The instruction "Gonala-F". Description of the drug, contraindications, analogues and reviews

One of the most common methods of treating infertility is to stimulate ovulation. To obtain a few eggs suitable for fertilization, it is necessary to pre-arrange a special medication. "Gonal-F" is considered one of the effective drugs in this area. Instruction "Gonala-F" strongly recommends that the treatment be carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor.

Description of the tool

Everyone knows that without ovulation pregnancy can not come. Therefore, many representatives of the fair sex, faced with such a difficult problem, are decided on stimulation and in vitro fertilization. The attending physician must first conduct a medical examination, select the appropriate procedure and appropriate medications.

The safest and most effective are follicle-stimulating hormone-FSH (recombinant), which is responsible for the maturation of follicles in a woman's body. The instruction "Gonala-F" informs that the drug belongs to this category and the mechanism of action is as close as possible to natural FSH. You can buy the medicine only by prescription.

Indications for use

The drug is in demand in the gynecological sphere and is prescribed if necessary to activate the growth of follicles. Indications for the appointment of "Gonal-F" has the following:

• Absence of ovulation and unsatisfactory result after application of Clomiphene.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (pathology is associated with hormonal disorders that cause ovarian failure).
• The need for stimulation of multiple follicles for IVF.

Numerous medical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of the drug when it is necessary to develop several follicles in the process of ovarian hyperstimulation (controlled). It was found that the active ingredient promotes the growth of follicles and at the same time significantly reduces the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation.

Application for men

If the main functions of the male genital glands are not fulfilled, the process of spermatogenesis - the formation and development of spermatozoa - is disrupted. Follicle-stimulating hormone is necessary to "start" this process, the duration of which is 75 days. To detect a pathological condition is possible only after passing medical diagnosis and spermogram delivery.

Stimulation (or restoration) of normal formation of male sex gametes sometimes takes a longer time than a similar procedure in women. For a positive result of treatment, the recommendations of the andrologist should be fully observed. It is necessary to adhere to a specially developed diet, to stop using alcohol and nicotine. Mandatory appoint special drugs. The instruction "Gonala-F" says that the medication can be used to improve spermatogenesis in men who have acquired or congenital hypogonadism. Therapy should be carried out under the constant supervision of a specialist with experience in the treatment of infertility.

Structure of the preparation

The active ingredient of the drug is follitropin alpha - a substance that stimulates the growth of follicles in women who have disorders in the hypothalamic-pituitary system. Bioavailability of the drug for subcutaneous administration is approximately 70%.

The active component begins to accumulate in the body after repeated administration. During the first 3 days there is a threefold increase in the equilibrium concentration of follitropin alfa, which triggers the stimulation process.

Auxiliary components contained in the drug: sodium hydroxide and hydrophosphate dihydrate, phosphoric acid, methionine, sucrose, polysorbate 20.

Form of issue

"Gonal F" produces the Italian pharmaceutical company "Industry Pharmaceutical Serono SpA." Form release means - a solution for subcutaneous injection and lyophilizate for cooking liquid.

The pen-shaped syringes may contain 0.5, 0.75 and 1.5 ml of the solution. The lowest dosage corresponds to 22 micrograms of follitropin alfa (300 IU), the average is 33 mg of the active ingredient (450 IU). The greatest amount of active substance is contained in 1.5 ml of the solution - 66 micrograms (Gonal-F 900). The price of the drug directly depends on the concentration of the active substance.

The syringe-pen has a special dispenser and a scale that allows controlling the dose of the drug. In this form, the medicine is most advantageous to buy due to various dosages. The advantages include the absence of the need to prepare a solution before each injection.

Lyophilizate for solution preparation is diluted with an injection liquid before each manipulation. The required dosage is pre-calculated by a specialist for each individual case.

How is Gonal-F treated?

In the absence of ovulation therapy begins in the first week of the monthly cycle, subject to regular menstruation (some variability of periodicity is possible). The process of stimulation must be carried out under the control of ultrasound , which allows you to control the size of the follicles. The initial dose is 0,13-0,25 ml of preparation "Gonal-F 75". The price of a solution containing 5.5 mg of foliotropin alfa will be the lowest and is about 110 rubles. The dose is increased 1-2 weeks to 225 IU (maximum).

If treatment does not yield positive results within a month, therapy with the drug should be canceled. For further treatment, the initial dose will be increased.

If it is necessary to carry out controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, the drug is prescribed in a dosage of 150-225 IU. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 450 IU. Therapy begins with 2-3 days of the menstrual cycle. With the help of an ultrasound specialist will monitor the growth of follicles. Duration of treatment can be from 5 to 20 days. After the last administration of the solution, after 48 hours, an injection of chorionic gonadotropin is made.

Men who have problems with the process of spermogenesis also show stimulation. "Gonal-F" in this case is used in conjunction with the chorionic gonadotropin. The usual scheme of treatment consists in subcutaneous administration of the drug three times a week (a dosage of 150 IU). The duration of therapy should be at least 4 months, after which the man needs to undergo a survey. With a slight improvement or lack of results, treatment can be extended to 18 months.

Mode of application

The first injections of the drug should be performed by a specialist under stationary conditions. Having passed the instruction, in the future the patient will be able to independently use the syringe-pen and make a shot "Gonal-F". Preliminary, you should read the instructions to the drug.

There are following recommendations for self-administration of the drug:

1. Before you stab Gonal-F, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and, if possible, treat it with an antiseptic.
2. Spread on the clean surface necessary items: a syringe pen, a bottle of powder and water for injection, alcohol, cotton swabs.
3. It is necessary to prepare the syringe pen, remove the caps, set the desired dosage and attach the needle.
4. Lyophilizate (powder) is diluted with water for injection by injecting liquid into the vial with a dry substance. Rubber lid should be pierced with a needle, there is no need to open the bottle. The liquid should be administered slowly.
5. It is necessary to dial into the syringe air to the required dose, insert the needle into the bottle with the solution (pre-turn upside down), enter the air and dial the desired amount of medicine.
6. There should be no air bubbles in the syringe. In order to get rid of them, you need to tap lightly on the walls of the syringe, and the bubbles will move to the upper part. Then it is necessary to press the piston and let out excess air.
7. The skin at the injection site should be treated with an antiseptic (alcohol).
8. The injection is done subcutaneously at an angle of 45 or 90 degrees. Sharply to press the plunger of the syringe is not necessary. The medicine must be administered slowly.
9. To administer the drug "Gonal-F" with a syringe-pen, just press the start button. The needle in this device is thin and small, so the painful sensations are poorly expressed or practically absent.
10. After injection, a cotton swab moistened with antiseptic should be applied to the injection site.
11. A disposable syringe is discarded after the procedure.
12. The needle from the syringe-handle must be removed, the protective cap must be put on. For the next manipulation, you need to use a new needle that comes with the drug.

Side effects

The drug "Gonal-F" can cause side effects during the treatment. Some women noted the appearance of the following symptoms:

• On the part of the reproductive system, ovarian cysts often developed.
• Negative effects of the drug can affect the organs of the digestive tract. This is expressed in the appearance of bouts of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, discomfort and pain in the abdomen.
• At the injection site, swelling or redness of the skin may form.
• Seldom occurred cases of an allergic reaction: urticaria, itching, shortness of breath, rash.
• On the part of the central nervous system, headaches may become more frequent.
• The least frequent cases of negative effects on the cardiovascular system (thromboembolism).

The instruction "Gonala-F" says that men may have an acne on the background of therapy, weight of the body will increase slightly. There are rare cases of varicocele, gynecomastia.

Contraindications

The drug has a serious effect on the body and therefore can not be administered without prior treatment. The active ingredient and the additional components have some limitations in use. The doctor must take this into account and adjust the treatment regimen.

Instruction "Gonala-F" warns that the drug is not allowed to use for people with intolerance or hypersensitivity to substances in the composition. In this case, the strongest allergic reaction and other complications can develop. Also contraindications include:

• Uterine bleeding of unknown etiology.
• Oncological pathology of internal genital organs.
• Single cysts of the ovaries, which did not develop against the background of polycystosis.
• Pregnancy and the period of feeding.
• Congenital malformations of organs that are incompatible with pregnancy.

The specialist takes into account all the concomitant diseases that are present in the patient's history. In some situations, there is no need for Gonal-F. The cost of treatment depends on the duration of therapy and the dosage of the medicine, but even costly therapy will not bring the expected result in pathologies such as uterine fibroids, premature menopause, and obstruction of the fallopian tubes.

Application Features

Before appointing a drug to stimulate ovulation or the process of spermatogenesis, a doctor specializing in the treatment of infertility should conduct a medical diagnosis of a married couple that will help to eliminate contraindications and the need for treatment. Also the necessary scheme and dosage of the drug will be established.

Patients who undergo stimulation with Gonalom-F before IVF are given the opportunity to become pregnant with twins. The doctor is obliged to inform the woman about this before the treatment begins.

The simultaneous use of the drug with other agents that affect the growth of follicles can provoke the development of hyperstimulation. Throughout the course of therapy, it is necessary to perform ultrasound diagnostics and control the growth of follicles.

Gonal-F: price and reviews

The Italian drug for the stimulation of ovulation has long been prescribed for the treatment of infertility in men and women. This is one of the most effective means (many doctors call it "heavy artillery"). "Gonal-F" results showed positive even in cases when other known means were powerless. The main rule that patients must adhere to is the complete medical control of the process of follicle maturation and spermatogenesis.

In the process of treatment, the dosage can be changed both in the smaller and in the larger side. The cost of the drug ranges from 1100 rubles. Up to 16 000 rubles. (Gonal-F 900 IU). In addition to the use of expensive means, it is mandatory to follow certain rules in the diet and completely eliminate harmful food, semi-finished products.

During therapy it is forbidden to drink alcohol, which has a negative effect on spermatogenesis, affecting the pituitary and hypothalamus, disrupting the metabolism of sex steroids. Hypersensitivity to sperm and nicotine.