PATIENT INFORMATION IVF/ICSI DRUGS - Plymouth Hospitals

Patient Information Drugs For AC Programmes
SOUTH WEST CENTRE FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE
OCEAN SUITE - LEVEL 6
Derriford Hospital
Plymouth PL6 8DH
Tel. (01752) 763704 : Fax (01752) 763641
e-mail: jackie.waugh@phnt.swest.nhs.uk - www.derriford.co.uk/ivf
PATIENT INFORMATION IVF/ICSI DRUGS
This is a simple description of the drugs used in our IVF/ICSI programme. You will be using
some of these drugs, but your protocol is tailored for your individual use.
MICROGYNON
An oral combined contraceptive pill. One tablet to be taken daily (at the same time each day)
from day 2 of your natural cycle for a minimum of 21 days. The hormones contained in the pill
take over from, and temporarily suppress, your own hormones which might otherwise interfere
with the cycle of hormones prescribed for you.
Possible side effects:- Breast tenderness, nausea, headaches. Risks associated with
increased blood clotting are rare in single cycle use but if you experience calf or chest pain,
shortness of breath or severe headaches, please contact the Clinic or your G.P.
BUSERELIN / SUPRECUR (Store in fridge)
Daily injection: dose = 0.3mls, given subcutaneously, in the morning, at a 45° angle into
an area of pinched skin.
We usually advise our patients to inject into their thigh, alternating the injection site if
possible. However, it is possible to use the area just below your navel if you wish (see your
own drug information leaflet).
o
o
o
o
o
Please use the small needle to draw up and give your injections.
Patients on long protocols start injecting the day after they stop taking the pill.
Patients on a short protocol start on Day 2 of their withdrawal bleed.
The drug controls your own cycle and gradually “switches off” your own hormones prior to
egg collection.
This injection continues daily in the morning up until final HCG injection.
Possible side effects: hot flushes, night sweats, breast enlargement, headache, palpations,
vaginal dryness, and mood changes. Localised pain, redness. Please also see the
manufacturers leaflet enclosed with your drug.
N.B. Symptoms usually resolve when commence injections of FSH.
FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE - Menopur for IVF (Store in a cool cupboard)
Dose is variable. This is supplied in powder form with water (dilutent) for mixing the injection.
Use the needle, syringes and auto-injector as supplied by the manufacturer, injecting at a 90°
angle into an area of pinched skin. Please dial your auto injector pen to needle depth no 8
prior to use.
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Patient Information Drugs For AC Programmes
FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE - Puregon for ICSI (Store in fridge)
Dose is variable. This is a supplied in a pre mixed cartridge form for use with an injectable
pen. Inject the drug at a 90º angle into an area of pinched skin.
These two drugs encourage the ovaries to produce several egg-containing follicles instead of
the usual one or two. These drugs may be administered subcutaneously once or twice daily
(at the same time(s) each day) according to your individual regime.
Possible side effects of FSH:-
1. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) – over reaction producing symptoms of
abdominal bloating and discomfort. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, thirst
or shortness of breath.
2. Localised pain and swelling at injection site.
HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN [HCG] – Pregnyl (Store in fridge)
This drug is supplied in powder form with water (dilutent) for mixing. Please pinch up your skin
as demonstrated at your appointment and inject at a 45º angle.
DOSE: 10,000 units (2 powders: 1 liquid) to be administered at a given time, according to
your individual regime, two days before egg retrieval. This has the effect of completing
development of the eggs and preparing them for release (ovulation).
Possible side effects: bloating, headache, injection site reaction, breast tenderness and may
exacerbate hyperstimulation (OHSS).
CYCLOGEST PESSARIES – (Store in cool cupboard)
This contains the hormone progesterone, which is absorbed through the internal tissues and
may help with implantation of the embryo.
Dose:
o One pessary is to be used on the evening of your egg collection and is to be inserted into
the vagina, or rectum.
o The following day please use a pessary both morning and evening and continue until
performing your pregnancy test.
o If it is positive you will need to continue with the Cyclogest Pessaries until you are 12-
weeks pregnant unless directed otherwise. If the test is negative we will ask you to stop
using the pessaries.
o The progesterone helps to maintain the lining of the womb (endometrium), which the
embryos need to embed in.
Possible side effects: pre-menstrual-like symptoms e.g. bloating, fluid retention, nausea,
breast tenderness, headaches, skin reactions.
Ref: www.bnf.org
Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures Ed 6,CH 9, p194.
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