by Leigh Ann Woodruff, June 20, 2012
When a woman undergoes in vitro fertilization (IVF), typically she gets a daily shot of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in order to stimulate the ovaries and help produce multiple eggs. Now a new study has found that long-lasting weekly injections of fertility hormones are as safe and effective as the daily injections.
The longer-lasting FSH is called corifollitropin alfa, (brand name ELONVA®) and it has been approved for use in Europe since 2010. Corrifollitopin alfa has the ability to initiate and sustain multiple follicular growth for an entire week, so a single subcutaneous injection may replace the first seven injections of any conventional daily recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) preparation for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.
"In a typical IVF cycle, patients take seven to 11 days of shots," says Spencer Richlin, M.D., a fertility doctor and Surgical Director of Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut. "This new weekly injection will allow them to take one to three shots. Patients who don't like needles, find the shots uncomfortable, or have trouble being in a private place at the same time everyday will appreciate the convenience of a weekly shot."
The weekly injections are not available in the United States yet. "We are waiting for FDA approval," Dr. Richlin explains. "We ssume they will be here in the next 1 to 2 years."
