What is this medication for?
Menotropins is used for the treatment of certain types of infertility in women. Menotropins are a mixture of naturally occurring hormones that include follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
In females, FSH is largely responsible for stimulating the growth of the ovarian follicle, which includes the developing egg and the cells surrounding the egg that produce hormones needed to sustain pregnancy, such as estrogen. The most important role of LH is to cause ovulation. After ovulation, a group of follicle cells form to make the corpus luteum and produce progesterone, which causes the endometrium to thicken so that it can support implantation of the fertilized egg. Menotropins are usually given with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone works similarly to LH and helps to ensure that ovulation occurs at the expected time.
Menotropins are also used to stimulate the ovary to produce several follicles which can be used for in vitro fertilization or gamete intrafallopian transfer.
Menotropins can also be used to stimulate sperm production in men with certain types of infertility.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Repronex® is available as:
- injectable (intramuscular/ subcutaneous)
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
Menotropins will be given under the supervision of your doctor. The dose of menotropins will depend on your circumstances and will be decided by the doctor. It is recommended that the starting dose of menotropins for causing ovulation in the hopes of becoming pregnant is 150 IU of FSH/LH, injected into a muscle or under the skin once a day for 5 days. The daily dose should not exceed 450 IU, and dosing for more than 12 days is not recommended. Usually hCG will be used the day after the last dose of menotropins.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is very important that the dosing schedule be followed closely and that all doctor's appointments be kept so that progress can be monitored. If you miss a dose, your doctor will help to establish a new dosing schedule.
It is very important to understand how this treatment works. For treatment of infertility in women, it is recommended to have intercourse daily beginning on the day prior to the administration of hCG until ovulation occurs. Your doctor may recommend that you record your basal body temperatures daily to identify when you are ovulating. Be sure to ask the doctor any questions you may have.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Menotropins for injection should not be used by women who:
- are allergic to any ingredients in this medication (e.g., lactose)
- already have high levels of FSH (indicating another reason for infertility)
- are pregnant
- have any cause of infertility other than anovulation unless they are candidates for in vitro-fertilization
- have any lesion inside the head such as a pituitary tumor
- have ovarian cysts or enlargement (except polycystic ovarian syndrome)
- have uncontrolled thyroid and adrenal gland dysfunction
- have undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding