follitropin alfa

follitropin alfa

Gonal-F

Gonal-F RFF

Indications

Action

Pharmacokinetics

Time/action profile

Contraindications/Precautions

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Central nervous system

• dizziness
• headache

Cardiovascular

• thromboembolic events (life-threatening)

Ear, Eye, Nose, Throat

• pharyngitis
• rhinitis

Gastrointestinal

• constipation
• diarrhea
• dyspepsia
• flatulence

Genitourinary

• ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (life-threatening)
• abdominal/pelvic pain (most frequent)
• dysmenorrhea
• irregular bleeding
• ovarian enlargement
• ovarian torsion

Dermatologic

• acne

Endocrinologic

• breast pain

Respiratory

• cough

Local

• injection site reactions

Miscellaneous

• anaphylaxis (life-threatening)
• flu-like symptoms
• multiple births

Interactions

Drug-Drug interaction

Route/Dosage

Female infertility

Assisted Reproduction Technologies

Male Patients with Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism (Gonal-F only)

Availability

Nursing implications

Nursing assessment

• Monitor follicular maturation during therapy via ovarian ultrasound and serum estradiol levels.
• Assess patient for ovarian enlargement (abdominal distention, abdominal pain). Usually regresses without treatment within 2–3 wks.
• For men, monitor serum testosterone levels and sperm counts. Prior to concomitant therapy with follitropin alfa and hCG, pretreatment with hCG alone is required to achieve normal serum testosterone levels. Pretreatment with hCG may require 3–6 mo. Serum testosterone levels should be normalized prior to initiation of therapy.
Assess patient for signs of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (severe ovarian enlargement, abdominal pain and distention, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, diarrhea, dyspnea, oliguria). May be accompanied by ascites, pleural effusion, hypovolemia, electrolyte imbalance, hemoperitoneum, thromboembolic events.

Potential Nursing Diagnoses

Implementation

• Subcutaneous: Administer via subcut injection only. Vials:Dissolve the contents of each vial with sterile or bacteriostatic water for injection provided in accompanying pre-filled syringe. For single-dose vial, use immediately after reconstitution and discard unused solution. Multi-dose vials may be stored in refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 28 days. Dose from multi-dose vials should be administered with calibrated syringes provided by manufacturer. Protect all vials from light. Pre-filled pens:Pens should be at room temperature before using. Remove protective pen cap. Remove peel tab from outer needle cap on single-use disposable needle (provided in carton). Press threaded tip of pen into open end of outer needle cap and twist it clockwise until securely fixed. Remover outer needle cap (but don't throw away). Do not remove the inner needle cap at this time. Select prescribed dose by turning dosage dial to proper dose mark. Pull out injection button on pen as far as it will go. Remover inner needle cap on pen. Insert needle into abdominal skin at 90 degree angle and push injection button. Allow needle to remain in skin for at least 5 sec to ensure that full dose is injected. Remove needle. Replace outer needle cap onto needle. Remove needle by unscrewing pen counter-clockwise and dispose of in safety container. Replace protective pen cap. Unused pens may be stored in refrigerator until expiration date or at room temperature for up to 1 mo or until expiration date, whichever occurs first. Used pens may be stored in refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 28 days. Pens should be protected from light.

Patient/Family Teaching

• Prior to initiation of therapy discuss with patient the duration of therapy, required monitoring, potential adverse reactions, and risk of multiple births.
• Encourage couple to have intercourse daily, beginning on the day prior to administration of hCG until ovulation becomes apparent based on indices to determine progestational activity. Care should be taken to ensure insemination.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

• Successful pregnancy.
• Increased sperm count.