WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS
MENOPUR® should only be used by physicians who are
experienced in infertility treatment. MENOPUR® contains gonadotropic substances
capable of causing in women, Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) with or
without pulmonary or vascular complications [see Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) and Pulmonary and Vascular Complications]
and multiple births [see Multi-fetal Gestation and Birth]. Gonadotropin therapy
requires the availability of appropriate monitoring facilities [see Laboratory Tests]. Use the lowest effective dose.
Abnormal Ovarian Enlargement
In order to minimize the hazards associated with abnormal
ovarian enlargement that may occur with MENOPUR® therapy, treatment should be
individualized and the lowest effective dose should be used [see DOSAGE AND
ADMINISTRATION]. Use of ultrasound monitoring of ovarian response
and/or measurement of serum estradiol levels is important to minimize the risk
of ovarian stimulation [see Laboratory Tests].
If the ovaries are abnormally enlarged on the last day of
MENOPUR® therapy, hCG should not be administered in order to reduce the chance
of developing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) [see Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)]. Prohibit intercourse in women with significant ovarian enlargement
because of the danger of hemoperitoneum resulting from rupture of ovarian cysts
[see Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)].
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
OHSS is a medical event distinct from uncomplicated
ovarian enlargement and may progress rapidly to become a serious medical event.
OHSS is characterized by a dramatic increase in vascular permeability, which
can result in a rapid accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, thorax,
and potentially, the pericardium. The early warning signs of development of
OHSS are severe pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight gain. Abdominal pain,
abdominal distension, gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting and
diarrhea, severe ovarian enlargement, weight gain, dyspnea, and oliguria have
been reported with OHSS. Clinical evaluation may reveal hypovolemia,
hemoconcentration, electrolyte imbalances, ascites, hemoperitoneum, pleural
effusion, hydrothorax, acute pulmonary distress, and thromboembolic reactions [see
Pulmonary and Vascular Complications]. Transient liver function test abnormalities
suggestive of hepatic dysfunction, with or without morphologic changes on liver
biopsy, have been reported in association with OHSS.
OHSS occurs after gonadotropin treatment has been
discontinued and it can develop rapidly, reaching its maximum about seven to
ten days following treatment. Usually, OHSS resolves spontaneously with the onset
of menses. If there is evidence that OHSS may be developing prior to hCG
administration [see Abnormal Ovarian Enlargement], 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 two weeks after hCG administration.
If serious OHSS occurs, gonadotropins, including hCG,
should be stopped and consideration should be given as to whether the woman
needs to be hospitalized. Treatment is primarily symptomatic and overall should
consist of bed rest, fluid and electrolyte management, and analgesics (if
needed). Because the use of diuretics can accentuate the diminished
intravascular volume, diuretics should be avoided except in the late phase of
resolution as described below. The management of OHSS may be divided into three
phases as follows:
- Acute Phase:
Management should be directed at preventing hemoconcentration due to loss of
intravascular volume to the third space and minimizing the risk of
thromboembolic phenomena and kidney damage. Fluid intake and output, weight,
hematocrit, serum and urinary electrolytes, urine specific gravity, BUN and
creatinine, total proteins with albumin: globulin ratio, coagulation studies,
electrocardiogram to monitor for hyperkalemia, and abdominal girth should be
thoroughly assessed daily or more often based on the clinical need. Treatment,
consisting of limited intravenous fluids, electrolytes, human serum albumin, is
intended to normalize electrolytes while maintaining an acceptable but somewhat
reduced intravascular volume. Full correction of the intravascular volume
deficit may lead to an unacceptable increase in the amount of third space fluid
accumulation.
- Chronic Phase:
After the acute phase is successfully managed as above, excessive fluid
accumulation in the third space should be limited by instituting severe
potassium, sodium, and fluid restriction.
- Resolution Phase:
As third space fluid returns to the intravascular compartment, a fall in
hematocrit and increasing urinary output are observed in the absence of any
increase in intake. Peripheral and/or pulmonary edema may result if the kidneys
are unable to excrete third space fluid as rapidly as it is mobilized. Diuretics
may be indicated during the resolution phase, if necessary, to combat pulmonary
edema.
Do not remove ascitic, pleural, and pericardial fluid
unless there is the necessity to relieve symptoms such as pulmonary distress or
cardiac tamponade.
OHSS increases the risk of injury to the ovary. Pelvic
examination or intercourse may cause rupture of an ovarian cyst, which may
result in hemoperitoneum, and should be avoided.
If bleeding occurs and requires surgical intervention,
the clinical objective should be to control the bleeding and retain as much
ovarian tissue as possible. A physician experienced in the management of this
syndrome, or who is experienced in the management of fluid and electrolyte
imbalances, should be consulted.
In the IVF clinical trial for MENOPUR®, OHSS occurred in
7.2% of the 373 MENOPUR® treated women.
Pulmonary And Vascular Complications
Serious pulmonary conditions (e.g. atelectasis, acute
respiratory distress syndrome and exacerbation of asthma) have been reported in
women treated with gonadotropins. In addition, thromboembolic events both in
association with, and separate from the Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
(OHSS) have been reported in women treated with gonadotropins. Intravascular
thrombosis and embolism, which may originate in venous or arterial vessels, can
result in reduced blood flow to critical organs or the extremities. Women with
generally recognized risk factors for thrombosis, such as 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 infarctions. In rare cases, pulmonary complications and/or
thromboembolic reactions have resulted in death. In women with recognized risk
factors, the benefits of ovulation induction and assisted reproductive technology
need to be weighed against the risks. Pregnancy also carries an increased risk
of thrombosis.
Ovarian Torsion
Ovarian torsion has been reported after treatment with
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.
Multi-fetal Gestation And Birth
Multi-fetal gestation and births have been reported with
all gonadotropin therapy including therapy with MENOPUR®.
In the IVF clinical trial of MENOPUR®, multiple pregnancy
as diagnosed by ultrasound occurred in 35.3% (n=30) of 85 total pregnancies.
Before beginning treatment with MENOPUR®, advise the
woman and her partner of the potential risk of multi-fetal gestation and birth.
Congenital Malformations
The incidence of congenital malformations after some ART
[specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection
(ICSI)] may be slightly higher than after spontaneous conception. This slightly
higher incidence is thought to be related to differences in parental
characteristics (e.g., maternal age, maternal and paternal genetic background,
sperm characteristics) and to the higher incidence of multi-fetal 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 ART often have tubal
abnormalities, the incidence of ectopic pregnancy may be increased. Early
confirmation of intrauterine pregnancy should be determined by •- hCG
testing and transvaginal ultrasound.
Spontaneous Abortion
The risk of spontaneous abortion (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 had multiple drug therapy for
controlled ovarian stimulation; however, a causal relationship has not been
established.
Laboratory Tests
In most instances, treatment of women with MENOPUR® will
result only in follicular growth and maturation. In the absence of an
endogenous LH surge, hCG is given when monitoring of the woman indicates that
sufficient follicular development has occurred. This may be estimated by
ultrasound alone or in combination with measurement of serum estradiol levels.
The combination of both ultrasound and serum estradiol measurement are useful
for monitoring follicular growth and maturation, timing of the ovulatory
trigger, detecting ovarian enlargement and minimizing the risk of the OHSS and
multiple gestation.
The clinical confirmation of ovulation is obtained by
direct or indirect indices of progesterone production as well as sonographic
evidence of ovulation.
Direct Or Indirect Indices Of Progesterone Production
- Urinary or serum luteinizing hormone (LH) rise
- A rise in basal body temperature
- Increase in serum progesterone
- Menstruation following the shift in basal body
temperature
Sonographic Evidence of Ovulation
- Collapsed follicle
- Fluid in the cul-de-sac
- Features consistent with corpus luteum formation
- Secretory endometrium
Patient Counseling Information
See FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION and Instructions for Use).
Dosing And Use
Instruct women on the correct usage and dosing of MENOPUR®
[see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Caution women not to change the dosage
or the schedule of administration unless she is told to do so by her healthcare
provider.
Duration And Monitoring Required
Prior to beginning therapy with MENOPUR®, inform women
about the time commitment and monitoring procedures necessary for treatment [see
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Instructions Regarding A Missed Dose
Inform the woman that if she misses or forgets to take a
dose of MENOPUR®, the next dose should not be doubled and she should call her
healthcare provider for further dosing instructions.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
Inform women regarding the risks of OHSS [see WARNINGS
AND PRECAUTIONS] and OHSS-associated symptoms including lung and blood
vessel problems [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS] and ovarian torsion [see WARNINGS
AND PRECAUTIONS] with the use of MENOPUR .
Multi-fetal Gestation And Birth
Inform women regarding the risk of multi-fetal gestation
and birth with the use of MENOPUR [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
Vials of sterile diluent of 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Injection, USP manufactured for Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Long-term toxicity studies in animals have not been
performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of menotropins.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects
Pregnancy Category X [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
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 Menopur®, 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.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not
been established.
Renal and Hepatic Insufficiency
Safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of MENOPUR in
women with renal or hepatic insufficiency have not been established.