Patient experience with follitropin alfa prefilled pen versus previously used injectable gonadotropins for ovulation induction in oligoanovulatory women

Abstract

In this open-label, non-comparative study, patients undergoing OI preferred administering gonadotropins using the follitropin alfa prefilled pen compared to their prior use of vials/ampoules and a syringe. Patients using the prefilled pen found it less stressful, easier to use and more convenient than a conventional syringe and would recommend the pen to another woman considering gonadotropin treatment.

The redesigned follitropin alfa pen injector: results of the patient and nurse human factors usability testing

“…Thus, patients and nurses have to learn how to use several different devices for the administration of treatment. Several reports indicate that patients undergoing infertility treatment find pen injectors simpler and easier to use than other administration methods [3,[7][8][9]19]. Furthermore, the ease of teaching and learning of the redesigned follitropin a pen injector has previously been assessed in 73 women with infertility and 28 specialist nurses [14].…”

“…With the availability of gonadotropin formulations that can be administered subcutaneously, most patients are now able to perform their own injections after training by their healthcare provider. Several publications report that infertile patients find pen injectors simpler and easier to use than other administration methods [3,[7][8][9].…”

Comparison of daily and alternate day recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone stimulation protocols for intrauterine insemination

“…However, opened ampules can be kept overnight in the refrigerator without any detriment to efficacy, although concerns regarding absolute sterility remain. The advent of multidose-pen preparations has made this concern obsolete (18,19).…”

Drug tolerability in assisted reproduction techniques: a longitudinal study

“…Most (414 articles), analyze the long-term safety and adverse effects of gonadotropins. Only 29 articles analyzed the short-term adverse effects of these drugs, focusing mostly on patient [Gibreel and Bhattacharya S 2009;Somkuti et al 2006;Gocial et al 2000] and nurse [Porter et al 2008], satisfaction and administration comfort, as well as with drug convenience [Nahuis et al 2009;Kettel et al 2004;Pang et al 2003;Platteau et al 2003], drug tolerance [Rama et al 2008;Christianson et al 2007], incidence of allergic reactions [Harrison et al 2000;Redfearn et al 1995;Kinoshita et al 1999;Harika et al 1994;Dore et al 1994], and local tolerability [Diedrich 2002;Feigenbaum et al 2001;Alviggi et al 2007;Giles et al 2004;Nichols et al 2001;Engmann et al 1998;Olivennes et al 2000;Van Hooren et al 2001] associated with the drug presentation or means of administration. Only three articles describe the general effects profile [Gillies et al 2000;Banz et al 2002;Goa and Wagstaff 1998].…”