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In this Article

• What is follicle stimulating hormone (Gonal-f RFF)?
• What are the possible side effects of follicle stimulating hormone (Gonal-f RFF)?
• What is the most important information I should know about follicle stimulating hormone (Gonal-f RFF)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using follicle stimulating hormone (Gonal-f RFF)?
• How should I use follicle stimulating hormone (Gonal-f RFF)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Gonal-f RFF)?
• What happens if I overdose (Gonal-f RFF)?
• What should I avoid while using follicle stimulating hormone (Gonal-f RFF)?
• What other drugs will affect follicle stimulating hormone (Gonal-f RFF)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using follicle stimulating hormone (Gonal-f RFF)?

Follicle stimulating hormone will not induce ovulation if the ovaries are not capable of producing an egg. Also, follicle stimulating hormone will not induce the production of sperm if the testes are not capable of producing sperm.

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 follicle stimulating hormone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Treatment with follicle stimulating hormone 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.

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to neomycin or streptomycin. The Follistim AQ Cartridge may contain traces of these antibiotics and may cause allergic reactions.

Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. Follicle stimulating hormone is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that follicle stimulating hormone is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby (when used beyond the period of ovulation).

It is not known whether follicle stimulating hormone passes into breast milk. Do not use follicle stimulating hormone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use follicle stimulating hormone (Gonal-f RFF)?

Use follicle stimulating hormone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.

Gonal-F and Follistim AQ should only be administered subcutaneously. Follistim may be administered as a subcutaneous injection (injection under the skin) or intramuscular injection (injection into the muscle). 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.

Gonal F ampules and Follistim should be used immediately after mixing.

Never reuse a needle or syringe. Dispose of all needles and syringes in an appropriate, puncture-resistant disposal container.

Follistim AQ should only be used with the Follistim Pen.

Store unmixed vials of follicle stimulating hormone at room temperature or in the refrigerator away from light, moisture, and heat.

Store the Follistim AQ cartridges in the refrigerator until the expiration date printed on the cartridge. Alternatively, the cartridges can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 months or until the expiration date, whichever comes first. Once the rubber stopper on the cartridge has been pierced by a needle, the product must be used within 28 days.

Store mixed multi-dose vials of Gonal-F in the refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2 and 8 degrees Celsius), protected from light. Throw away any unused medication 28 days after mixing.