Type of Drug:

Fertility drug.

How the Choriogonaootropin Alfa Works:

Choriogonadotropin alfa contains some of the same proteins that are in the naturally occurring hormones human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and aluminizing hormone (LH).

Uses of Choriogonaootropin Alfa:

For use in women in assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs.

Choriogonadotropin alfa is given when monitoring indicates that the follicles have developed adequately. Choriogonadotropin alfa induces ovulation.

To bring about ovulation and pregnancy in infertile patients with irregular cycles.

Precautions:

Ovarian enlargement/hyperstimulation: Choriogonadotropin alfa may cause ovarian enlargement or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). OHSS can develop rapidly (within 24 hours to several days) and can become a serious medical event. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight gain.

Multiple births: Choriogonadotropin alfa treatment has been associated with multiple births. Consult your doctor.

Pregnancy: Do not use during pregnancy. The risk of use in a pregnant woman clearly outweighs any possible benefit.

Breastfeeding: It is not known if choriogonadotropin alfa appears in breast milk. Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine.

Children: Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established. Lab tests will be required to monitor therapy.

Drug Interactions:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or planning to take any over­the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements while taking choriogonadotropin alfa. Doses of one or both drugs may need to be modified or a different drug may need to be prescribed.

Side Effects of the Choriogonaootropin Alfa:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many choriogonadotropin alfa users experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Digestive Tract: Stomach pain; nausea; vomiting.

Other: Injection site pain; bruising; post-operative pain.

Guidelines for Use:

• This medicine is injected subcutaneous (SC; under the skin). Use exactly as prescribed.
• Follow the injecting procedure taught to you by your health care provider.
• Visually inspect the solution. Do not use if discolored or contains particles.
• Overstimulation of the ovary may OCCur (ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome; OHSS). Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, Or weight gain.
• Use immediately after reconstitution. Discard unused solution.
• Lab tests will be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments.
• Store vials at controlled room temperature (68° to 77°F) or refrigerate (36° to 46°F). Protect from fight.

Type of Drug:

Combination oral antidiabetic agent used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (previously referred to as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM]).

How the Drug Works:

Glyburide stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas acutely and lowers glucose chronically by unknown mechanisms. Metformin reduces the amount of sugar produced by the liver and the amount absorbedby the intestines and enhances insulin sensitivity.

Uses:

Used as initial therapy, along with diet and exercise, to treat type 2 diabetes. Also used as second-line therapy when diet, exercise, and initial treatment with a sulfonylurea or metformin used alone is not sufficient.

Precautions:

Latic acidosis: Lactic acidosis is a rare but serious side effect that can occur when taking this medication, particularly if kidney function is impaired. Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you experience general body discomfort, muscle pain, difficulty breathing, drowsiness, stomach pain, chills, dizziness, lightheadedness, or slow heartbeat.

Diet and exercise: Diet and exercise are the primary managements of type diabetes. Glyburide/metformin is used with, not as a substitute for, diet nd exercise.

Heart problems: This medicine may increase the risk of heart problems compared to treatment with, diet alone or diet plus Insulin.

Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Pregnant women with diabetes should be treated with insulin. Glyburide/metformin is not recommended for control of blood sugar levels in pregnant women.

Breastfeeding: It is not known if glyburide/metformin appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Children: Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

Elderly: Elderly and debilitated patients are more likely to develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). Use with caution.

Lab Tests: Lab tests will be required to monitor therapy. Tests include blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA )’ and kidney function tests.

Side Effects:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many glyburide/metformin users experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency or severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Nervous System: Chills; drowsiness; light-headedness; headache; dizziness; shakiness.

Digestive Tract: Diarrhea; nausea; vomiting; stomach pain.

Other: Upper respiratory infection; difficulty breathing; muscle pain; rash; changes in taste perception; low blood pressure; sweating; hunger.

Guidelines for Use:

• Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.
• Take with meals.
• Follow the diet and exercise program exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised to do so by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed or it is necessary to establish a new dosage schedule, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you experience difficulty breathing, muscle pain, general body discomfort, drowsiness, dizziness, light­headedness, slow heartbeat, stomach pain, or chills.
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea generally stop with continued use. If they continue, contact your doctor immediately.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while undergoing therapy with glyburide/ metformin.
• The effectiveness of this medicine may decrease over time. If you feel that it is losing its effectiveness, contact your doctor.
• Lab tests will be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments .
• Store below 77°F. Protect from light.

Type of Drug:

Antithyroid drugs.

How the Antithyroid Agents Works:

The oral antithyroid drugs inhibit the formation of thyroid hormones.

Uses of The Antithyroid Agents:

To treat hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland). To treat or prepare the overactive thyroid for surgery or radioactive iodine therapy. Sodium iodide I 131 preparations may be used to treat certain forms of thyroid cancer.

Unlabeled Uses: Occasionally doctors may prescribe propylthiouracil to treat liver disease due to alcoholism.

Precatuions:

Pregnancy: Studies have shown a potential adverse effect to the fetus. Us only if clearly needed and the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the possible hazards to the fetus. These agents, if used carefully, are effective in treating hyperthyroidism complicated by pregnancy. Dose must be adequate but not excessive. These drugs cross the placenta and could induce goiter or even cretinism (congenital lack of thyroid secretion which can stop physical and mental development) in the fetus. Propylthiouracil is less likely than methimazole to cross the placenta.

Breastfeeding: Patients receiving antithyroid preparations should not breastfeed.

Children: Safety and effectiveness of sodium iodide I 131 in children have not been established. Sodium iodide I 131 is not usually used for treatment of hyperthyroidism in patients under 30 years of age unless circumstances preclude other methods of treatment.

Lab Tests: Lab tests will be required to monitor therapy. Tests include blood count , bone marrow function, and thyroid function.

Drug Interactions:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or planning to take any over­the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements while taking an antithyroid agent. Doses of one or both drugs may need to be modified or a different drug may need to be prescribed. The following drugs or drug classes interact with antithyroid agents:

Side Effects of Antithyroid Agents:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many antithyroid agent users experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Digestive Tract: Nausea; vomiting; stomach upset or pain; loss of taste sensation; swelling of salivary glands.

Nervous System: Abnormal skin sensations; headache; drowsiness; depression; feeling of whirling motion; hyperactivity.

Skin: Unusual bleeding or bruising; rash; itching; hives; excessive skin pigmentation; yellowing of skin or eyes; abnormal hair loss.

Other: Joint or muscle pain; fever; fluid retention (edema); swollen lymph glands; abnormal blood counts; kidney disease; lung disease; liver disease; low blood sugar.

Other: Sodium iodide I 131 only: Radiation sickness (eg, nausea, vomiting); anemia; chromosomal abnormalities; tenderness and swelling of the neck; pain on swallowing; sore throat; cough; temporary thinning of hair.

Guidelines for Use:

• Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.
• Do not change the dose or stop taking this medicine unless advised to do so by your doctor.
• Take methimazole or propylthiouracil at regular intervals around the clock (usually every 8 hours), unless directed otherwise by your doctor.
• Notify your doctor if fever, sore throat, hay fever, unusual bleeding or bruising, headache, general body discomfort, rash, yellowing of the skin, vomiting, itching, appetite loss, skin surface changes, or pain in the upper right side of your body occurs.
• If a dose of methimazole or propylthiouracil is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised to do so by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed or it is necessary to establish a new dosage schedule, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
• Lab tests will be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments.
• Store methimazole or propylthiouracil at room temperature (59° to 86°F). Store sodium iodide I 131 at room temperature controlled in compliance with government regulations.

Somatropin & Somatropin:

Type of Drug:

Growth hormone.

How the Somatropin Drug Works:

Mimics actions of naturally occuring growth hormone; stimulates growth of bone, tissues, blood cells and internal organs.

Uses of The Somatropin:

Growth failure associated with chronic kidney insufficiency until time of transplantation (Nutropin, Nutropin AO).

Growth failure (except Serostim).

Turner syndrome (Nutropin only).

AIDS wasting or cachexia (Serostim only). Somatotropin deficiency syndrome (Humatrope only).

Unlnbeled Uses: OCCAsionally doctors may prescribe growth hormones for short children due to growth retardation

Pregnancy:

Seriatim, Genotropin - Studies in pregnant women or in animals have been judged not to show a risk to the fetus. However, no drug should be used during pregnancy unless clearly needed.

Nutropin, Nutropin AQ, Humatrope, Norditropin - Adequate studies have not been done in pregnant women; animal studies may have shown a risk to the fetus. Use only if clearly needed and potential benefits out­weigh the possible hazards to the fetus.

Breastfeeding: It is not known if somatropin appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Children:

Serostim - Safety and effectiveness in children with AIDS have not been established.

Benzyl alcohol - Benzyl alcohol as a preservative in bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP has been associated with toxicity in newborns. When administering somatropin to newborns, reconstitute with sterile Water for Injection.

Side Effects:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many patients experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include: High blood pressure; headache; high sugar in blood; antibody development; muscle pain; weakness; glucose in urine; swelling; swelling in arms and legs; breast growth; joint pain; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting; injection site reactions; leukemia.

Nutropin - Eye pain; visual changes; injection site pain; carpal tunnel syndrome; wrist pain.

Genotropin - Loss of skin fat; blood in urine.

Humatrope - Abnormal skin sensation; pain; runny nose; back pain; acne; joint disorder; flu syndrome; increased cough; decreased sensitivity to touch; respiratory disorder; sore throat.

Serostim - Musculoskeletal discomfort; fever; swelling of hands or feet; diarrhea; nerve disease; increased sweating; appetite loss; fast heartbeat; tiredness; abnormal blood counts; protein in urine; lymph node swelling; sleeplessness; carpal tunnel syndrome.

Guidelines for Use:

• Take as directed by your doctor. The daily dose varies depending on individual needs. Do not adjust the dose without consulting you pharmacist of doctor
• Follow injection procedure taught to you by your healthcare provider. Follow instructions on patient information insert. Rotate injection sites.
• Report these symptoms to the doctor: Limping; hip or knee pain; headache; weakness; muscle pain; swelling; injection site reactions.
• If local or systemic allergic reactions occur, contact your doctor.
• Lab tests and examinations will include: Blood sugar; eye exams; thyroid function tests; antibody testing; nutritional tests (Serostim only). Keep appointments.
• Storage: Serostim: Store unopened vials at room temperature (59° to 86°F) and reconstituted solution under refrigeration for no longer than 24 hours. Genotropin, Humatrope, Nutropin: Store unopened vials/cartridges under refrigeration (36 0 to 46°F); store reconstituted solutions under refrigeration (36° to 46°F) for up to 14 days except 1.5 mg cartridge of Genotropin which must be used within 24 hours. Nutropin AQ: Store under refrigeration (36° to 46 Q F). Must be used within once opened.
• Do not use if cloudy.

Follitropin Beta - Some Interactions which Occur

Type of Drug:

Gonadotropin; hormone that stimulates the ovaries; fertility drug.

How the Follitropin Beta Works:

Follitropin beta stimulates the ovaries to produce eggs.

Uses of The Follitropin Beta:

For the induction of ovulation and pregnancy in women whose ovaries still work but cannot form eggs (ovulate) and as a result, are not fertile (unable to become pregnant).

To stimulate the development of multiple follicles in ovulatory patients undergoing Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART) (eg, in vitro fertilization).

Precautions:

Multiple births: Reports of multiple births have been associated with follitropin beta treatment. Discuss this with your doctor before starting therapy.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): Mild to moderate ovarian enlargement, with or without bloating or stomach pain, may occur and generally goes away within 2 or 3 weeks after discontinuing this medicine. All patients who experience bloating or stomach pain should be examined for ovarian enlargement. If significant ovarian enlargement occurs after ovulation, do not engage in sexual intercourse.

Respiratory complications: Serious respiratory conditions (eg, difficulty breathing, worsening of asthma) and blood clotting have been reported.

Pregnancy: Do not use during pregnancy. The risk of use in a pregnant woman clearly outweighs any possible benefit.

Breastfeeding: It is not known if follitropin beta appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Lab Tests: Lab tests will be required during treatment. Tests may include blood hormone levels, ultrasound, and body temperature measurement.

Side Effects of the Follitropin Beta:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many factors beta users experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Digestive Tract: Stomach pain; bloating; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea.

Urinary and Reproductive Tract: Miscarriage; ovarian hyper stimulation; octopi pregnancy; ovarian cyst; pelvic pain; breast tenderness; heavy or irregular vaginal bleeding; infrequent urination.

Skin: Dry skin; rash; hair loss; hives.

Other: Rapid heart beat; fast or difficult breathing; headache; dizziness; muscle or joint pain; aches; body discomfort; fever; chills; flu-like symptoms; injection site pain; weight gain.

Guidelines for Use:

• Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.
• Visually inspect the solution for discoloration or particles. Use immediately after reconstitution (mixing). Discard any unused portion.
• Carefully follow the preparation and administration technique taught to you by your health care provider.
• For subcutaneous (beneath the skin) or intra muscular (into a muscle) injection only.
• Treatment with this drug requires close monitoring for over stimulation of the ovary. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience difficulty breathing, severe pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, stomach pain or bloating, diarrhea, or infrequent urination.
• The couple should have intercourse daily, beginning on the day prior to human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) administration, until ovulation occurs. Take care to ensure insemination. However, intercourse should be prohibited in patients in whom significant ovarian enlargement occurs after ovulation.
• Multiple pregnancy is possible and poses potential hazards.
• Other causes of infertility will be excluded before this medicine is used.
• Monitor for signs of pregnancy before and during treatment. If pregnancy is suspected, contact your doctor.
• Lab tests will be required to monitor treatment. Be sure to keep appointments.
• Store in refrigerator or at room temperature (36° to 77°F). Protect from light.