Follistim AQ
Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) is a fertility treatment for both men and women that you can give to yourself at home. It can be expensive and has some serious risks.
What is Follistim AQ (follitropin beta)?
What is Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) used for?
- Female infertility not caused by ovarian failure
- Male infertility not caused by testicular failure
How Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) works
Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) is a gonadotropin medication. It contains a hormone found naturally in the body called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). In women, FSH helps the ovaries get eggs ready for ovulation. In men, FSH causes sperm to grow and mature.
Drug facts
Side effects of Follistim AQ (follitropin beta)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Pelvic pain or discomfort (5-8%)
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (5-8%)
- Headache (7%)
- Pain or redness where Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) was injected (7%)
- Acne (7%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Breast growth in men
- Ovarian cysts
- Rash
- Tiredness
- Nausea
Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reactions
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: Severe pelvic or stomach pain and swelling along with nausea, vomiting, sudden weight gain, diarrhea, trouble breathing, trouble urinating
- Lung problems: Trouble breathing, fluid in the lungs, worsening of any current lung problems
- Heart attack: Chest pain or tightness, pain that radiates up to your shoulder, arm, neck, or jaw
- Stroke: Sudden trouble talking, trouble walking, numbness on one side of your body or face
- Ectopic pregnancy: Severe, unexplainable pelvic pain along with unusual vaginal bleeding
The following Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Abdominal or stomach pain that is severe
severe nausea or vomiting
stomach or pelvic discomfort, aching, or heaviness
weight gain that is rapid
Less common
Heavy non-menstrual vaginal bleeding
redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site
unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
Difficulty with breathing
pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves
severe, sudden headache
slurred speech
sudden loss of coordination
sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg
sudden, unexplained shortness of breath
vision changes
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Body aches or pain
chills
difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
dizziness
fast or racing heart
quick or shallow breathing
rash
swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
Incidence not known
Breast tenderness
normal menstrual bleeding occurring earlier, possibly lasting longer than expected
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Follistim AQ (follitropin beta)
Pros
- Can be given at home
- Well-tolerated with mild side effects
- Comes as an easy-to-use pen injector
- Can treat infertility in both men and women
Cons
- Only available as an injection
- For men, takes several months to work
- For women, requires blood tests and multiple office visits for ultrasounds
- Brand name only, so can be very expensive
Pharmacist tips for Follistim AQ (follitropin beta)
- Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) can be given at home. You don't need to go to your provider's office to receive your doses. But, you will need to be taught how to correctly give yourself the injection.
- For women, the dose of Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) and the number of days you will use it for will be unique. Follow your provider's directions very carefully to give the medication the best chance to work.
- Use a new pen needle each time you give yourself Follistim AQ (follitropin beta). Throw away the used pen needles in a protective (sharps) container. These containers might be given to you by your provider, but if not, they can be purchased at most pharmacies. Don't throw pen needles away in the regular trash.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water before injecting Follistim AQ (follitropin beta), and make sure to wipe the area of skin you are going to inject the medication into with an alcohol swab before injecting. Use a different area of the body for every dose. This will help prevent discomfort and pain during injections.
- Always check the liquid inside the pen cartridge before every injection. The liquid inside should be clear. If Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) is colored or if you see anything floating in the liquid, don't use it. Call your provider or the pharmacy who filled your prescription if this happens.
- After Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) has been injected, place a cotton ball over the area, and apply some pressure for several seconds. To prevent tenderness, gently massage the area while applying pressure.
- Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) cartridges will stay stable longer if you store them in the refrigerator. They can only be stored at room temperature for 3 months before you start using it. Once you start using a cartridge, it must be stored at room temperature and is only good for 28 days.
Common questions about Follistim AQ (follitropin beta)
Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) is very similar to Gonal-f (follitropin alfa). Both of these medications are injections that contain FSH and are used to treat male and female infertility. Speak with your provider to determine which one would be the best option for you.
Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) is very effective at making you ovulate and becomes more effective if you use it for a few cycles in a row. In studies, 72% of all women ovulated during their first cycle while using this medication. After three cycles of using Follistim AQ (follitropin beta), 85% of women ovulated.
Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) doesn't usually cause weight gain. Side effects are generally very mild for most people who use this medication.
When women use Follistim AQ (follitropin beta), it can lead to twins, triplets, or more. This medication can get more than one egg ready to ovulate. Please be aware there is a higher risk of becoming pregnant with more than one baby with Follistim AQ (follitropin beta).
You should inject Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) in the outside of your upper legs or in your stomach just under your belly button.
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Risks and warnings for Follistim AQ (follitropin beta)
Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Swollen ovaries
- Risk factors: High doses of Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) | Using Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) too long
Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) can cause women's ovaries to grow or swell. This is more likely to happen if you are using high doses of this medication or have used it for too long. Your ovaries will be watched closely by your provider with ultrasounds to make sure they are not growing too much. If your ovaries are ever too swollen on an ultrasound, your provider will tell you to stop injecting Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) and avoid having sex. Tell your provider right away if you feel any cramps or pain in the pelvic or lower belly area while using this medication.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
- Risk factors: Pregnancy
In women, Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) can cause OHSS, a condition that occurs when the ovaries grow too large after you have finished your injections. It is very painful and can cause vomiting and diarrhea. It can also cause more serious conditions, including touble breathing and bursting ovaries. It usually goes away on its own once your menstrual period starts. People who develop OHSS and also successfully become pregnant tend to have more severe OHSS symptoms. If you feel extreme belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea within 7 to 10 days after finishing Follistim AQ (follitropin beta), tell your provider right away.
Lung problems and blood clots
- Risk factors: Personal or family history of blood clots | Smoking | Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) | People who are overweight
In women, Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) can raise your risk of life-threatening lung problems and blood clots. Smoking, a history of blood clots, and OHSS raise this risk even more. Blood clots can lead to a heart attack, a stroke, or a pulmonary embolism (life-threatening blood clot in the lungs). Be sure to discuss all your past and present medical conditions with your provider before starting Follistim AQ (follitropin beta). Call 911 or get medical help right away if you have pain in your legs or arms, chest pain, sudden severe headaches, trouble breathing, or sudden changes in your speech or vision.
Ovarian twisting
- Risk factors: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) | Pregnancy | Previous stomach surgery | History of ovarian twisting | History of or current ovarian cysts | Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) raises your risk of ovarian twisting in the future. This can cause bloodflow to the ovary to be cut off. It is more likely to happen if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), had stomach surgery in the past, or have OHSS. Tell your provider before you start Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) if you have a history of cysts on your ovaries and/or any surgeries you have had in the past.
Getting pregnant with more than one baby
All gonadotropin fertility treatments, including Follistim AQ (follitropin beta), make women much more likely to conceive and deliver more than one baby (e.g., twins, triplets). This is due to how the medication works to prepare the body to ovulate. Please discuss this possibility with your partner before starting Follistim AQ (follitropin beta).
Problems during pregnancy
All gonadotropin fertility treatments, including Follistim AQ (follitropin beta), make it more likely for women to experience problems during pregnancy than conception without medication. These include birth defects, miscarriages, and pregnancies outside the uterus. It is not clear why this happens. Your provider might want to follow up with you more often to make sure you and your baby are healthy.
Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) dosage
Cartridge| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300iu | 1 cartridge | $980.65 | $980.65 |
| 600iu | 1 cartridge | $1,815.85 | $1,815.85 |
| 900iu | 1 cartridge | $1,845.99 | $1,845.99 |
Typical dosage for Follistim AQ (follitropin beta)
- Female infertility: The dose of this medication is unique for every person, so follow your provider's instructions very carefully and double check with them if you are unsure of your dose. Doses can range from 50 to 500 units injected beneath the skin (subcutaneously) once a day.
- Male infertility: The typical dose is either 150 units injected beneath the skin 3 times a week OR 225 units injected beneath the skin 2 times a week.
Interactions between Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) cost?
$980.65
What are alternatives to Follistim AQ (follitropin beta)?
