IVF medications explained
A bag of boxes arrives and none of it is explained. These pages say what each medicine is, why it might be used and roughly where it sits in a cycle. They deliberately contain no doses and no schedules. Those come from your clinic in writing, and the leaflet in the box is the authority.
If a dose is missed, late, spilled or you are unsure about anything at all, ring your clinic rather than guessing. That is what the out of hours number is for.
- Gonal-FFollicle stimulating hormone (FSH) injectionGonal-F is a lab-made version of follicle stimulating hormone, given by injection under the skin. It is one of the main medicines used to stimulate the ovaries during IVF.
- MenopurCombined FSH and LH injectionMenopur contains a mixture of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone, extracted and purified from urine, given by injection under the skin or into muscle.
- FollistimFollicle stimulating hormone (FSH) injectionFollistim is a lab-made form of follicle stimulating hormone, given by injection under the skin, usually with a pen device.
- PuregonFollicle stimulating hormone (FSH) injectionPuregon is a lab-made form of follicle stimulating hormone, given by injection under the skin using a pen or syringe.
- OvitrelleTrigger injection (human chorionic gonadotrophin)Ovitrelle contains a lab-made form of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), given as a single injection under the skin using a pre-filled pen.
- PregnylTrigger injection (human chorionic gonadotrophin)Pregnyl contains human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), derived from urine, given by injection to finish the maturing process of the eggs before retrieval.
- CetrotideGnRH antagonist injectionCetrotide is a GnRH antagonist, given by injection under the skin, which works by blocking the natural hormone signal that would otherwise trigger early ovulation.
- OrgalutranGnRH antagonist injectionOrgalutran is a GnRH antagonist given by injection under the skin, working in a similar way to Cetrotide by blocking the hormone signal that would otherwise cause early ovulation.
- Lupron (leuprorelin)GnRH agonist injectionLupron is a GnRH agonist, given by injection, which initially stimulates and then suppresses the body's own hormone signals to the ovaries, depending on how and when it is used.
- Progesterone (Cyclogest, Utrogestan, Lubion)Progesterone hormone support, given as a pessary, capsule or injectionProgesterone is a hormone given in various forms, including vaginal pessaries, oral or vaginal capsules, and subcutaneous injection, to support the lining of the womb.
- Estradiol (Progynova, oestrogen tablets and patches)Oestrogen hormone support, given as tablets or skin patchesEstradiol is a form of oestrogen, given as tablets, dissolvable tablets or skin patches, used to help build and support the lining of the womb.
- LetrozoleOral aromatase inhibitor, used for ovulation induction or mild stimulationLetrozole is a tablet that works by reducing oestrogen production, which in turn encourages the body to release more of its own follicle stimulating hormone.
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Written by patients, not clinicians. This page has not yet been reviewed by a named fertility professional, so it explains published guidance and points you to the original source instead of giving medical advice. It is not medical advice. Decisions about your treatment belong with your own clinic. Read our editorial policy and corrections policy.