Gonal-f contains follitropin alfa, and is used to treat fertility problems in combination with another hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) to stimulate the ovaries in women who do not have primary ovarian failure. Gonal-f can also be used to stimulate sperm production in men. To effect the final maturation of the follicle and ovulation in the absence of an endogenous LH surge, a doctor must administer human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the following dose of Gonal-f; however, monitoring of the patient must indicate that sufficient follicular development has occurred.
How Gonal-f Works
Follitropin Alfa for injection is a highly purified human follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) preparation of recombinant DNA origin, with neither urinary proteins nor LH (luteinizing hormone). It consists of two non-covalently linked, non-identical glycoproteins that are designed as the α- and β-subunits, whose primary and tertiary structure is indistinguishable from that found in a natural human follicle stimulating hormone.
The recombinant FSH found in Gonal-f is developed in genetically modified Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells cultured in bioreactors. It is then put through a thorough purification process by immunochromatography. By using antibodies to bind FSH, the result is a highly purified preparation with a consistent FSH isoform profile, and a high specific activity. By measuring the ovary weight in female rats, the biological activity of follitropin alfa is determined.
The success rates of Gonal-f are high. In a recent study consisting of 56 patients who received Gonal-f, 12 pregnancies were achieved in 10 partners of the 37 patients who were seeking pregnancy. Thus, Gonal-f help achieve a pregnancy rate of 27%. Eight of those pregnancies continued to term and 8 healthy babies were born to 7 couples as a result.
How to Use Gonal-f
The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment for which your doctor will do blood/medical tests (e.g., estradiol blood levels, ultrasound) to determine the correct individual dose for you. Since it is so pure, Gonal-f may be administered once a day subcutaneously, just below the skin.You should make sure to clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol before injection. It is also important to change the location of the injection site daily to avoid discomfort or problem areas under the skin. Before using Gonal-f, check this medication visually for particles or discoloration.
One of the serious side effects that can result from taking Gonal-f is the sudden buildup in stomach or chest fluid, a condition known as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This can be life-threatening and you should report the symptoms attributed to your doctor, whether they be: severe pain in the lower abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, bloating, feeling short of breath, or swelling of the hands or legs.
Some less serious, more common side effects include headaches, runny or stuff nose, mild pelvic pain, breast swelling or tenderness, acne, mild nausea or stomach pain, and headache.
Fertility treatment may increase your chance of having twins, triplets, etc (multiple births). These are high-risk pregnancies both for the mother and the babies. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.
