FOLLISTIM® AQ Cartridge

(follitropin beta injection)

Efficacy

Proven efficacy in IVF/ICSI clinical trial

In a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study healthy, normal ovulatory women were treated for 1 cycle of controlled ovarian stimulation with FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge in a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol as part of an IVH or ICSI program. Clinical pregnancy was assessed ≥6 weeks after transfer of 1 or 2 embryos. No luteinizing-hormone (LH) supplementation used.1

  • North American clinical pregnancy rate of 48.9% (n=403).
  • Overall clinical pregnancy rate in the FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge group of 41.1% (n=750).

Study treatment protocol1

Follistim-ivf_icsi_chart

(a) Dosage adjustments of FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge could be considered from the 6th day of treatment onward according to individual response.1

Study design

The ENGAGE trial was a single-cycle, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trial. Clinical pregnancy was assessed ≥6 weeks after transfer of 1 or 2 embryos. The study included 1,509 IVF patients in 34 centers in Europe, Canada, and the United States. 750 patients were treated with FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge—approximately 54% of patients (n=403) treated at 14 study sites in North America. Patients were treated for 1 cycle of controlled ovarian stimulation with FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge in a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol as part of an IVF or ICSI program. No luteinizing-hormone (LH) supplementation was used.1

Reference

1. Devroey P, Boostanfar R, Koper NP, et al; BCJM; ENGAGE Investigators. A double-blind, non-inferiority RCT comparing corifollitropin alfa and recombinant FSH during the first seven days of ovarian stimulation using a GnRH antagonist protocol. Hum Reprod. 2009;24(12):3063-3072.

Indication

FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge is indicated for pregnancy in normal ovulatory women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation as part of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle.

Prior to initiation of treatment with FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge:

  • Women should have a complete gynecologic and endocrinologic evaluation and diagnosis of the cause of infertility.
  • The possibility of pregnancy should be excluded.
  • The fertility status of the male partner should be evaluated.

Selected Safety Information

CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge is contraindicated in women who exhibit any of the following: prior hypersensitivity to recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (hFSH) products; high levels of FSH indicating primary gonadal failure; presence of uncontrolled non-gonadal endocrinopathies (eg, thyroid, adrenal, or pituitary disorders); hypersensitivity reactions to streptomycin or neomycin (FOLLISTIM AQ may contain traces of these antibiotics.); tumors of the ovary, breast, uterus, hypothalamus, or pituitary gland; pregnancy; heavy or irregular vaginal bleeding of undetermined origin; or ovarian cysts or enlargement not due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge should be prescribed only by physicians who are experienced in infertility treatment. FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge contains a potent gonadotropic substance capable of causing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) with or without pulmonary or vascular complications and multiple births. Gonadotropin therapy requires the availability of appropriate monitoring facilities.

Abnormal ovarian enlargement

  • In order to minimize the hazards associated with abnormal ovarian enlargement that may occur with FOLLISTIM AQ therapy, treatment should be individualized and the lowest effective dose should be used.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

  • OHSS is a medical entity distinct from uncomplicated ovarian enlargement and may progress rapidly to become a serious medical condition. OHSS occurs after gonadotropin treatment has been discontinued, and it can develop rapidly, reaching its maximum about 7 to 10 days following treatment. Usually, OHSS resolves spontaneously with the onset of menses. If there is a risk for OHSS evident prior to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration, the hCG must be withheld. Cases of OHSS are more common, more severe, and more protracted if pregnancy occurs; therefore, women should be assessed for the development of OHSS for at least 2 weeks after hCG administration. If serious OHSS occurs, gonadotropins, including hCG, should be stopped and consideration should be given as to whether the patient needs to be hospitalized. During clinical trials with FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge therapy, OHSS occurred in 6.4% of 751 women undergoing IVF or ICSI who were treated with FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge.

Pulmonary and vascular complications

  • Serious pulmonary conditions (eg, atelectasis, acute respiratory distress syndrome) have been reported in women treated with gonadotropins. In addition, thromboembolic reactions, both in association with and separate from OHSS, have been reported following gonadotropin therapy. Women with generally recognized risk factors for thrombosis, such as a personal or family history, severe obesity, or thrombophilia, may have an increased risk of venous or arterial thromboembolic events during or following treatment with gonadotropins. Sequelae of such reactions have included venous thrombophlebitis, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary infarction, cerebral vascular occlusion (stroke), and arterial occlusion resulting in loss of limb, and rarely, in myocardial infarction. In rare cases, pulmonary complications and/or thromboembolic reactions have resulted in death. In women with recognized risk factors, the benefits of IVF or ICSI need to be weighed against the risks. It should be noted that pregnancy itself also carries an increased risk of thrombosis.

Ovarian torsion

  • Ovarian torsion has been reported after treatment with FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge and after intervention with other gonadotropins. This may be related to OHSS, pregnancy, previous abdominal surgery, past history of ovarian torsion, previous or current ovarian cyst, and polycystic ovaries. Damage to the ovary due to reduced blood supply can be limited by early diagnosis and immediate detorsion.

Multifetal gestation and births

  • Multifetal gestation and births have been reported with all gonadotropin treatments including treatment with FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge. The woman and her partner should be advised of the potential risk of multifetal gestation and births before starting treatment.

Congenital anomalies

  • The incidence of congenital malformations after IVF or ICSI may be slightly higher than after spontaneous conception. This slightly higher incidence is thought to be related to differences in parental characteristics (eg, maternal age, sperm characteristics) and to the higher incidence of multifetal gestations after IVF or ICSI. There are no indications that the use of gonadotropins during IVF or ICSI is associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations.

Ectopic pregnancy

  • Since infertile women undergoing IVF and ICSI often have tubal abnormalities, the incidence of ectopic pregnancies might be increased. Early confirmation of an intrauterine pregnancy should be determined by β-hCG testing and transvaginal ultrasound.

Spontaneous abortion

  • The risk of spontaneous abortions (miscarriage) is increased with gonadotropin products; however, causality has not been established. The increased risk may be a factor of the underlying infertility.

Ovarian neoplasms

  • There have been infrequent reports of ovarian neoplasms, both benign and malignant, in women who have undergone multiple drug regimens for controlled ovarian stimulation; however, a causal relationship has not been established.

Laboratory tests – for women

  • In most instances, treatment with FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge will result only in follicular growth and maturation. In order to complete the final phase of follicular maturation and to induce ovulation, hCG must be given following the administration of FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge or when clinical assessment indicates that sufficient follicular maturation has occurred. The degree of follicular maturation and the timing of hCG administration can both be determined with the use of sonographic visualization of the ovaries and endometrial lining in conjunction with measurement of serum estradiol levels. The combination of transvaginal ultrasonography and measurement of serum estradiol levels is also useful for minimizing the risk of OHSS and multifetal gestations.

FOLLISTIM Pen

  • The FOLLISTIM Pen is intended only for use with FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge. The FOLLISTIM Pen is not recommended for the blind or visually impaired without the assistance of an individual with good vision who is trained in the proper use of the injection device.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

  • Adverse reactions occurring in ≥2% of patients in a clinical trial undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation as part of an IVF or ICSI cycle with FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge included: headache (7.3%), nausea (3.9%), OHSS (6.4%), pelvic discomfort (8.3%), pelvic pain (5.5%), and fatigue (2.3%).

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Nursing mothers

  • It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the nursing infant from FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

  • Prior to beginning therapy, inform women about the time commitment and monitoring procedures necessary to undergo treatment. Also inform women that if they miss or forget to take a dose of FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge, the next dose should not be doubled and they should call the health care provider for further instruction.

Before prescribing FOLLISTIM AQ Cartridge, please read the accompanying Prescribing Information. The Patient Information also is available.

Copyright © 2018 Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved.

WOMN-1012967-000803/18