Rekovelle follitropin delta (rhu) (Follitropin Delta)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Rekovelle follitropin delta (rhu) Used For?
Rekovelle is a fertility medication used to help women who are having difficulty getting pregnant. It contains a synthetic version of a natural hormone that helps eggs develop in the ovaries.
Primary Uses
Rekovelle is used to treat infertility in women undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures such as IVF/ET (in vitro fertilisation/embryo transfer) and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection). It helps stimulate the ovaries to grow and develop multiple egg follicles.
How It Works
Rekovelle contains follitropin delta, which is a recombinant form of human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This hormone stimulates the ovaries to grow and develop egg sacs (follicles), from which eggs are collected and fertilised in the laboratory.
Personalized dosing: Your dose is determined specifically for you based on your weight and fertility measurements, with no daily adjustments needed during your treatment cycle.
How to Take Rekovelle follitropin delta (rhu)
Rekovelle is given as a daily injection under the skin of your abdomen using a pre-filled pen. You must be properly trained on how to use the injection pen before starting treatment.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will determine your exact dose based on your weight and fertility test results. You inject Rekovelle once daily under the skin of your abdomen, using a different area each time. Treatment typically lasts an average of 9 days but can range from 5 to 20 days. Your first injection must be supervised by a trained healthcare practitioner. Available in 12, 36, and 72 microgram pre-filled pens.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget an injection or are not sure what to do, contact your doctor or nurse immediately for advice. Do not inject a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Important: Never inject a double dose to make up for a missed injection. Always contact your doctor for guidance if you miss a dose.
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:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Pelvic discomfort or pain
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Abdominal discomfort
- Vaginal bleeding
- Breast complaints
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reactions (rash, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, difficulty breathing)
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) – stomach pain/swelling, pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, decreased urination
- Blood clots (thromboembolism)
- Twisting of ovaries (ovarian torsion) – sudden severe lower abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Rekovelle should not be used or requires special caution. Always discuss your complete medical history with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Rekovelle follitropin delta (rhu)
Do not use Rekovelle if you: are allergic to follitropin delta or any ingredients; are pregnant or breastfeeding; have cancer of the uterus, ovaries, or breast; have a tumor of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus; have enlarged ovaries or cysts not caused by PCOS; have unexplained vaginal bleeding; have ovarian failure; have malformations of sexual organs that make normal pregnancy impossible; have fibroids or tumors of the uterus that make normal pregnancy impossible.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: thyroid problems; high prolactin levels; blood clots, history of blood clots, or conditions that increase clot risk; polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS); fallopian tube disease. Your doctor will assess both you and your partner’s fertility and may treat other medical conditions before starting Rekovelle.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not use Rekovelle if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It may affect your developing baby. Contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while using Rekovelle. There may be increased risks of ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy loss, multiple pregnancies, and birth defects with assisted reproductive technologies.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome: Watch for severe abdominal pain, swelling, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, breathing difficulty, or decreased urination – these may indicate OHSS requiring urgent hospital treatment.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking, including those bought without prescription from pharmacies, supermarkets, or health food shops.
- Some medicines may interfere with Rekovelle and affect how it works
- Check with your doctor or pharmacist about all medications you are taking
Alcohol & Driving
Rekovelle should not normally interfere with your ability to drive or operate machinery, but be cautious until you know how it affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned in the prescribing information. However, discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor during fertility treatment.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Rekovelle should not normally interfere with your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Rekovelle affects you.
Storage
Store Rekovelle in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C – do not freeze. Always store the pre-filled pen in the original package with the cap on to protect from light. After opening, the pen can be stored at or below 25°C for up to 28 days. The unopened pen may be removed from refrigerator and stored at or below 25°C for up to 3 months. Keep out of reach of children. Discard after 28 days of opening or after expiry date.
Overdose Information
Too much Rekovelle may cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which can be life-threatening without proper hospital treatment. Symptoms include abdominal pain, swelling, nausea, and vomiting. If you think you have used too much Rekovelle, immediately call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Treatment with Rekovelle typically lasts an average of 9 days, but can range from 5 to 20 days depending on how your ovaries respond. Your doctor will monitor you with ultrasound and possibly blood tests to determine when enough follicles have developed.
You can self-inject Rekovelle, but only after you have been properly educated on how to use the injection pen and perform injections. Your first injection must be supervised by a trained healthcare practitioner, and you should not self-inject until you are sure of how to do it.
Severe abdominal pain, especially with swelling, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, breathing difficulty, or decreased urination may indicate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) or ovarian torsion. Contact your doctor immediately or go to the emergency department, as these conditions require urgent medical attention.
Store unopened Rekovelle pens in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C with the cap on to protect from light. After opening, you can store the pen at room temperature (at or below 25°C) for up to 28 days. Never freeze the medication.
Stop using Rekovelle and contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant during treatment. Rekovelle may affect your developing baby and should not be used during pregnancy.
Yes, assisted reproductive technologies may carry slightly increased risks including ectopic pregnancy (especially if you have a history of tubal disease), pregnancy loss, multiple pregnancies, and birth defects. Your doctor will monitor your treatment carefully to minimize these risks.
No, never reuse injection needles. After each injection, discard the used needle into an approved, puncture-resistant sharps container and keep it out of reach of children. Never put used needles in your normal household rubbish bin.
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.