The Fostimon injection contains the active ingredient urofollitropin, which a natural sex hormone called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) derived from the urine of post-menopausal women. Once Fostimon has been highly purified and concentrated, the urofollitropin it contains has the same effects as the natural hormone FSH, which becomes very useful in the treatment of infertility in women.
How Fostimon Works
The Fostimon injection acts identically to FSH, because it contains urofollitropin. This affects the ovaries a woman’s body, increasing the number of growing follicles and stimulating their development. How well a woman’s follicles are developing is directly related to the increase in estrogen the drug provides, and in turn the eggs she produces. It is for this reason that Fostimon is given to women having difficulties due to problems with ovulation, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) for example. Fostimon could be considered a second line of treatment where clomifene (Clomid) has failed. After the follicle and successfully developed, doctors administer another medication called human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), usually Choragon, which triggers ovulation to begin.
HCG can also be used to stimulate multiple follicles and eggs to develop, for which are harvested and then fertilized in a test tube setting. If successful, the resulting embryo is then implanted in the woman’s womb.
How to Use Fostimon
Treatment with Fostimon is started under the supervision of a trained specialist, who administers injections subcutaneously (under the skin) or intramuscularly (into the muscle). If the physician give their approval for the patient to administer the injection at home, they will train you in the process.
Before treatment begins your doctor will want to check the functioning of the patient’s adrenal and thyroid glands, making sure that you do not have any abnormalities—tumours in the pituitary or hypothalamic gland, higher than normal blood levels containing the hormone prolactin—which can affect fertility. An ultrasound will also be necessary to check the development of the patient’s ovaries, as well as to measure estrogen levels.
There are common side effects associated with Fostimon that usually affects between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 patients. They include: over-stimulation of the ovaries (ovarian hyperstimulation), headaches, constipation, bloating of the abdomen, and pain on the injection site.
Between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 people have more serious side effects, such as: difficulty breathing, breast pain and enlargement, urinary tract infection, and increased bleeding time. It you experience any of these more serious side effects, you should contact a doctor immediately.
References
Fostimon (urofollitropin). (2009, June 7). Retrieved from www.netdoctor.co.uk: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/pregnancy/medicines/fostimon.html
FOSTIMON 75 IU POWDER AND SOLVENT FOR SOLUTION FOR INJECTION. (2014, August 13). Retrieved from www.drugs.com: http://www.drugs.com/uk/fostimon-75-iu-powder-and-solvent-for-solution-for-injection-leaflet.html
