What is Lutropin Alfa?
Lutropin alfa is a hormone used to support Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) therapy.
Lutropin alfa is used with follitropin alfa (Gonal-F) to stimulate a follicle(egg) to develop and mature. The therapy used when a woman desires pregnancy and her ovaries can produce a follicle but hormonal stimulation is not sufficient to make the follicle mature.
Lutropin alfa may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Lutropin Alfa?
Treatment with lutropin alfa increases the likelihood of multiple births. Multiple births carry additional risk both for the mother and for fetuses. Discuss the risk of multiple births with your healthcare provider.
Patients treated with lutropin alfa may develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), especially after the first cycle of therapy. Symptoms of OHSS include severe pelvic pain, swelling of the hands or legs, abdominal pain and swelling, shortness of breath, weight gain, low urine output, diarrhea, and nausea or vomiting. OHSS can be fatal. Notify your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention if you develop any of these symptoms.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Lutropin Alfa?
Lutropin alfa will not induce ovulation if the ovaries are not capable of producing an egg.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you
- might be pregnant
- have a thyroid problem
- have adrenal dysfunction
- have cancer or a tumor of the breast, ovary, uterus, hypothalamus, or pituitary gland
- have undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding; or
- have ovarian cysts or enlargement not due to polycystic ovary disease (PCOD)
You may not be able to use lutropin alfa, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Treatment with lutropin alfa increases the likelihood of multiple births. Multiple births carry additional risk both for the mother and for fetuses. Discuss the risk of multiple births with your healthcare provider.
Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. Lutropin alfa is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that lutropin alfa is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby (when used beyond the period of ovulation).
It is not known whether lutropin alfa passes into breast milk. Do not use lutropin alfa without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Lutropin Alfa Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Lutropin Alfa?
Stop using lutropin alfa and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives)
- pain, warmth, redness, numbness, or tingling in an arm or leg (which may indicate a blood clot)
- confusion, severe dizziness, severe headache; or
- difficulty breathing
Patients treated with lutropin alfa may develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), especially after the first cycle of therapy. Symptoms of OHSS include severe pelvic pain, swelling of the hands or legs, abdominal pain and swelling, shortness of breath, weight gain, low urine output, diarrhea, and nausea or vomiting. OHSS can be fatal. Notify your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention if you develop any of these symptoms.
Other side effects may also occur. Notify your doctor if you experience
- ovarian enlargement presenting as abdominal or pelvic pain, tenderness, pressure, or swelling
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or flatulence (gas)
- fever or chills
- headache
- dizziness
- rapid pulse or heart rate
- muscle or joint weakness or aching
- breast tenderness
- spotting or menstrual changes
- pain, swelling, or irritation at the injection site; or
- dry skin, a rash, or hair loss
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Lutropin Alfa Interactions
What other drugs affect Lutropin Alfa?
It is not known whether other medications will interact with lutropin alfa. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
What should I avoid while taking Lutropin Alfa?
There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity during treatment with lutropin alfa unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Lutropin Alfa Dosage
How should I take Lutropin Alfa?
Use lutropin alfa exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.
Lutropin alfa should only be administered subcutaneously. If you are administering this medication at home, your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to mix the solution and give the injection. Do not inject this medication if you are not sure how.
Do not shake the vial, but gently swirl until the solution is clear. Do not inject any medication that is discolored or that has particles in it.
Never reuse a needle or syringe. Dispose of all needles and syringes in an appropriate, puncture-resistant disposal container.
Lutropin alfa should be used immediately after mixing. Any unused portion should be thrown away.
What happens if I overdose on Lutropin Alfa?
An overdose of lutropin alfa is unlikely to threaten life. Notify your doctor immediately or call an emergency room or poison control center for advice if an overdose is suspected.
Symptoms of a lutropin alfa overdose are not known.
What happens if I miss a dose of Lutropin Alfa?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of lutropin alfa.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com