Get your patient on Menopur - Menotropins (Menotropins)

Development of Multiple Follicles and Pregnancy in Ovulatory Women as Part of an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Cycle

Prior to initiation of treatment with MENOPUR ^® (menotropins for injection):

• Perform a complete gynecologic and endocrinologic evaluation, and diagnose the cause of infertility
• Exclude the possibility of pregnancy
• Evaluate the fertility status of the male partner
• Exclude a diagnosis of primary ovarian failure

• Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
• Administer MENOPUR subcutaneously in the abdomen as described in Instructions for Use.
• MENOPUR may be administered together with BRAVELLE ^® (urofollitropin for injection, purified).

The recommended dosing scheme for patients undergoing IVF follows a stepwise approach and is individualized for each woman. The recommended initial dose of MENOPUR for women who have received a GnRH agonist for pituitary suppression is 225 International Units. MENOPUR may be administered together with BRAVELLE and the total initial dose when the products are combined should not exceed 225 International Units (150 International Units of MENOPUR and 75 International Units of BRAVELLE or 75 International Units of MENOPUR and 150 International Units of BRAVELLE).

• Beginning on cycle day 2 or 3, a starting dose of 225 International Units of MENOPUR is administered subcutaneously daily. Adjust the dose after 5 days based on the woman's ovarian response, as determined by ultrasound evaluation of follicular growth and serum estradiol levels.
• Do not make additional dosage adjustments more frequently than every 2 days or by more than 150 International Units at each adjustment.
• Continue treatment until adequate follicular development is evident, and then administer hCG. Withhold the administration of hCG in cases where the ovarian monitoring suggests an increased risk of OHSS on the last day of MENOPUR therapy [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.2 , 5.10) ].
• Do not administer daily doses of MENOPUR or MENOPUR in combination with BRAVELLE that exceed 450 International Units .
• Therapy should not exceed 20 days.

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.

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of MENOPUR in women with renal or hepatic insufficiency have not been established.

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 (2.2) ] . Use of ultrasound monitoring of ovarian response and/or measurement of serum estradiol levels is important to minimize the risk of ovarian stimulation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] .

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 Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Prohibit intercourse in women with significant ovarian enlargement because of the danger of hemoperitoneum resulting from rupture of ovarian cysts [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] .

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 Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. 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 Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] , 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.

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 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 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.

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.

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 β-hCG testing and transvaginal ultrasound.

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 .

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.

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

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trial of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

In two single cycle, open label, multinational, multicenter, comparative trials, a total of 434 normal ovulatory infertile women were randomized and received subcutaneously administered MENOPUR as part of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle (both trials) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle (one of the two trials). All women received pituitary down-regulation with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist before stimulation. Adverse Reactions occurring at an incidence of ≥ 2% in women receiving MENOPUR are shown in Table 1.

In addition, thrombophlebitis was reported in less than 1% of subjects.

In an open label, US, multicenter, comparative IVF and ICSI trial, MENOPUR and BRAVELLE were administered in the same syringe to 60 normal ovulatory infertile women. OHSS, post retrieval cramping and nausea and spontaneous abortion were the most common adverse reactions occurring at an incidence of ≥ 5% in women receiving the combination of MENOPUR and BRAVELLE.

In another open label, US multicenter, comparative trial for ovulation induction in anovulatory or oligovulatory infertile women, 76 subjects received subcutaneous or intramuscular injections of MENOPUR. The most common adverse reactions occurring at an incidence of ≥ 5% in women receiving MENOPUR were: headache; OHSS; injection site reaction, abdominal cramps, fullness and pain; and nausea.

The following adverse reactions have been reported during postmarketing use of gonadotropins. Because these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, the frequency or a causal relationship to MENOPUR cannot be reliably determined.

Gastrointestinal disorders: abdominal pain, abdominal pain lower, abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort

General disorders and administration site conditions: injection site reactions (most frequently reported injection site reaction was injection site pain), fatigue

Nervous system disorders: headache, dizziness

Reproductive system disorders: OHSS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] , pelvic pain, ovarian cyst, breast complaints (including breast pain, breast tenderness, breast discomfort, and breast swelling)

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: acne, rash

Vascular disorders: hot flush

MENOPUR, administered for 7 to 20 days, produces ovarian follicular growth and maturation in women who do not have primary ovarian failure. Treatment with MENOPUR in most instances results only in follicular growth and maturation. When sufficient follicular maturation has occurred, hCG must be given to induce ovulation.

Two open-label, randomized, controlled trials were conducted to assess the pharmacokinetics of MENOPUR. Study 2003-02 compared single doses of subcutaneous administration of the US and European (EU) formulations of MENOPUR in 57 healthy, pre-menopausal females who had undergone pituitary suppression. The study established that the two formulations are bioequivalent. Study 2000-03 assessed single and multiple doses of MENOPUR administered subcutaneously and intramuscularly in a 3 phase crossover design in 33 healthy, pre-menopausal females who had undergone pituitary suppression. The primary pharmacokinetic endpoints were FSH AUC and C _max values. The results are summarized in Table 2.

Long-term toxicity studies in animals have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of menotropins.

MENOPUR (menotropins for injection) is supplied in sterile vials as a lyophilized, white to off-white powder or pellet.

Each vial of MENOPUR is accompanied by a vial of sterile diluent containing 2 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride for Injection, USP:

75 International Units FSH and 75 International Units of LH activity, supplied as

NDC 55566-7501-2: Box of 5 vials + 5 vials diluent + 5 Q•Cap vial adapters

Lyophilized powder may be stored refrigerated or at room temperature (3° to 25° C/37° to 77°F) until dispensed. Protect from light. Use immediately after reconstitution. Discard unused material.