Follitropin Beta (Systemic)

Brand Names : Follistim

Proper Use of This Medicine

To make using follitropin beta as safe and reliable as possible, you should understand how and when to use this medicine and what effects may be expected. A paper with information for the patient will be given to you with your filled prescription, and will provide many details concerning the use of follitropin beta. Read this paper carefully and ask your health care professional for any additional information or explanation.

Sometimes follitropin beta can be given by injection at home. If you are using this medicine at home:

• Understand and use the proper method of safely preparing the medicine if you are going to prepare your own medicine.
• Wash your hands with soap and water and use a good, clean work area to prepare your injection.
• Make sure you clearly understand and carefully follow your doctor's instructions on how to give yourself an injection, including using the proper needle and syringe.
• Do not inject more or less of the medicine than your doctor ordered.
• Remember to move the site of injection to different areas to prevent skin problems from developing.
• Throw away needles, syringes, bottles, and unused medicine after the injection in a safe manner.

Tell your doctor when you use your last dose of follitropin beta . Follitropin beta often requires that another hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) be given as a single dose the day after the last dose of follitropin beta is given. Your doctor will give you this medicine or arrange for you to get this medicine at the right time.

Dosing - The dose of follitropin beta will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of follitropin beta. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For injection dosage form:
  • For treatment of female infertility:
    • Adults - 75 international units (IU) injected under the skin or into a muscle once a day for up to fourteen days. The dose may be increased at weekly intervals by 37.5 IU, up to a total dose of 300 IU a day. Tell your doctor when you receive your last dose of follitropin beta. If abdominal pain occurs with the use of follitropin beta, report it to your doctor immediately, discontinue treatment, do not receive the dose of hCG, and avoid sexual intercourse.
  • For use with assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures:
    • Adults - 150 international units (IU) injected under the skin or into a muscle once a day for four days beginning on Day 2 or Day 3 of your menstrual cycle. Then your dose may be increased by 75 to 150 IU up to a total daily dose of 600 IU. Some patients may start at 375 IU. Tell your doctor when you receive your last dose of follitropin beta.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, discuss with your doctor when you should receive your next dose. Do not double doses. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.