follitropin alfa at a glance
Medicine class
Recombinant human FSH gonadotrophin
How it is given
Injection under the skin after appropriate training
Monitoring
Ovarian response is monitored closely with scans, often alongside blood tests
What is follitropin alfa used for?
Licensed adult uses include:
Inducing follicular development and ovulation in women with anovulation, including polycystic ovarian syndrome, who have not responded to clomifene citrate.
Stimulating development of several ovarian follicles during assisted reproduction, including IVF.
With an LH-containing preparation, stimulating follicles in women with severe LH and FSH deficiency.
With hCG, stimulating sperm production in men with congenital or acquired hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism.
How does follitropin alfa work?
Follitropin alfa acts like natural FSH. In the ovaries it promotes follicle growth. In men who lack gonadotrophins, it works with hCG to support sperm production.
How to take follitropin alfa
Treatment must be supervised by a fertility specialist. The injection is given just beneath the skin; self-injection is appropriate only after training and with access to specialist advice.
Follow the clinic schedule and instructions for the specific pen.
Use only clear solution without visible particles.
Ovaleap cartridges are used only with the Ovaleap Pen and must not be refilled or shared.
Bemfola is a single-use pre-filled pen; discard the pen and needle after use.
Do not mix the solution with another medicine in the pen or cartridge.
follitropin alfa side effects
Common or expected effects
- Injection-site pain, redness, bruising, swelling or irritation
- Headache
- Ovarian cysts
- Abdominal pain, bloating or discomfort, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea in women
- Acne, breast enlargement, varicocele or weight gain in men
Get urgent medical advice
- OHSS
- Severe allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis
- Blood clots, with or without OHSS
- Ovarian twisting or other complications of severe OHSS
- Worsening asthma
follitropin alfa in pregnancy
Follitropin alfa is used to help achieve pregnancy but is not indicated once pregnancy has occurred. Evidence from exposed pregnancies is limited. Contact the fertility team before further injections if pregnancy is possible or confirmed.
follitropin alfa while breastfeeding
Follitropin alfa is not indicated during breastfeeding. Discuss feeding plans with the fertility specialist before treatment.
follitropin alfa interactions
Few clinically significant medicine interactions have been reported, but other fertility hormones can alter ovarian response.
hCG or clomifene citrate
Using these with follitropin alfa may increase the follicular response and requires specialist monitoring.
GnRH agonists or antagonists
Pituitary suppression can reduce the response to follitropin alfa.
Common questions about follitropin alfa
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is follitropin alfa the same as FSH?
It is a recombinant version of human follicle-stimulating hormone and acts through the same FSH receptor.
Can men be prescribed follitropin alfa?
Yes. With hCG, it is licensed to stimulate sperm production in men with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.