Ganirelix Acetate, Injection
gan-ee-REL-iks AS-ih-tate
What are other names for this medicine?
Type of medicine: gonadotropin; infertility therapy; ovulation stimulator
Generic and brand names: ganirelix acetate, injection
What is this medicine used for?
This medicine is a fertility drug given by injection (shot) to help a woman get pregnant. It helps a woman's body release eggs from her ovaries so that they can be fertilized during intercourse.
It may also be used to help men produce sperm.
It is also used for in vitro fertilization, where eggs are taken out of the woman's body, fertilized by sperm, and put back into her uterus.
It is also used to regulate hormone response while you are being treated for infertility. It keeps a woman from ovulating too soon.
What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?
Before using this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
- an allergic reaction to any medicine
- an allergic reaction to latex
- allergic disorders such as asthma, hay fever, or eczema
- kidney or liver disease
- primary ovarian failure (your ovaries no longer make eggs)
- primary testicular failure
- thyroid or adrenal gland problems
- tumors of the ovary, uterus, breast, testicles, brain, or pituitary gland
- unusual vaginal bleeding
- an ovarian cyst or any unusual growth in the ovaries
Females of childbearing age: Do not have shots of this medicine if you are already pregnant or breast-feeding because it may seriously harm the baby. Birth defects have occurred in babies born to women who had these shots during pregnancy. Stop taking this medicine at the first sign that you may be pregnant and contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.
How do I use it?
Shots of this medicine are timed with your monthly periods. Your healthcare provider will determine the dosage and the number of shots you will receive based on your response to the first few shots. You will be given these shots over several days or weeks.
The shots are given just under the skin. If your healthcare provider is giving you the shots, keep all your appointments.
Sometimes you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Be sure you know how and when to have shots and how much medicine to use. Use sterile, disposable syringes and needles. Use each syringe and needle only once and dispose of them safely, following your healthcare provider's instructions.
Carefully read and follow the directions that come in the package of medicine for preparing the shots. Wash your hands with soap and water before using this medicine. Follow these steps to give yourself the shots:
- Your healthcare provider will tell you where you can give yourself the shots (abdomen, thigh, upper arm, or other sites). If you are giving the shot in your abdomen, choose a site) around the belly button but not in the belly button. Each day, choose a different spot for the shot to lessen irritation.
- Use an alcohol swab to clean the skin where you will give yourself the shot.
- Gently pinch up the skin and insert the needle into the skin at a 45° to 90° angle. After you insert the needle completely, release your grasp of the skin. If you are using a Pen, follow the directions in the package for how to give yourself the shots.
- Gently pull back on the plunger of the syringe. If no blood appears, inject all of the solution by gently and steadily pushing down the plunger. If blood appears when you pull back on the plunger, withdraw the needle and syringe and gently press the alcohol swab on the injection site. Start over with a fresh needle.
- After you have given yourself the shot, withdraw the needle and syringe and press a gauze pad on the spot where the shot was given.
- Discard the syringe, needle, and drug vial. Use the syringes and needles ONLY ONCE. Throw them away after use. Put used needles in rigid puncture-resistant containers with lids or caps, such as heavy plastic bleach bottles with screw caps. DO NOT throw needles directly into garbage cans or dumpsters. If you are using a Pen, follow the instructions in the package. The Pen may be used for several doses of medicine. When you repeat the procedure with the Pen, use a new needle.
- When you repeat the procedure, use a new syringe.
If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
What if I overdose?
Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.
What should I watch out for?
If you are not having in vitro fertilization, your healthcare provider will tell you on which days each month you need to have sexual intercourse. It may take several months to become pregnant.
You may need many tests, including ultrasound exams and blood tests, during treatment with this medicine. You may also receive shots of other medicines. Keep all your appointments for treatment and tests.
Your ovaries may become enlarged, which may cause mild abdominal bloating and pain. Contact your healthcare provider if these symptoms last more than 2 to 3 weeks or if they become severe.
Rarely, this medicine causes a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. The symptoms are severe abdominal bloating and pain, nausea, vomiting, rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, and reduced urination. If you have these symptoms, or if you have burning when you urinate, contact your healthcare provider right away because you need special treatment.
Multiple births (two or more babies from one pregnancy) may occur as a result of treatment with this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about the possibility of multiple births.
What are the possible side effects?
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Sudden severe headache or vomiting; dizziness or fainting; problems with vision or speech; weakness, tingling, or numbness in an arm or leg; chest pain; pain in the calf; vaginal bleeding that continues; severe abdominal bloating and pain; shortness of breath; reduced urination; rapid weight gain; severe nausea; severe diarrhea.
Other: Minor abdominal bloating and pain, dizziness, diarrhea, gas, irritation where the shots are given, breast tenderness, hot flashes, headache, dry skin, hair loss, increased thirst, loss of appetite, sore throat, back pain, breast enlargement in men.
What products might interact with this medicine?
No significant drug interactions have been reported.
Be sure that you tell your healthcare provider if you are having shots of other hormones.
Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
How should I store this medicine?
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the vial tightly closed. Protect the medicine from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
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Published by RelayHealth.
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