Menotropins

Menotropins is a prescription medication used for inducing ovulation in preparation for in vitro-fertilization. 

• Menotropins are available under various brand names: Menopur, Repronex

Common side effects of Menotropins include:

• stomach cramps or bloating;
• headache; or
• pain, swelling, or warmth at the injection site.

Serious side effects of Menotropins include:

• hives,
• difficult breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• stomach pain, bloating;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• rapid weight gain, especially in your face and midsection;
• little or no urinating; or
• pain while breathing, rapid heart rate, feeling short of breath (especially when lying down)
• chest pain, dry cough, feeling short of breath (especially when lying down);
• signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
• signs of a blood clot in the lung--chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood; or
• signs of a blood clot in the leg--pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs.

Rare side effects of Menotropins include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Powder for injection: LH/FSH

• 75 IU

Ovulation Induction

Adult dosage

• Repronex: 150 IU IM/SC for the first 5 days of treatment; adjustments not to be made more frequently than every 2 days; not to exceed 75-150 IU per adjustment (not to exceed 450 IU/dose); not to exceed 12 days of therapy
• If the patient's response is satisfactory, administer 5000-10,000 units of hCG one day following the last dose of menotropins

Spermatogenesis

Adult dosage

• 75 IU each of LH and FSH SC/IM 3 times/week for at least 4 months

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first

• Menotropins have no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Menotropins have no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Menotropins have no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Menotropins have no noted minor interactions with any other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• allergic to menotropins;
• a condition called primary ovarian failure;
• cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovary;
• an untreated or uncontrolled disorder of your thyroid or adrenal gland;
• infertility that is not caused by lack of ovulation;
• abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;
• an ovarian cyst or enlarged ovaries;
• a tumor of your pituitary gland or hypothalamus; or
• if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Effects of drug abuse

• none.

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Menotropins?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Menotropins?”

Cautions

• You should not use this medicine if you have primary ovarian failure, abnormal vaginal bleeding, uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal gland disorders, an ovarian cyst, breast cancer, uterine or ovarian cancer, a tumor of your pituitary gland or hypothalamus, or infertility that is not caused by lack of ovulation.
• Some women using this medicine develop a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), especially after the first treatment. OHSS can be a life-threatening condition. Stop using menotropins, do not have sexual intercourse, and call your doctor right away.
• If you stop taking alosetron for any reason, do not start taking it again without your doctor's advice.
• Menotropins will not cause ovulation if your ovaries are not functioning properly.
• Your doctor will perform blood tests and a pelvic exam to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using menotropins.
• Your male sexual partner's fertility should also be checked before you are treated with menotropins.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Do not use menotropins if you are already pregnant.
• Using menotropins can increase your chances of having multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, quadruplets, etc). Multiple pregnancies are high-risk pregnancies for the mother and the babies. Follow your doctor's instructions about any special care you may need during your pregnancy.
• Menotropins may also increase your risk of tubal pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, birth defects, or fever after childbirth if you become pregnant after being treated with this medicine. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about these risks.
• Although menotropins can help you become pregnant, this medicine can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use menotropins if you are already pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Lactation

• It is not known whether menotropins pass into breast milk. Do not use menotropins without first talking to your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.