Follitropin Alfa: 3 Key Facts + How to Save
Quick Takeaways
- Follitropin alfa is a lab-made copy of FSH, the hormone that grows eggs.
- It is the active ingredient in Gonal-F, a common IVF stimulation medication.
- You take it as a small daily shot under the skin during the stimulation phase.
- Fast IVF offers European brand follitropin alfa at a much lower price than US retail.
Follitropin alfa is the active ingredient in Gonal-F, one of the most used IVF stimulation medications. It is a man-made copy of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), the natural hormone that tells your ovaries to grow eggs. This guide explains what follitropin alfa does, how it is used, and how it stacks up against other FSH medications.
What is follitropin alfa?
Contents
Follitropin alfa is a recombinant form of FSH. “Recombinant” just means it is made in a lab, not pulled from urine like some older medications. Because it is made this way, every dose stays pure and consistent. The most well known brand is Gonal-F, and it works the same as the FSH your body makes on its own.
How does follitropin alfa work in IVF?
In a natural cycle your body usually grows one egg. IVF needs more than that. Follitropin alfa signals your ovaries to grow several follicles at once, and each follicle holds an egg.
You take it as a daily shot under the skin, usually in the belly or thigh, for about 8 to 12 days. Your clinic tracks your progress with blood tests and ultrasounds. Many clinics also pair it with a second medication, this is why you often see Gonal-F and Menopur used together.
Which medications contain follitropin alfa?
Gonal-F is the main brand of follitropin alfa. It comes in prefilled pens at different strengths. Common options include the Gonal-F 300 IU pen, the 450 IU pen, and the 900 IU pen. A higher number simply means more total medication inside the pen, your doctor picks the strength based on your daily dose. You can browse all FSH medications in one place.
How does follitropin alfa compare to other FSH medications?
Follitropin alfa is not the only FSH medication used in IVF. Here is how the three main options line up:
| Medication | Active Ingredient | How It Is Made | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Follitropin alfa | Recombinant FSH | Made in a lab | Gonal-F |
| Follitropin beta | Recombinant FSH | Made in a lab | Puregon, Follistim |
| Urofollitropin | Purified FSH | From urine | Fostimon |
All three do the same basic job, they stimulate the ovaries to grow eggs. The biggest difference is how they are made. Follitropin alfa and the follitropin beta found in Puregon are both recombinant, which means lab-made. Fostimon uses urofollitropin, a highly purified FSH. Many patients respond well to any of them, your clinic chooses based on your protocol and your history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is follitropin alfa the same as Gonal-F?
Follitropin alfa is the active ingredient, and Gonal-F is the brand name that contains it. So when your doctor prescribes Gonal-F, you are getting follitropin alfa. They go hand in hand.
Does follitropin alfa need to be refrigerated?
Gonal-F pens are usually kept in the fridge, though many can sit at room temperature for a short time. Always follow your pen’s label. You can read more about which medications need cold storage in our guide on how to store your medications cold.
How is follitropin alfa given?
It is a shot just under the skin, most often in the belly or upper thigh. The pen makes dosing simple, and the needle is short and thin. Most patients learn to do it at home within a day or two.
Where can I buy follitropin alfa for less?
Fast IVF is an international IVF provider that ships European brand follitropin alfa for far less than US retail. You can request a price by filling out a quick form, no prescription is needed to get a quote.
Is follitropin alfa safe?
It is widely used and well studied. The most common side effects are mild, like headache or some bloating. The U.S. Mayo Clinic offers a helpful overview of follitropin alfa and its use, and your doctor will watch you closely during treatment.
If follitropin alfa is part of your IVF plan, Fast IVF can help you save on it. Get a free quote today and see how much lower your medication cost can be.