Description: Urofollitropin is a parenteral ovulation stimulant. It is a preparation of gonadotropin extracted from the urine of postmenopausal females. Urofollitropin is used for the induction of ovulation in patients with ovarian failure due to polycystic ovarian disease. Urofollitropin stimulates follicular growth in patients who do not have primary ovarian failure. To stimulate ovulation, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) must be given following urofollitropin. Urofollitropin is considered an option only after clomiphene citrate therapy is unsuccessful. Fertinex®, a highly purified formulation prepared by a monoclonal antibody process, was approved August 23, 1996.

Contraindications: Primary ovarian failure, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal dysfunction, organic intracranial lesion, abnormal bleeding, ovarian cysts or enlargement (not due to polycystic ovarian disease), pregnancy.

Drug Interactions: No significant drug interactions.

Adverse Reactions: Multiple births, ovarian enlargement, abdominal pain, rash, swelling, injection site reaction, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, headache, breast tenderness, ectopic pregnancy.

Dosage:

NOTE: Urofollitropin should only be used by physicians familiar with infertility problems. Close monitoring of estrogenic activity and ovarian size is necessary.

Intramuscular (Metrodin®) or Subcutaneous dosage (Fertinex®):

Adults: 75 international units IM once daily for 7—12 days, followed by 5,000—10,000 units IM of HCG, one day after the last dose of urofollitropin. If pregnancy does not occur, regimen should be repeated 2 more times before increasing the dose of urofollitropin to 150 international units IM daily.

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