Ganirelix (By injection)
ga-ni-REL-ix
Keeps a woman from ovulating too soon when undergoing infertility treatment.
Drug classes
Endocrine-Metabolic Agent, Female Reproductive Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Ganirelix injection is used as a fertility medicine to prevent premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges or ovulation in women undergoing fertility treatment of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. It may also help reduce the need for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is also needed for ovulation. Ganirelix is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the schedule for your treatment or how your progress will be checked.
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It may also be given by a home health caregiver.
You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. The usual areas are the upper thigh or near the navel. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.
Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
If a dose is missed:
This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using any other medicines to treat infertility.
When Not To Use
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to ganirelix or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) or if you are pregnant.
Warnings
Although this medicine is used as a part of a program to achieve pregnancy, receiving Antagon® if you are already pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Carefully follow any instructions your doctor gives you regarding birth control or pregnancy testing during your treatment.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you are allergic to latex.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Rapid weight gain or bloating
Severe or ongoing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Severe stomach or pelvic pain
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Mild nausea or stomach pain
Redness or swelling at the site of injection
Unusual vaginal bleeding
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Antagon, Ganirelix Acetate
There may be other brand names for this medicine.