Used widely in infertility treatments, Orgalutran contains ganirelix, the synthetic form of the natural hormone gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH)—a luteinizing releasing hormone antagonist. Together with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Orgalutran can be an effective treatment for women suffering from infertility and who are in assisted reproduction treatment (such as IVF). Orgalutran doe this by preventing premature ovulation during ovarian hyperstimulation.
How Orgalutran Works
Under normal conditions, a woman’s ovaries have enough FSH to increase the number of growing follicles and stimulate the development of eggs. Her body’s normal FSH supply also increases the production of estrogen, which allows the largest follicle to continue to develop. When the amount of estrogen in the blood increases to the body’s natural limit, it triggers a surge of luteinizing hormones (LH), resulting in the release of an egg from the ovary; otherwise known as the process of ovulation.
In abnormal situations where the woman’s reproductive system is not functioning properly, daily injections of FSH are needed to artificially stimulate the production of follicles and eggs in the ovaries. In assisted reproduction techniques, like IVF, this medicine is usually administered on day six of FSH treatment to block the natural luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) in the pituitary gland that stimulates two other types of hormones, LH and FSH. This prevents a premature surge of LH and allows the follicles to fully develop. With another injection of the hormone called chorionic gonadotrophin, ovulation is finally induced and the eggs are then harvested.
How to Take Orgalutran
When you first have Orgalutran injected, you may need to be under medical observation. Then your prescriber will show you how to inject the medicine yourself. The injection is administered under the skin (subcutaneously), preferably of the upper leg.
The usual dose of ganirelix is 250 mg, injected once daily for a length of treatment that usually last about 5 days (but can range from 1 to 19 days); however, many physical variables can affect the dose of medication prescribed, such as body weight, and other medical conditions and medications.
Side effects include: redness and swelling of the injection site; headache; nausea; a general feeling of not being well (malaise); allergic reactions such as rash, facial swelling or difficulty breathing.
Warning: Orgalutran can also cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) during or after treatment with FSH. See the leaflet provided with your FSH injections for more information about this.
References
Orgalutran (ganirelix). (2009, September 7). Retrieved from www.netdoctor.co.uk: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/pregnancy/medicines/orgalutran.html
Orgalutran 250micrograms/0.5ml solution for injection pre-filled syringes. (2014). Retrieved from www.medicines.org.uk: http://www.medicines.org.uk/guides/orgalutran/Infertility
