IUI Injectables question

MrsRich0226 · February 2011

If this IUI fails we will move onto injectables since IVF is not an option. I've been researching pricing and could use your advice...

My RE already wrote my prescription and he is giving the pharmacy/me a choice of what to fill. Here are my options: Gonal-f, Follistim, Bravelle, Repronex, Menopur, or Ganireliex Acetate.

He lists some options for the trigger but I've been taking Ovidrel so I think I'll keep using it.

What have you used and what would you recommend? Any side effects you experienced? I'm getting confused with so many choices! TIA

CityPixie · February 2011

I can only speak to two of these. I am interested in what others have to say myself! And BTW have a great IUI Good Luck!!

Follistim comes with its own pen that is really easy (and almost fun) to use. (or have I just gone crazy from all this TTC drama in my life? LOL)

I found Menopur burned a lot going in, but not unbearable.

-Pix

madelyn07 · February 2011

Hmmm..I'm assuming he told you it would be a combo of the drugs and you could just pick which brand name you want to use, right? Like you can pick between Gonal-F or Follistim, between Repronex and Ganirelix?

Well, for my IUIs first I just used Follistim+trigger..but my E2 wasn't increasing well so for my final IUI we added in the Menopur. That seemed to help, I had a good E2 and had a c/p. For IVF I was on Gonal-F (multidose so I could mix it with the Menopur), Menopur and Ganirelix. I haven't really had any s/e from any of these drugs.

I feel like I had a better response with Follistim than with Gonal-F but that might just be in my head.

LaurenD10 · February 2011

This up comming IUI will be my first w/ injects so I'm probably not going to be much help. BUT I'll be doing 25mg Clomid + Bravelle + Ovidrel + Prometrium suppositories. I didn't really have a choice on the inject thankfully my RE's office had a box that was donated so I got it for free. Which I was OVER THE MOON about. GL in what ever you decide.

Romeo&Denise · February 2011

I can speak to Follistim, Menopur & Ganirelix.

Follistim was easy to use and I didn't have any s/e's, but it's expensive as hell. Menopur again easy to use, but burned going in, no s/e's afterwards. Ganirelix burned a bit going in, but i also got a bit of an itchy allergic reaction at the injection site each time I used it.

GL!

LaneCA · February 2011

Follistim pen is super easy - I recommend that! I am starting Menopur tonight. No side effects from any of them....yet....

Other than that....GL!!!

abvernon · February 2011

I can only speak of Menopur as I used it for this cycle. Overall, it was not that bad. It just burned a bit going in. I did not experience any major s/e but just some cramping the first day.

miesl · February 2011

I used follistim + menopur for IVF. Menopur burrrrrrns.

I used follistim for our IUIs.

I would think your RE would have an opinion - some of those act a bit differently (Menopur is two types of stim, follistim is one type - if I remember correctly)

Edwina.McDunnough · February 2011

Ganirelix is an antagonist that keeps you from ovulating, prefilled syringe

Menopur is 50-50 FSH and L, 75iu each, and needs to be mixed.

Gonal-f and Follistim are both pure FSH, the premixed-pens are convenient and easy to administer oddball amounts, the GF vial is in 75iu or in multidose and is great for when you are doing large doses, as you do one shot, rather than multiple little ones with the pens. You can mix the FSH and Menopur together into one injection if you are doing both drugs.

I'm too lazy to look up Bravelle or Repronex, but the manufacturer's website should have complete dosing information.

I have used the above except for Bravelle or Repronex, as well as Cetrotide (antagonist) for IVF cycles. Follistim only for my IUIs. But basically a pen is easy, vials and mixing are more labor. Pens (alone) could mean multiple injections when you bridge an old and new cartridge or if you're on high doses. FSH (in any format ) + Menopur = mixing and one injection. Ganirelix=it's own separate injection. Cetrotide (way cheaper than Ganirelix at FFP) needs mixing, separate injection.

If you know what your Rx is, what your dosing is, I can give you my advice, otherwise above is a general roundup and probably very confusing.

KDC1014 · February 2011

I used Follistim, no side effects and super easy to use. Good Luck!

MrsRich0226 · February 2011

Edwina.McDunnough:

Ganirelix is an antagonist that keeps you from ovulating, prefilled syringe

Menopur is 50-50 FSH and L, 75iu each, and needs to be mixed.

Gonal-f and Follistim are both pure FSH, the premixed-pens are convenient and easy to administer oddball amounts, the GF vial is in 75iu or in multidose and is great for when you are doing large doses, as you do one shot, rather than multiple little ones with the pens. You can mix the FSH and Menopur together into one injection if you are doing both drugs.

I'm too lazy to look up Bravelle or Repronex, but the manufacturer's website should have complete dosing information.

I have used the above except for Bravelle or Repronex, as well as Cetrotide (antagonist) for IVF cycles. Follistim only for my IUIs. But basically a pen is easy, vials and mixing are more labor. Pens (alone) could mean multiple injections when you bridge an old and new cartridge or if you're on high doses. FSH (in any format ) + Menopur = mixing and one injection. Ganirelix=it's own separate injection. Cetrotide (way cheaper than Ganirelix at FFP) needs mixing, separate injection.

If you know what your Rx is, what your dosing is, I can give you my advice, otherwise above is a general roundup and probably very confusing.

I appreciate everyone's comments! I plan to talk to my RE in more depth and ask for his advice if we go ahead with injects but since we're 100% oop I'm trying to plan and budget.

Looking at my rx sheet it says to choose one of the seven options; here are the dosing details:

Gonal-f RFF 75 iu or Gonal-f multi-dose 450 iu or Gonal-f RFF Pen 450 iu / RFF Pen 300 iu or Follistim AQ Cartridge 600 iu / AQ Cartridge 300 iu or Bravelle 75 iu or Repronex 75 iu / Menopur 75 iu or Ganirelex Acetate 250mcg

Follistim pens sound like the way to go but I'll continue googling. I have to say it again but I really appreciate your help!

kellyjg123 · February 2011

I can only speak to Gonal-f and had no issues. I am paying OOp 100% too and ordered through Freedom Fertility 800 pharmacy and Gonal was 1/2 the price of Follistim. Good luck!

Edwina.McDunnough · February 2011

I don't understand your dosing details, because there are some overlap drugs with different brand names, and drugs that are completely different.

Sort of like, "you can wear pants, or a skirt, or a tanktop, or shoes."

The pens are much more convenient than mixing. The "pen" is a holder for a cartridge of drug (ike ink), you buy the cartridges in 900, 600, or 300 international unit (iu) sizes or whatever, and there is a good amount of overfill in each one. Instead of a nib you put on a needle. The end opposite the needle is a little dial. You dial up the dose, inject by pushing in the dial which pushes a plunger into the cartridge delivering your medication.This is the best option if you're just using FSH an you want the ability to tweak your dose in very small increments.

If your RE thinks that you'll respond better to a drug that comes in a vial only, or a combination of drugs, I'm sure you'll be able to do that as well.

Good luck!

hellokitty343 · February 2011

Hello. I had a successful pregnancy using Follistim with Ovidrel trigger. We got pregnant on our 2nd IUI. Follistim is nice because of the pen; easy to use, store, and travel with (I used to travel a lot for business and have to take it with me). I'm currently working on baby #2 and have the same prescription. I have been fortunate and haven't felt any side effects using Follistim. No mood swings, no cramps, no bloating, etc. Is your doctor leaving the prescription options up to you? My doctor based her prescription on what she thought would work best for me. When I first started fertility treatments 3 years ago with baby #1 I was completely overwhelmed with the treatments let alone if I would have had to pick a prescription for myself. LOL! Good luck to you!!!!

MrsRich0226 · February 2011

Edwina.McDunnough:

I don't understand your dosing details, because there are some overlap drugs with different brand names, and drugs that are completely different.

Sort of like, "you can wear pants, or a skirt, or a tanktop, or shoes."

The pens are much more convenient than mixing. The "pen" is a holder for a cartridge of drug (ike ink), you buy the cartridges in 900, 600, or 300 international unit (iu) sizes or whatever, and there is a good amount of overfill in each one. Instead of a nib you put on a needle. The end opposite the needle is a little dial. You dial up the dose, inject by pushing in the dial which pushes a plunger into the cartridge delivering your medication.This is the best option if you're just using FSH an you want the ability to tweak your dose in very small increments.

If your RE thinks that you'll respond better to a drug that comes in a vial only, or a combination of drugs, I'm sure you'll be able to do that as well.

Good luck!

I have so much to learn and soooo many questions for my RE! If we get a BFN our next step is to meet with the RE to go over the actual plan. I guess I don't understand why he gave me an rx with so many options and it sounds like it doesn't necessarily make sense. My list of questions for my RE keeps getting longer and longer...

ginogomermisser · February 2011

So glad you asked this. I will also be trying injectables soon and was wondering the same thing. Wish I could help you but Im also still in pill IUI process. PM me if you get prices. Thanks

DeputiesWife · February 2011

I've only used Bravelle - it made me somewhat moody and bloated.

For my next IUI we are doing Gonal F

Good luck

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