Navigation

Gonal-F vs. Follistim AQ

Are Gonal-F and Follistim AQ the Same Thing?

Gonal-F (follitropin alfa) and Follistim AQ (follitropin beta injection) are follicle-stimulating hormones (FSHs) used to treat infertility in women. Gonal-F and Follistim AQ are also used to stimulate the development of multiple eggs for in vitro fertilization. Gonal-F and Follistim AQ can be used by men to increase the production of sperm.

Side effects of Gonal-F and Follistim AQ that are similar include headache, nausea, stomach/abdominal pain, pelvic pain or tenderness, bloating, injection site reactions (redness, pain, bruising, irritation), breast swelling/tenderness/pain, numbness or tingly feeling, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, acne, or skin rash.

Side effects of Follistim AQ that are different from Gonal-F include dizziness.

Both Gonal-F and Follistim AQ may interact with other drugs.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Gonal-F?

Common side effects of Gonal-F include:

  • headache,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • mild stomach/abdominal pain,
  • pelvic pain or tenderness,
  • bloating,
  • injection site reactions (redness, pain, bruising, irritation),
  • breast swelling/tenderness/pain,
  • numbness or tingly feeling,
  • runny or stuffy nose,
  • sore throat,
  • acne, or
  • skin rash.

Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Gonal-F including:

  • unusual bleeding from the vagina/uterus,
  • pain/redness/swelling of the calf muscles,
  • cold/numb/pale skin of the arms/legs/hands/feet, or
  • swelling of ankles/hands/feet.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Follistim AQ?

Common side effects of Follistim AQ include:

  • headache,
  • stomach pain,
  • bloating,
  • nausea,
  • injection site reactions (redness, pain, bruising, or irritation),
  • breast tenderness or pain or swelling,
  • dizziness,
  • numbness or tingly feeling,
  • pelvic pain/discomfort or tenderness,
  • runny or stuffy nose,
  • sore throat,
  • acne, or
  • skin rash

What Is Gonal-F?

Gonal-F (follitropin alfa) Injection is a naturally occurring hormone used to stimulate a follicle (egg) to develop and mature. Gonal-F is used when a woman desires pregnancy and her ovaries can produce a follicle but hormonal stimulation is not sufficient to make the follicle mature. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is also used to stimulate the development of multiple eggs for in vitro fertilization. FSH can be used by men to increase the production of sperm.

What Is Follistim AQ

Follistim AQ (follitropin beta injection) contains follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), a naturally occurring hormone and is used to stimulate a follicle (egg) to develop and mature. Follistim AQ is used when a woman desires pregnancy and her ovaries can produce a follicle but hormonal stimulation is not sufficient to make the follicle mature. Follistim AQ is also used to stimulate the development of multiple eggs for in vitro fertilization, and can be used by men to increase the production of sperm.

What Drugs Interact With Gonal-F?

It is not known if other medications will interact with Gonal-F. Tell doctor all prescription or over-the-counter medicines and supplements you use. Gonal-F must not be used during pregnancy. Stop using Gonal-F when you become pregnant. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of possible harm to a nursing infant, consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

What Drugs Interact With Follistim AQ?

It is unknown if other medications will interact with Follistim AQ. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Stop using Follistim AQ when you become pregnant. This medication must not be used during pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible harm to a nursing infant, consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

How Should Gonal-F Be Taken?

The recommended starting dose of Gonal-F Tablets is 30 mg (given as a single 30 mg tablet or as 1/2 of a 60 mg tablet) or 60 mg (given as a single tablet) once daily. After several days, the dosage may be increased to 120 mg (given as a single 120 mg tablet or as two 60 mg tablets) once daily.

How Should Follistim AQ Be Taken?

A starting dose of 150 to 225 IU of Follistim AQ is recommended for at least the first four days of treatment. After this, the dose may be adjusted for the individual patient based upon their ovarian response.

Disclaimer

All drug information provided on RxList.com is sourced directly from drug monographs published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Any drug information published on RxList.com regarding general drug information, drug side effects, drug usage, dosage, and more are sourced from the original drug documentation found in its FDA drug monograph.

Drug information found in the drug comparisons published on RxList.com is primarily sourced from the FDA drug information. The drug comparison information found in this article does not contain any data from clinical trials with human participants or animals performed by any of the drug manufacturers comparing the drugs.

The drug comparisons information provided does not cover every potential use, warning, drug interaction, side effect, or adverse or allergic reaction. RxList.com assumes no responsibility for any healthcare administered to a person based on the information found on this site.

As drug information can and will change at any time, RxList.com makes every effort to update its drug information. Due to the time-sensitive nature of drug information, RxList.com makes no guarantees that the information provided is the most current.

Any missing drug warnings or information does not in any way guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or the lack of adverse effects of any drug. The drug information provided is intended for reference only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.

If you have specific questions regarding a drug’s safety, side effects, usage, warnings, etc., you should contact your doctor or pharmacist, or refer to the individual drug monograph details found on the FDA.gov or RxList.com websites for more information.

You may also report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by visiting the FDA MedWatch website or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.