Learn About Gonal-f ®

Gonal-f® is a highly pure, recombinant form of human follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This is the hormone responsible for stimulating the production of egg-containing follicles in women and sperm in men.

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Gonal-f® is most commonly used in infertility treatments such as ovulation induction (OI) and advanced reproductive technologies (ART), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). If you are undergoing OI or ART, Gonal-f® may be used to supplement or replace naturally occurring FSH and help you produce eggs.

Gonal-f® is the only FSH available in three dosing presentations of a ready-to-use multiple dose pen, as well as multiple-dose and single-dose vials. Gonal-f® is available in liquid and powder form as the following:

In a survey,1 2 out of 3 patients* preferred the Gonal-f® RFF Pen to other FSH injection devices.

* Patients who stated a preference. Patient preference for Gonal-f® RFF Pen over Follistim® Pen and vials/ampules was also documented in a separate study by Welcker et al.

Important Considerations
As with all prescription medications, side effects may occasionally occur with use of fertility drugs. Doctors specializing in fertility or reproductive health should only prescribe these products. Patients prescribed gonadotropins and GnRH analogs should be monitored carefully by a trained fertility specialist. Risks include the following events which can be serious: hypersensitivity reactions; ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS); pulmonary and vascular complications, and multiple births. For complete product details about a specific fertility drug, please refer to the Full Prescribing Information.

  • 1. Weiss N. Gonadotropin products: empowering patients to choose the product that meets their needs. Reprod Biomed [serial online]. May 2007;15(1):31-37. Accessed: February 6, 2009.
  • 2. Welcker JT, for the German Gonal-f® FbM Pen Study Group. Analysis of an observational study on the routine use of follitropin alfa in a prefilled ready to use injection pen in ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination cycles [abstract]. Fertil Steril. 2006;86(suppl 3):S410.

Can We Afford Fertility Treatment?

Get the facts about paying for treatment. Learn how you can save up to $500 on Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) with the FertilityAssist 2 program.

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Important Considerations:
Gonal-f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) is indicated for the induction of ovulation and pregnancy in the oligo-anovulatory infertile patient in whom the cause of infertility is functional and not due to primary ovarian failure. Gonal-f® RFF Pen is also indicated for the development of multiple follicles in the ovulatory patient participating in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program. Gonal-f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) should only be prescribed by physicians specializing in fertility or reproductive health. Gonal-f® is a potent gonadotropic substance capable of causing mild to severe adverse reactions, including Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) in women with or without pulmonary or vascular complications, and multiple births. Gonal-f® is contraindicated in women who exhibit prior hypersensitivity to FSH preparations, primary gonadal failure, uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction and pregnancy. Nursing women should not use Gonal-f®. Common side effects include headache, abdominal pain, enlarged abdomen, and injection site disorders. For complete product details, see full prescribing information.

Important Considerations:
Women: Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) is indicated for the induction of ovulation and pregnancy in the anovulatory infertile patient in whom the cause of infertility is functional and not due to primary ovarian failure. Gonal-f® is also indicated for the development of multiple follicles in the ovulatory patient participating in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program.
Men: Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) is indicated for the induction of spermatogenesis in men with primary and secondary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in whom the cause of infertility is not due to primary testicular failure. Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) should only be prescribed by physicians who are thoroughly familiar with infertility problems and their management. Gonal-f® is a potent gonadotropic substance capable of causing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) in women with or without pulmonary or vascular complications. Gonal-f® is contraindicated in women and men who exhibit prior hypersensitivity to recombinant FSH preparations or one of their excipients, high levels of FSH indicating primary gonadal failure, uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction, sex hormone dependent tumors of the reproductive tract and accessory organs, and an organic intracranial lesion such as a pituitary tumor; and in women who exhibit abnormal uterine bleeding of undetermined origin, ovarian cyst or enlargement of undetermined origin and pregnancy. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Gonal-f®. The most common side effects in patients using Gonal-f® include headache, ovarian cysts, nausea and upper respiratory infections in women and in men, acne, breast pain and growth, and fatigue. Injection site reactions were also reported. Reports of multiple births have been associated with Gonal-f® treatment. For complete product details, see the full prescribing information.

For complete product details, please read the Prescribing Information offered below.


© EMD Serono, Inc. CIM Last Update 2008-09-16
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