discuss your chances of multiple births.
  • These are not all the side effects of Gonal‑f® RFF Pen. As with any medication, report any and all side effects, symptoms, or physical changes to your healthcare provider.
How should I use Gonal‑f® RFF Pen?
 
  • Use Gonal‑f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) exactly as prescribed. Your specialist will prescribe the dose that is right for you and your condition. Do not change the dose of Gonal‑f® RFF Pen unless your specialist tells you to. Your specialist or healthcare provider will tell you the number of units (IU FSH) of Gonal‑f® RFF Pen to use each day and the number of days to use the same Pen.
  • Gonal‑f® RFF Pen is given by an injection just under the skin (subcutaneous injection). Your specialist's office will teach you how to inject yourself. See the patient leaflet included in the packet for detailed instructions, “How do I prepare and use the Gonal‑f® RFF Pen?” Do not inject Gonal‑f® RFF Pen at home until your healthcare provider has taught you the correct way.
  • Your condition must be closely monitored by your healthcare provider while you are using Gonal‑f® RFF Pen. Your specialist may do regular ultrasound tests and blood tests to make sure that Gonal‑f® RFF Pen is not making your ovaries too active (hyperstimulation) which can lead to rare, but serious side effects. Your specialist will decide if it is safe for you to continue with your fertility treatments based on the results of these tests.
  • Do not use Gonal‑f® RFF Pen for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Gonal‑f® RFF Pen other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
  • If you use too much Gonal‑f® RFF Pen, call your doctor right away.
  • Watch this brief video that demonstrates how to administer the Gonal‑f® RFF Pen.
What should I do if there is not enough medicine remaining in the Gonal‑f® RFF Pen?

After several doses, you may not have enough Gonal‑f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) remaining in the Pen to administer another full dose. The red dosage confirmation scale on the injection button enables you to check that the correct dose has been loaded. Dial your dose and pull out the injection button. It will go out only as far as the amount of drug that is left in the Pen.

The amount of drug left in the Pen will be indicated by the last mark (flat arrow) on the red dosage confirmation scale that is fully visible. If this amount is lower than the set dose, the amount of Gonal‑f® RFF left in the Pen is not enough to complete your full dose. If the loaded dose is not sufficient to complete your injection you have two options:

  • Inject the partial dose (what is left in the Pen) and then immediately complete the dose with a new Gonal‑f® RFF Pen, remembering to measure out only what is required to complete your daily dose.
  • Discard the Gonal‑f® RFF Pen and inject the full dose using a new Pen.

It is common for a small amount of drug to be leftover in the Gonal‑f® RFF Pen. This is normal. Any drug remaining in the Gonal‑f® RFF Pen after your treatment is complete should be discarded.

What should I do if I forget to take my Gonal-f® dose?

Do NOT double the dose of Gonal‑f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) prescribed. Contact your doctor if you forget to take a dose of Gonal‑f® RFF Pen.

Can I use the Gonal‑f® RFF Pen with other medicines?

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or have taken any other medicines, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. It is not known if Gonal‑f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) and other medicines can affect each other.

Storing the Gonal‑f® RFF Pen

After the first injection, the pen may be stored refrigerated (2°- 8°C/36°- 46°F) or at room temperature (20°- 25°C/68°- 77°F) for up to 28 days. Protect from light. Do not freeze. Discard unused material after 28 days.

Download Full Prescribing Information for the Gonal-f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection)
 

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What are the ingredients in Gonal‑f® RFF Pen?

Active ingredient: follitropin alfa (r-hFSH)

Inactive ingredients: sucrose, meta-cresol, di-sodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate, methionine, Poloxamer 188, O-phosphoric acid and/or sodium hydroxide

Where can I find more information about Gonal‑f® RFF Pen?

This information on this website is a summary of the important patient information about Gonal‑f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection). If you have any questions or problems, talk to your doctor or other health care provider.

Gonal‑f® RFF Pen is manufactured and distributed by EMD Serono, Inc. You can contact EMD Serono at 1-866-538-7879.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPER USE AND RISKS OF GONAL-F® (follitropin alfa for injection):

What are the uses of Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection), Gonal-f® RFF*(follitropin alfa for injection), and Gonal-f® RFF* Pen (follitropin alfa injection)?

Gonal-f® Multi-Dose, Gonal-f® RFF, and Gonal-f® RFF Pen are 3 products that contain follitropin alfa, which is similar to the human hormone follicle-stimulating hormone, referred to as FSH. FSH belongs to a group of human reproductive hormones.

Gonal-f® Multi-Dose, Gonal-f® RFF, and Gonal-f® RFF Pen are used in certain infertile women to help with ovulation (production and release of a mature egg) and pregnancy. Gonal-f® will not help women whose ovaries no longer work because of a condition called Primary Ovarian Failure. Gonal-f® may also be used in women who are in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program such as in vitro fertilization to help their ovaries make more eggs.

Gonal-f® Multi-Dose can also be prescribed to increase sperm production in men with a rare condition that affects sperm production.

All 3 products should be prescribed only by doctors specializing in infertility problems and their treatment.

Who should not use Gonal-f®, Gonal-f® RFF, and Gonal-f® RFF Pen?

Gonal-f® Multi-Dose, Gonal-f® RFF, and Gonal-f® RFF Pen should not be used in patients who are pregnant or think they might be pregnant, in patients with primary ovarian failure (the ovaries no longer produce eggs), or in patients with allergies to recombinant human FSH products or any other ingredients in the medication.

Patients with cancer of the sex organs or brain, or with uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal disease, should not use Gonal-f® Multi-Dose, Gonal-f® RFF, or Gonal-f® RFF Pen. Women with a history of abnormal bleeding from the uterus or vagina or with swollen, enlarged, or painful ovaries should speak to their doctor before starting treatment.

What are the possible side effects of Gonal-f®, Gonal-f® RFF, and Gonal-f® RFF Pen?

The lowest dose expected to achieve the desired results should be used. A doctor should monitor a woman’s response often to avoid overdose, which can lead to serious side effects, including blood clots.

Women should contact their doctor if severe pain or bloating in the stomach or pelvic area, severe upset stomach, vomiting, or weight gain are experienced during treatment. These could be signs of a rare but serious condition known as Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome, or OHSS, which can result in hospitalization.

Use of Gonal-f® Multi-Dose, Gonal-f® RFF, or Gonal-f® RFF Pen by a woman can be associated with fertilization of more than 1 egg. This can lead to complications for the woman and the birth of 2 or more babies.

The most common side effects reported by women were headache, ovarian cysts, upset stomach, and sinus infection. The most common side effects reported by men taking Gonal-f® Multi-Dose were skin pimples, breast pain and growth, and tiredness. Injections may cause some discomfort.

*RFF, Revised Formulation Female

© 2013 EMD Serono, Inc. and its affiliates.

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