Follistim Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Follistim Injection (follitropin beta) is a man-made version of follicle-stimulating hormone used as part of fertility treatments. It helps the ovaries grow and mature eggs in women and supports sperm production in men, often alongside human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). It is given by subcutaneous injection and requires close monitoring by a healthcare provider.

What is Follistim Injection

Follistim AQ is a man-made form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. This hormone regulates ovulation, the growth and development of eggs in a woman's ovaries. It is used as part of fertility treatments.

Follistim Injection uses

• To help people get pregnant who are having fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF)
• To help induce ovulation, which is when the ovaries release eggs
• To help produce sperm in people assigned male at birth who have certain fertility problems
• Used to treat infertility in women who cannot ovulate
• Used in men to stimulate sperm production
• Often used together with another medication called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Benefits of Follistim Injection

• Helps stimulate the ovaries to develop and mature eggs in women who do not ovulate normally.
• Can help induce ovulation and support pregnancy in certain women with functional infertility.
• Is used during IVF or ICSI treatment to stimulate the development of multiple mature eggs.
• Helps increase the number of eggs available for fertility procedures and egg retrieval.
• In men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, it can help stimulate sperm production when used with hCG.
• Provides recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to support normal reproductive cell development.

How Follistim Injection works

Follistim works like the body's natural follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). It signals the body to grow and mature eggs in the ovary, getting them ready for release, and it also helps the body make sperm.

Follistim Injection dosage

Follistim is injected under the skin (subcutaneous injection). A healthcare provider may teach you or a caregiver how to properly prepare and give the injection. Use exactly as directed by your prescription label and at the same time each day. Do not use the medicine if it looks cloudy or has particles in it; call your pharmacist for new medicine. You may need to mix the medicine with a liquid before using it; be sure you understand how to properly mix and store it. Take the medicine out of the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature before injecting; do not heat it. To get pregnant, you may need to have sex daily for several days in a row, since timing of sex and medication dosing is important. You will need frequent medical tests, blood work, and possibly ultrasound exams during treatment. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully, including any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity. Use a needle and syringe only once, then place them in a puncture-proof sharps container.

Available forms and strengths

• Injection, cartridge (300 IU/0.36 mL, 600 IU/0.72 mL, 900 IU/1.08 mL)

Side effects of Follistim Injection

Common

• Ovarian cyst
• Stomach pain or swelling
• Headache
• Nausea
• Tiredness
• Acne
• Pain, itching, bruising, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• Enlarged or tender breast tissue
• Rash
• Stuffy nose, sneezing, sinus pain

Serious

• Severe allergic reactions (breathing problems, wheezing, racing heart, fever, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of face/lips/mouth/tongue/throat, trouble swallowing, hives, dizziness, fainting)
• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (stomach pain or swelling, trouble breathing, nausea or vomiting, rapid weight gain, less urine than usual, vaginal bleeding, sharp pelvic or lower back pain, fast breathing or heart rate)
• Blood clots (trouble breathing, lightheadedness, chest pain or pressure, fast or abnormal heartbeat, pain in back/jaw/throat/arm, sudden weakness on one side of the body, sudden severe headache, slurred speech, vision loss)
• Severe pelvic pain on one side
• Cough with bloody mucus
• Fever, sore throat, swollen glands
• A lump or swelling in the testicles
• Signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome (fever with shortness of breath or rapid breathing)

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use Follistim if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. Your doctor may test you to confirm you are not pregnant before starting treatment. If you become pregnant while using it, contact your healthcare provider right away.
• It is not known if Follistim passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed; some sources advise not breastfeeding while using this medicine.
• Tell your healthcare provider if you have kidney problems before using this medicine.
• Tell your healthcare provider if you have liver problems before using this medicine.
• It is not known if drinking alcohol will affect this medicine.
• People who are allergic to Follistim, follitropin beta, the antibiotics streptomycin or neomycin, any other FSH product, or any ingredient in the product should not use this medicine.
• People with certain health conditions should not use this medicine, including high FSH levels, uncontrolled thyroid/pituitary/adrenal gland problems, certain brain tumors, unexplained abnormal vaginal bleeding, ovarian cysts not caused by polycystic ovary syndrome, enlarged ovaries of unknown cause, or hormone-dependent tumors of the reproductive system.
• Fertility treatment with this medicine raises the chance of having twins or other multiple births, which increases risks during pregnancy and childbirth.
• Do not share this medicine with other people, even if they have the same condition, as it may harm them.
• Keep this medicine out of the reach of children, and take extra care since it may be stored in a shared refrigerator.

Storage

• Store refrigerated at 2–8°C (36–46°F) until the expiration date.
• If needed, it may be stored at 25°C (77°F) or below for up to 3 months before first use.
• Keep the cartridge or vial in the original carton to protect from light.
• Do not freeze; do not use if the medicine has been frozen.
• After first use, follow the product-specific instructions; Follistim AQ cartridges are generally discarded after 28 days.
• Keep securely stored and out of reach of children.

When to see a doctor

• Stop using this medicine and get help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, wheezing, racing heart, fever, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the face/lips/mouth/tongue/throat, trouble swallowing, hives, dizziness, or fainting.
• Stop using this medicine and tell your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, such as stomach pain or swelling, trouble breathing, nausea or vomiting, rapid weight gain, reduced urination, vaginal bleeding, or sudden sharp pelvic or lower back pain.
• Stop using this medicine and tell your healthcare provider right away if you have signs of a blood clot, such as trouble breathing, lightheadedness, chest pain or pressure, fast or abnormal heartbeat, pain in the back/jaw/throat/arm, sudden weakness on one side of the body, sudden severe headache, slurred speech, or vision loss.
• If stomach pain occurs while using this medicine, stop treatment and call your care team immediately; do not use hCG injection and avoid sexual intercourse.
• If you think you have used too much of this medicine, get medical help right away or contact a poison control center.

Alternatives

• Bravelle (Urofollitropin)
• Menopur (Menotropins)
• Ovaleap
• Bemfola
• Gonal-f (Follitropin Alfa)