Description

Menotropin (also known as human menopausal gonadotropin, hMG) is a fertility medication that is a mixture of follicle‑stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). It is used to stimulate ovarian follicle development in women, to induce ovulation, and can also be used for male infertility in certain hormonal deficiency states.

 Prescription

• Prescription‑only medication. It must be prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional.

 Therapeutic Category

• Reproductive / infertility treatment

• Hormonal therapy (gonadotropin class)

Active Ingredients / Composition

• Menotropin (human menopausal gonadotropin, hMG) – a combination of FSH + LH activity.

Variant

• Usually available in 150 IU strength (lyophilized powder for injection) though there are also 75 IU variants.

• Variants differ by brand and purity (some are “highly purified menotropin”) and by whether there is a separate diluent.

Consume Type

• Parenteral administration: injection. Specifically either intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC). The product is reconstituted (powder + solvent) before injection.

Directions / Usage

• Use under supervision of fertility specialist or endocrinologist.

• The dose and schedule depend on what it’s being used for (e.g. ovulation induction, IVF, male infertility). Often given daily or several times per week.

• Treatment continues until adequate follicular development (for women), then sometimes a trigger injection (e.g. hCG) is given to induce ovulation.

• In males, given over a longer duration to stimulate spermatogenesis.

Common Side Effects

Some of the reported / possible side effects include:

• Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)

• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) — risk especially in women undergoing fertility treatment. Symptoms: abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, fluid retention.

• Multiple pregnancies (twins or more) due to multiple follicles being stimulated.

• Bloating, abdominal discomfort or pain

• Headache, nausea, vomiting, restlessness

• Rare: allergic reactions, ovarian enlargement, possibly increased risk of thromboembolism in some contexts.

Package Type

• Usually comes as a vial of lyophilized (freeze‑dried) powder plus a separate vial or ampoule of solvent / diluent (e.g. sterile saline) for reconstitution.

• Pack size: commonly single‑vial packs. Some brands may include multiple vials in a box.

Storage Advice

• Store in refrigerator, about 2‑8 °C. Do not freeze.

• Protect from light. Keep lyophilized powder in original vial until reconstituted. Once reconstituted, use promptly as per manufacturer instructions.

Safety Advice

• Use only under medical supervision. Do not self‑medicate.

• Not to be used if pregnant or suspected pregnancy. Risk to fetus.

• Avoid in presence of ovarian cysts or enlarged ovaries of unknown cause.

• Monitor for signs of OHSS. Adjust dosage if risk high.

• Contraindicated or used with caution in hormone‑sensitive cancers (breast, ovarian, uterine) or pituitary/hypothalamic tumor.

• Pay attention to possible allergic reactions.

Product Substitutes

• Different brands of menotropin / hMG injections. Examples from sources: Puregraf 150 IU, Humog HP 150 IU, Neo HMG 150 IU, Menotas 150 IU.

• Alternative fertility treatments may include other gonadotropins (e.g. recombinant FSH), depending on protocols. Substitution must be managed by fertility doctors.