Gonadorelin (Systemic)

Brand name(s): Factrel

Proper Use of This Medicine

If you are having a test done with gonadorelin, one or more samples of your blood will be taken. Then gonadorelin is given by an intravenous (into a vein) or a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. At regular times after the medicine is given, more blood samples will be taken. Then the results of the test will be studied.

Some medicines given by injection or by injection pump may sometimes be given at home to patients who do not need to be in the hospital. If you are using this medicine at home, make sure you clearly understand and carefully follow your doctor's instructions.

For Lutrepulse pump-The Lutrepulse pump is a device containing gonadorelin. It automatically injects the medicine into a vein. The pump will be attached to a belt that is placed around your waist. Tubing from the pump will be taped to your chest, shoulder, and arm, as the tubing goes up your chest to your shoulder and then comes down your arm. A needle will be attached to the end of the tubing. It is inserted into a vein on the inner part of the crook of your elbow. A dressing is used to keep the needle protected. You will need to know how to take care of the equipment and the injection site.

To care for the pump:

• When showering or bathing, remove the belt with the device from your abdomen and any tape attached to your stomach and chest without removing the tape, tubing, or needle from your arm. The device is not water-proof. You will need to hang it outside on the railing of the shower and carefully shower without pulling the needle and tubing from your arm.
• When getting into bed, you must also remove the device from the abdomen as stated above, without removing the tape, tubing, or needle from your arm. Place the device above your pillow, then pin it to your bedsheets so that it does not fall off the bed. This will give you freedom of movement while sleeping.
• Know the warning signals that your pump can produce to alert you to problems, such as low battery, among other messages. Do not try to take the pump apart yourself. Call your health care professional for directions if warning signals sound.

To care for the injection site:

• Inspect the injection site daily. Report to doctor if the skin at the injection site becomes red or swollen, if you experience fever or chills, if the needle comes out of your arm, if blood is seen in the tubing, or if the tubing becomes disconnected from the pump.
• Keep the protective dressing in place over the needle, replacing it if it gets wet or dirty.
• Avoid putting pressure on the needle placed in your arm.
• Carefully keep the tubing taped to your skin to keep it securely in place and to prevent it from kinking.
• The needle should be replaced every 48 hours.

Dosing-

The dose of gonadorelin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders. The following information includes only the average doses of gonadorelin.

• For injection dosage form (for Lutrepulse pump):
  • For treating amenorrhea or infertility in women caused by pituitary or hypothalamus problems:
    • Adults-5 microgram (mcg) injected by the pump into a vein or under the skin slowly over 1 minute, every ninety minutes for twenty-one days. As determined by doctor, dose may be changed slowly, decreased to 1 mcg or increased to 20 mcg if needed.
    • Children up to 18 years of age-Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.

• For injection dosage form (single-dose injection):
  • For testing the hypothalamus and pituitary glands:
    • Adults-0.1 milligram (mg) injected once as a single dose under the skin or into a vein.
    • Children 12 years of age and older-2 micrograms (mcg) per kilogram (kg) (0.9 mcg per pound) of body weight, not to exceed a single dose of 100 mcg, injected once under the skin or into vein.
    • Children up to 12 years of age-Use and dose must be determined by doctor.

Last Revised: 06/29/1998

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