Gonal-F (Follitropin Alfa) Drug Overview of Side Effects and Precautions for Patients and Caregivers at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Gonal-F

Infertility »

What is infertility?

Infertility means not being able to get pregnant after one year of trying. Or, six months, if a woman is 35 or older. Women who can get pregnant but are unable to stay pregnant may also be infertile.

Pregnancy is the result of a process that has many steps. To get pregnant:

A woman must release an egg from one of her ovaries (ovulation).
The egg must go through a Fallopian tube toward the uterus (womb).
A man's sperm must join with (fertilize) the egg along the way.
The fertilized egg must attach to the inside of the uterus (implantation).

Infertility can happen if there are problems with any of these steps.

Is infertility a common problem?

Yes. About 10 percent of women (6.1 million) in the United States ages 15-44 have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant, according to the Centers for Diseas...

Read the Infertility article »

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SIDE EFFECTS: Headache, nausea, vomiting, mild stomach/abdominal pain, bloating, redness/pain at the injection site, or breast tenderness/pain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: unusual bleeding from the vagina/uterus, pain/redness/swelling of the calf muscles, cold/numb/pale skin of the arms/legs/hands/feet, swelling of ankles/hands/feet.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, vision changes, sudden severe headache, chest pain, shortness of breath.

This medication may cause a condition known as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This condition may occur during treatment and after treatment has been stopped. Rarely, serious OHSS causes fluid to suddenly build up in the stomach, chest, and heart area. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop the following side effects: severe pain or swelling in the lower abdominal (pelvic) area, severe nausea/vomiting, sudden/rapid weight gain, difficult/painful breathing, change in the amount of urine.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: other fertility problems (e.g., primary ovarian failure), abnormal bleeding from the vagina/uterus, thyroid problems, adrenal gland problems, cancer of the reproductive organs (e.g., breast, uterus, ovary), tumor in the brain (e.g., pituitary tumor), ovarian cysts or enlarged ovaries (not due to polycystic ovary syndrome).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood clots, polycystic ovarian syndrome, stroke, certain heart diseases (e.g., angina, heart attack), lung problems (e.g., asthma).

Multiple births may occur as a result of this treatment. Discuss the risks and benefits of having such a pregnancy with your doctor.

Stop using this medication when you become pregnant. This medication must not be used during pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible harm to a nursing infant, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.