Ovidrel Syringe (Choriogonadotropin Alfa (Rch))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Ovidrel Syringe Used For?
Ovidrel contains choriogonadotropin alfa, a hormone that belongs to a family called gonadotrophins, which help control reproduction in your body.
Primary Uses
Ovidrel is used in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF). It’s also used in women who don’t produce eggs (anovulation) or who produce too few eggs (oligo-ovulation) to trigger the release of eggs (ovulation) after other medicines have been used to develop follicles.
How It Works
Ovidrel works as a hormone that triggers ovulation by causing the release of mature eggs from the ovaries after follicle development has been stimulated with other fertility medications.
Good to know: Your doctor will monitor your treatment with ultrasound and blood tests to measure estrogen levels to help ensure the best outcome.
How to Take Ovidrel Syringe
Ovidrel is given as a single injection under the skin (subcutaneously), usually near your stomach area. Your doctor or nurse will teach you the proper injection technique.
Dosage Instructions
The dose is one pre-filled syringe containing 250 microgram in 0.5 mL given as a single injection under the skin after your ovaries have been stimulated with other medicines. Each pre-filled syringe is for single use only. Your doctor will tell you exactly when to give the injection – timing is very important for the treatment to work properly.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to give your injection, contact your doctor or nurse immediately for advice. You must inform your doctor if your injection was not given when directed, as timing is critical for this treatment.
Important: Do not attempt to inject yourself until you are completely sure of how to do it properly. Each syringe is for single use only – discard any leftover medicine.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Local reactions at injection site (pain, redness, swelling)
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reactions (swelling of face, lips, tongue, shortness of breath, wheezing, severe skin rash, itching, hives)
- Signs of severe OHSS (severe lower abdominal pain, severe pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea followed by rapid weight gain, low urine output, shortness of breath)
- Signs of blood clots (pain, warmth, redness, numbness or tingling in arm or leg, strokes)
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Ovidrel should not be used, and others where special caution is needed.
Who Should Not Take Ovidrel Syringe
Do not use Ovidrel if you are allergic to choriogonadotropin alfa or any ingredients, if your ovaries cannot be stimulated (primary ovarian failure), have uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal disease, have tumors of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, have ovarian enlargement or large ovarian cysts, have cancer of ovaries/uterus/breasts, have fibroid tumors making pregnancy impossible, have been through menopause, have active blood clot disorders, or have unexplained vaginal or uterine bleeding.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you or your family have an increased risk of developing blood clots, such as stroke or heart attacks. Your doctor will assess both you and your partner’s fertility and may need to treat other medical conditions before starting treatment with Ovidrel.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. There may be a slightly increased risk of birth defects with assisted reproductive technologies, which could be due to maternal age, genetics, multiple pregnancies, or the procedures themselves. Multiple pregnancies (especially twins) are more common with this treatment compared to natural conception.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): Treatment with Ovidrel may increase your risk of developing OHSS, where ovaries overreact and develop too many follicles. The most common symptom is stomach pain. Your doctor will monitor you closely to prevent this serious condition.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Ovidrel and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking.
- Tell your doctor about any medicines, vitamins or supplements you buy without a prescription
- Check with your doctor if you’re unsure about what medicines might affect Ovidrel
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how Ovidrel affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the prescribing information.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Ovidrel affects you. The medication may cause side effects that could impair your ability to perform these activities safely.
Storage
Store Ovidrel at 2°C to 8°C (refrigerate, do not freeze) in its original container and protect from light. The pre-filled syringe can also be stored for up to 30 days below 25°C in its original container, protected from light. After injecting, discard the syringe even if you haven’t used all the contents. Keep away from children and dispose of unused medicine at any pharmacy.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Ovidrel, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ovidrel is designed to trigger ovulation after other medicines have been used to develop follicles. Your doctor will time the injection precisely based on your follicle development, typically monitored through ultrasound and blood tests.
No, each pre-filled syringe is for single use in one patient only. You must discard the syringe after injection, even if you haven’t used all the contents.
Don’t attempt self-injection until you’re completely sure how to do it. Your doctor or nurse will instruct and assist you in learning the proper technique, and they can also give you the injection if needed.
Timing is critical for Ovidrel to work properly. If you miss your scheduled injection time, contact your doctor or nurse immediately for advice. You must inform your doctor if the injection wasn’t given when directed.
Ovidrel should be stored at 2°C to 8°C (refrigerated). However, it can be stored for up to 30 days below 25°C in its original container, protected from light.
Watch for signs of OHSS including severe abdominal or pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, rapid weight gain, low urine output, and shortness of breath. Also watch for allergic reactions or signs of blood clots. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these.
Yes, multiple pregnancies (especially twins) occur more frequently with fertility treatments like Ovidrel compared to natural conception. In assisted reproductive techniques, the number of babies is related to the number of embryos replaced.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.