Ovidrel Pen (Choriogonadotropin Alfa (Rch))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Ovidrel Pen Used For?
Ovidrel Pen 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 like in vitro fertilization (IVF). It’s also used for women who don’t produce eggs (anovulation) or produce too few eggs (oligo-ovulation) to trigger the release of eggs after other medicines have been used to develop follicles.
How It Works
Ovidrel works as a hormone that triggers ovulation (the release of eggs) after your follicles have been stimulated and developed with other fertility medications.
Good to know: Each pre-filled pen is designed for single use in one patient only, ensuring sterility and proper dosing.
How to Take Ovidrel Pen
Ovidrel is given as a single injection under your skin, usually near your stomach area. Your doctor will teach you the proper injection technique.
Dosage Instructions
The dose is one pre-filled pen (250 microgram in 0.5 mL) given as a single injection under the skin after your follicles have been stimulated with other medicines. Your doctor will tell you exactly when to inject Ovidrel – 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 fertility treatment success.
Important: Do not attempt to inject yourself until you are completely sure of how to do it. Follow the Instructions for Use provided in the pack and get proper training from your healthcare team.
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
- Severe OHSS: severe lower abdominal pain, severe pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea followed by rapid weight gain, low urine output, shortness of breath
- 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 Pen
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, tumors of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, ovarian enlargement or large cysts, cancer of ovaries/uterus/breasts, fibroid tumors making pregnancy impossible, have been through menopause, have active blood clot disorders, or unexplained vaginal/uterine bleeding.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have, all medicines you take, and if you or your family have increased risk of blood clots, strokes, or heart attacks. Your doctor will assess both you and your partner’s fertility and may need to treat other conditions before starting Ovidrel.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Treatment increases the chance of multiple pregnancies (mostly twins). 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.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome: Ovidrel may increase your risk of developing OHSS, where ovaries overreact and develop too many follicles. Your doctor will monitor you with ultrasounds and blood tests to prevent this serious condition.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Ovidrel and affect how it works. Always tell your healthcare providers about all medications you’re taking.
- Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, or supplements you take
- Check with your doctor if you’re unsure about any medications affecting Ovidrel
- Inform any new doctors that you are using Ovidrel
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how Ovidrel affects you.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Ovidrel affects you. The medication may cause side effects that could impair your ability to drive safely.
Storage
Store Ovidrel at 2°C to 8°C (refrigerate, do not freeze) in its original container and protect from light. Before use and within its shelf life, the pre-filled pen can also be stored below 25°C for up to 28 days in its original container, protected from light. It must be discarded if not used after these 28 days. Keep away from children and do not store in bathrooms, cars, or on window sills.
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 in Australia or 0800 764 766 in New Zealand), 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 your follicles have been properly stimulated with other fertility medications. Your doctor will time the injection precisely based on your follicle development.
No, each pre-filled pen is for single use in one patient only. You must discard the pen 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 teach you the proper technique and can also give you the injection if needed.
Store it in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C in its original container, protected from light. You can also store it below 25°C for up to 28 days, but it must be discarded after that time if unused.
Severe OHSS symptoms include severe lower abdominal pain, severe pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea followed by rapid weight gain, low urine output, and shortness of breath. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms.
Yes, fertility treatments including Ovidrel increase the frequency of multiple pregnancies and births compared to natural conception. The majority of these are twins.
Contact your doctor or nurse immediately for advice. Timing is critical for fertility treatment success, so you must inform your doctor if the injection wasn’t given when directed.
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.