Gonal-f (follitropin alfa) is used to treat infertility in females and males. It's a man-made version of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which plays an important role in follicle and sperm development. Gonal-f (follitropin alfa) is injected under the skin, typically once daily. The dosage of Gonal-f (follitropin alfa) and the duration of treatment can differ from person to person, so follow your fertility specialist's instructions carefully. It's available under different brand names (Gonal-f, Gonal-f RFF, Gonal-f RFF Redi-ject), but not a generic. Some common side effects of this medication include headache and stomach pain.
Gonal-f (follitropin alfa) contains a lab-made form of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is a gonadotropin. In females, FSH helps the ovaries develop follicles and helps the eggs mature. In males, FSH causes healthy sperm to grow.
| Common Brands | Gonal-f, Gonal-f RFF, Gonal-f RFF Redi-ject |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Gonadotropin |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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.
Females:
Males
Females:
Males
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
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
Acid or sour stomach
backache
belching
chest pain or tightness
confusion
difficulty breathing
difficulty in speaking
dizziness or lightheadedness
double vision
excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
fainting
fast heartbeat
fast, weak pulse
full feeling
headache
inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
indigestion
loss of appetite
noisy breathing
passing gas
pelvic pain, discomfort, aching, or heaviness
rapid weight gain
severe nausea
slow speech
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain, or swelling
sudden increase in stomach or shoulder pain
sweating
trouble breathing
unusual or large amount of vaginal bleeding
uterine bleeding between menstrual periods
vomiting
Incidence not known
Difficulty swallowing
dizziness
pain the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
slurred speech
sudden loss of coordination
sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg
unusual tiredness or weakness
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:
More common
bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
dandruff
oily skin
swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
Less common
Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
inability to have or keep an erection
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
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.
Tips on storing Gonal-f (follitropin alfa)
Tips on using Gonal-f (follitropin alfa)
Gonal-f (follitropin alfa) 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.
Gonal-f (follitropin alfa) can cause females' ovaries to grow or swell. This is more likely to happen if you're using high doses of this medication or have used it for too long. Your fertility provider will monitor your ovaries closely with ultrasounds to make sure they aren't growing too much. If your ovaries are ever too swollen on an ultrasound, your fertility provider will tell you to stop injecting Gonal-f (follitropin alfa) and avoid having sex. Tell your healthcare team right away if you feel any cramps or pain in the pelvic or lower belly area while using this medication.
In females, Gonal-f (follitropin alfa) can cause OHSS, a condition that occurs when the ovaries grow too large after you've finished your injections. It's very painful and can cause vomiting and diarrhea. It can also cause more serious conditions, including trouble 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 Gonal-f (follitropin alfa), tell your fertility provider right away.
In females, Gonal-f (follitropin alfa) 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 fertility provider before starting Gonal-f (follitropin alfa). 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.
Gonal-f (follitropin alfa) raises your risk of ovarian twisting in the future. This can cause blood flow to the ovary to be cut off. It's more likely to happen if you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), had stomach surgery in the past, or have OHSS. Tell your fertility provider before you start Gonal-f (follitropin alfa) if you have a history of cysts on your ovaries and/or any surgeries you have had in the past.
All gonadotropin fertility treatments, including Gonal-f (follitropin alfa), make females much more likely to conceive and deliver more than one baby (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 Gonal-f (follitropin alfa).
All gonadotropin fertility treatments, including Gonal-f (follitropin alfa), make it more likely for you to experience problems during pregnancy than if you were to conceive without medication. These include birth defects, miscarriages, and pregnancies outside the uterus. It isn't clear why this happens. Your fertility provider might want to follow up with you more often to make sure you and your baby are healthy.
Severe allergic reactions to Gonal-f (follitropin alfa) are possible, including life-threatening problems like anaphylaxis (closing of the throat). Call 911 if this happens. If you notice hives, a rash, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after using Gonal-f (follitropin alfa), call your healthcare professional right away.
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.
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Gonal-f (follitropin alfa) will not be safe for you to take.
Prescription savings
Stop paying too much for your prescriptions. Compare prices, get pharmacy coupons, and save up to 80%.
Find expert answers to your health questions so you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family.Health conditions
Medications & treatment
Access & affordability
Our monthly healthcare membership can help you save thousands on your prescription costs.Resources
You likely won't feel Gonal-F working for you, so it's important to maintain appointments with your fertility specialist and any ultrasounds or blood tests they order for you. These tests and appointments will allow your fertility provider to check how well Gonal-F is working for you.
All Gonal-F products can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature before use, but there are a few specific differences depending on which product you're using. Gonal-f multi-dose vial comes as a powder that needs to be mixed; after you've mixed it, this medication is only good for 28 days (in the fridge or at room temperature). Gonal-f RFF single-dose vial also comes as a powder that needs to be mixed; after you've mixed it, the medication needs to be used right away. Gonal-f RFF Redi-ject is an autoinjector that can be used for multiple injections. Before you open it, you can store it in the refrigerator until the expiration date on the box or at room temperature for up to 3 months. But once you start to use it, this medication is only good for 28 days (in the fridge or at room temperature).
Both Gonal-F and menotropins (Menopur) are once-a-day injections given under the skin to help stimulate the ovaries to produce mature eggs in females. The main difference between them is that Menopur contains two hormones, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), whereas Gonal-F only contains FSH. It's possible that your fertility specialist will have you take Menopur along with Gonal-F. Another difference is that Gonal-F is approved for use in males who are infertile; Menopur is not FDA-approved for use in male infertility.
Both Gonal-F and Follistim AQ (follitropin beta) are brand-name injectable forms of FSH used to stimulate the ovaries to make follicles and release mature eggs, but they're different medications; they have different doses and they come in different dosage forms. Your fertility specialist will not have you use both medications at the same time.
It's best to avoid alcohol while taking Gonal-F. Research suggests that alcohol can affect the number and quality of eggs. In addition, alcohol might also affect sperm count. These factors mean Gonal-F might not work as best as it can to help you become pregnant if you also drink alcohol at the same time.
If you miss a dose of Gonal-F, don't double up the next dose to make up for the mixed one. If you miss a dose, contact your fertility specialist for instructions on what to do.
Weight gain isn't a typical side effect of Gonal-F. But it can be a symptom of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a potentially serious side effect of Gonal-F in females. OHSS can happen when the ovaries make too many eggs. This can lead to sudden fluid build up in different areas of the body, which can result in weight gain. Let your fertility specialist know right away if you notice weight gain after starting Gonal-F so they can check to see if you have OHSS.
