Follitropin beta (Subcutaneous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 4, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Follistim
• Follistim AQ
• Gonal-f RFF

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Human Follicle Stimulating Hormone Combination

Pharmacologic Class: Human Follicle Stimulating Hormone

Uses for follitropin beta

Follitropin beta injection is used to treat infertility in both men and women. Follitropin beta is a man-made hormone called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH is produced in the body by the pituitary gland. FSH helps to develop eggs in the ovaries of women and sperm in the testes of men. Follitropin beta replaces natural FSH in the body.

Follitropin beta will help develop eggs in women who have not been able to become pregnant because of problems with ovulation. Some women will use follitropin beta while enrolled in a fertility program called Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). ART uses procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or embryo transfer (ET). Follitropin beta is used together with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in these procedures.

Follistim® AQ Cartridge is also used in women with healthy ovaries who are undergoing reproductive procedures such as IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle. Follitropin beta is used together with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in these procedures.

Follitropin beta is used together with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to increase sperm production in men.

Follitropin beta is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using follitropin beta

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For follitropin beta, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to follitropin beta or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of follitropin beta injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of follitropin beta injection have not been performed in the geriatric population.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

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.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or e...