Ganirelix Acetate

Brand Names: Ganirelix Acetate

Drug Class: General Prescription

Overview

DESCRIPTION Ganirelix Acetate Injection is a synthetic decapeptide with high antagonistic activity against naturally occurring gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Ganirelix acetate is derived from native GnRH with substitutions of amino acids at positions 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 10 to form the following molecular formula of the peptide:...

Mechanism of Action

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY The pulsatile release of GnRH stimulates the synthesis and secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The frequency of LH pulses in the mid and late follicular phase is approximately 1 pulse per hour. These pulses can be detected as transient rises in serum LH. At midcycle, a large increase in GnRH release results in an LH surge. The midcycle LH surge initiates several physiologic actions including: ovulation, resumption of meiosis in the oocyte, and luteinization. Luteinization results in a rise in serum progesterone with an accompanying decrease in estradiol levels. Ganirelix acetate acts by competitively blocking the GnRH receptors on the pituitary gonadotroph and subsequent transduction pathway.

Indications

  • INDICATIONS AND USAGE Ganirelix Acetate Injection is indicated for the inhibition of premature LH surges in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

Common Doses

  • 250 mcg

Dosage

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION After initiating FSH therapy on Day 2 or 3 of the cycle, ganirelix acetate injection 250 mcg may be administered subcutaneously once daily during the mid to late portion of the follicular phase. By taking advantage of endogenous pituitary FSH secretion, the requirement for exogenously administered FSH may be reduced. Treatment with ganirelix acetate should be continued daily until the day of hCG administration. When a sufficient number of follicles of adequate size are present, as assessed by ultrasound, final maturation of follicles is induced by administering hCG.

Contraindications

  • CONTRAINDICATIONS Ganirelix acetate is contraindicated under the following conditions: Known hypersensitivity to ganirelix acetate or to any of its components including dry natural rubber/latex (see HOW SUPPLIED ). Known hypersensitivity to GnRH or any other GnRH analog. Known or suspected pregnancy (see PRECAUTIONS ).

Side Effects

  • ADVERSE REACTIONS The safety of ganirelix acetate was evaluated in two randomized, parallel-group, multicenter controlled clinical studies. Treatment duration for ganirelix acetate ranged from 1 to 14 days. Table IV represents adverse events (AEs) from first day of ganirelix acetate administration until confirmation of pregnancy by ultrasound at an incidence of ≥ 1% in ganirelix acetate-treated subjects without regard to causality. TABLE IV: Incidence of common adverse events (Incidence ≥ 1% in ganirelix acetate-treated subjects).

Interactions

  • Drug Interactions No formal drug-drug interaction studies have been performed.