MEDICATION USED IN ART

Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid, Serophene)
Gn RH Agonists (Lucrin and Synarel)
GnRh Antagonists (Cetrotide, Orgalutran)
Gonadotrophins (Puregon or Gonal-F)
hCG – Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (Profasi or Pregnyl)
Luteinising Hormone Test Kits (Seratec® – LHMAX)
Norethisterone (Primolut N)
Oestradiol Valerate (Progynova)
Oral Contraceptive Pill (Microgynon)
Progesterone Supplements (Progesterone Pessaries / Crinone Gel)
Recombinant LH (Luveris)

Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid, Serophene)
> widely known as the ‘fertility drug’
> a synthetic hormone that causes the pituitary gland to produce more Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) than in the natural cycle
> used in combination with gonadotrophin injections > comes in tablet form

MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is common and potentially serious. Most women notice no side effects. There are no long-term adverse effects. Some women have unpleasant menopause-type symptoms during the 5 days when taking the drug, and sometimes for a few days following, such as hot flushes, mood swings, breast tenderness, irritability and headaches.
Rare symptom – visual symptoms of flashing lights and halos around objects. There have been many studies to see whether there is a link between this drug and birth defects. No link has been found.

Gn RH Agonists (Lucrin and Synarel)
> has been used long-term for IVF treatment in Australia
> modified hormones
> used to control timing of the egg pick up in IVF stimulation cycles
> works at the level of the pituitary gland to prevent the release of the hormones that bring about ovulation
> Synarel is a nasal spray and is administered by inhalation
> Lucrin is used as an alternative to Synarel and is administered as a daily injection (0.1 to 0.2 mls) into the side of the thigh

MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Most women notice no side effects. Some women notice hot flushes, headaches and nausea.

GnRh Antagonists (Cetrotide, Orgalutran)
> new drugs used to block ovulation during IVF stimulation cycles
> avoids the need to use Synarel or Lucrin
> allows for a shorter treatment cycle
> reduces the risk of hyperstimulation
> used in more naturally based treatment cycles

Gonadotrophins (Puregon or Gonal-F)
> a highly purified synthetic FSH
> administered as a subcutaneous (just under the skin) injection
> used to increase the amount of FSH in the woman’s circulation so that all follicles in her ovary that are capable of growing get enough ‘fuel’ to help them continue to grow healthily (in a natural cycle all but one follicle would be deprived of this ‘fuel’)
MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is common and potentially serious. Some women notice pain at the injection site.
Rare symptom – an itch and a generalised drug reaction rash at the injection site.

hCG – Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (Profasi or Pregnyl)
> a hormone that occurs naturally – used as an ovulation trigger
> hCG causes eggs to be released from the ovaries and allows them to become fertilised
> hCG causes the production of progesterone from the follicle that has released its egg
> sometimes used in low doses after embryo transfer to prevent menstruation starting earlier than expected
> sometimes used in low doses to improve egg quality during treatment
MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Some women notice breast enlargement and ovarian tenderness.

Luteinising Hormone Test Kits (Seratec® – LHMAX)
It allows us to identify your ovulation days and arrange the correct day for your procedure
> used for patients having treatment for Ovulation Induction, DI, IUI and Freeze Thaw cycles
> a urine test kit that detects a rise or ‘surge’ in Luteinising Hormone (LH) that occurs the day before ovulation

Norethisterone (Primolut N)
> used in clinics since the 1960s
> a synthetic product
> induces similar effects to the body’s own progesterone
> used to control the cycle and timing of egg pick up
> this drug or the pill is used worldwide during pre-treatment to plan the woman’s stimulated cycle
MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects are rare because of the low dosage we use and the short duration of treatment. Some women notice breast tenderness, bloating and mood swings.

Oestradiol Valerate (Progynova)
> a hormone
> used to prepare the lining of the uterus prior to progesterone pessary therapy and embryo transfer in frozen thaw HRT cycles
MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Some women notice nausea and tender breasts (similar to early pregnancy symptoms.)
These symptoms are more common when higher doses are used – this is sometimes necessary to develop the lining of the uterus properly.

Oral Contraceptive Pill (Microgynon)
> used to regulate a woman’s menstrual periods
> used in combination with the stimulation drugs to ensure the timing of egg pick up is predictable – to help us plan your treatment cycle
> used widely by women to control their fertility – if you have used it and did not find it suitable you should not take it during IVF treatment
> women over 37 years who smoke or who have high blood pressure may not be able to take the pill
> women with a history of liver problems or thrombosis should avoid taking it
MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Some women notice nausea, bloating, weight gain and mood swings.

Progesterone Supplements (Progesterone Pessaries / Crinone Gel)
> used following embryo transfer
> used to overcome the problem of a short cycle in the second half (or luteal phase)
> for women having freeze thaw embryo transfers, to keep the pregnancy attached to the uterus until the 10th week of pregnancy – once the placenta develops the pessaries are no longer needed
MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Some women notice cramps, headaches, breast tenderness and mood swings.

Recombinant LH (Luveris)
> used to improve egg quality