Follistim® AQ Vial

This section is for patients using Follistim® AQ packaged in a single use vial, which should not be confused with Follistim® AQ Cartridge for use with Follistim Pen®.

If your physician prescribed Follistim® AQ Cartridge (follitropin beta injection), please see the Patient information for Follistim® AQ Cartridge and read the Follistim® AQ Cartridge section of this site before continuing.

Follistim AQ® is given by injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) or into a muscle (intramuscular injection). Your healthcare provider will teach you how to inject yourself. See Giving yourself the injection for more information. Do not inject Follistim® AQ at home until your healthcare provider has taught you the right way.

General information about Follistim® AQ

Follistim® AQ is a recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (recombinant FSH) available in a pre-mixed aqueous solution. The active ingredient in Follistim® AQ Vial/Cartridge is follitropin beta, a highly effective and widely used prescription fertility medication made with state of the art recombinant DNA technology. This hormone is identical to the FSH produced by the pituitary gland and belongs to the group of gonadotropins, which play an important role in human fertility and reproduction.

FSH is needed in women for the growth and development of follicles in the ovaries. Follicles are small round sacs that contain the egg cells. FSH stimulates the ovaries to produce mature eggs. Follistim® AQ is used for the development of eggs in women who have problems with ovulation and who are undergoing Ovulation Induction treatment. Some women will also be using this medicine for the development of more eggs when participating in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program, such as in vitro fertilization.

Ingredients in Follistim® AQ

Follistim® AQ contains the active ingredient follitropin beta. Inactive ingredients include sucrose, sodium citrate, L-methionine, polysorbate 20, water for injection, hydrochloric acid, and/or sodium hydroxide.

Storing Follistim® AQ

Store refrigerated, 2-8° C (36-46° F) until dispensed. Upon dispensing, the product may be stored by the patient at 2-8°C (36-46°F) until the expiration date, or at or below 25°C (77°F) for 3 months or until expiration date, whichever occurs first. Protect from light, keep container in carton. Do not freeze

If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. Be sure to discuss any questions you may have before beginning treatment. For more detail on information contained in this site call 1-866-836-5633.

Safety information:

- Follistim® AQ Vial, like all gonadotropins, is a potent substance capable of causing mild to severe side effects including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), with or without pulmonary or vascular complications.

- Follistim® AQ Vial should be prescribed only by physicians who are experienced in infertility treatment. Physicians should advise their patients of treatment risks, including OHSS and multiple births.

- Always follow your doctor’s dosing instructions when administering Follistim® AQ. Your doctor has individualized the dose to be administered based on your medical history. Do not change your dose unless instructed by your doctor.

Please see accompanying Physician Prescribing Information.