Key to symbols
The medicine should be initiated by, or on the advice of a specialist, but is suitable for continuation by a GP
The medicine should only be used and prescribed by a specialist
Indicates the preferred choice within a class or group of medicines
6. Endocrine system
6.5. Hypothalamic and pituitary hormones and anti-oestrogens
6.5.1. Hypothalamic and anterior pituitary hormones and anti-oestrogens
Preferred List
Total Formulary
FOLLITROPIN ALFA
Restrictions:
Restricted to specialist use for the indications listed in the Prescribing Notes section below:
Prescribing Notes:
In adult women for:
- anovulation (including polycystic ovarian syndrome) in women who have been unresponsive to treatment with clomifene citrate.
- stimulation of multi-follicular development in women undergoing superovulation for assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), gamete intrafallopian transfer and zygote intra-fallopian transfer.
- in association with a luteinising hormone (LH) preparation for the stimulation of follicular development in women with severe LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) deficiency. In clinical trials these patients were defined by an endogenous serum LH level <1.2 units/L.
In adult men for the stimulation of spermatogenesis in men who have congenital or acquired hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism with concomitant human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) therapy.
The BNF recommends that is is good practice to prescribe biosimilars by brand name.