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Is It Safe To Use Follistim Instead Of Gonal-F?
hello I am undergoing IVF in the US while I am a Canadian resident. Hence, I dont have insurance coverage in the US but I do have in Canada. Gonal-F is part of my medications for my cycle and this medication is very expensive as my doctor asked me to buy 7 pen of Gonal-F. What is the best option available to me since I will be paying out of pocket, costs of the medication is too high and unbearable for me. Is there any discount of 50% available for me in the US . Can I use Follistim instead of Gonal-F and wont it affect the outcome? Your advice will be appreciated.
Fri, 24 Feb 2023
Hi,
Follistim and Gonal-F both are drugs used for treatment of infertility in women wanting children and in whom egg production is required thru stimulation by artificial hormone therapy. Both Follistim and Gonal-F both contain artificially synthesized follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and their structure is very similar to the naturally produced FSH.
Gonal-F contains follitropin-alfa, whereas Follistim contains molecules of both follitropin-alfa as well as follitropin-beta. The comparative studies for both is showing same effectivity in cases of patients undergoing IVF. Rather, in some of the studies, the effectiveness of Follistim has been shown to be marginally more than Gonal-F. Hence, in my opinion, you can use safely Follistim in place of Gonal-F with same probability of success rates or even may be more to some extent.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
Follistim and Gonal-F both are drugs used for treatment of infertility in women wanting children and in whom egg production is required thru stimulation by artificial hormone therapy. Both Follistim and Gonal-F both contain artificially synthesized follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and their structure is very similar to the naturally produced FSH.
Gonal-F contains follitropin-alfa, whereas Follistim contains molecules of both follitropin-alfa as well as follitropin-beta. The comparative studies for both is showing same effectivity in cases of patients undergoing IVF. Rather, in some of the studies, the effectiveness of Follistim has been shown to be marginally more than Gonal-F. Hence, in my opinion, you can use safely Follistim in place of Gonal-F with same probability of success rates or even may be more to some extent.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
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