Always use Luveris exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor if you are not sure.
Using this medicine
Your doctor will decide on the dose and schedule of administration, which are most appropriate for you during this course of treatment.
How much to use
Luveris is usually used every day for up to three weeks simultaneously with injections of FSH.
The usual starting dose is 75 IU (1 vial) of Luveris together with 75 IU or 150 IU of FSH. According to your response, your doctor may increase your dose of FSH by preferably 37.5-75 IU at 7 to 14-day intervals.
Your physician may decide to extend your treatment up to 5 weeks.
When the desired response has been obtained, a single injection of hCG is given 24 to 48 hours after the last injections of Luveris and FSH. You are recommended to have sexual intercourse on the day of, and the day following, administration of the hCG. Alternatively, intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be performed.
If an excessive response is obtained, treatment should be stopped and hCG withheld (see section headed ?Possible Side Effects?). For the following cycle, your doctor will prescribe FSH at a lower dose than that of the previous cycle.
Luveris is intended for subcutaneous use which means it is given by injection under the skin. Each vial is for single use only.
If you administer Luveris to yourself, please carefully read the following instructions: - Wash your hands. It is important that your hands and the items you use be as clean as possible.
Assemble everything you need. Find a clean area and lay out everything one vial of Luveris, one vial of solvent, two alcohol swabs, one syringe, one reconstitution needle for dissolving the powder in the solvent, a fine-bore needle for subcutaneous injection, a sharps container for safe disposal of glass and needles.
Remove the protective cap from the solvent vial. Attach the reconstitution needle to the syringe and draw up some air into the syringe by pulling the plunger to approximately the 1 ml mark. Then, insert the needle into the vial, push the plunger to expel the air, turn the vial upside down and gently draw up all the solvent. Set the syringe down carefully on the work-surface taking care not to touch the needle.
Prepare the injection solution Remove the protective cap from the Luveris powder vial, pick up your syringe and slowly inject the solvent into the vial of Luveris. Swirl gently without removing the syringe. Do not shake.
After the powder has dissolved which usually occurs immediately, check that the resulting solution is clear and does not contain any particles. Turn the vial upside down and gently draw the solution back into the syringe.
You may also mix Luveris and follitropin alfa as an alternative to injecting each product separately. After dissolving the Luveris powder, draw the solution back into the syringe and re-inject it into the container with the follitropin alfa powder. Once the powder has dissolved, draw the solution back into the syringe. Inspect for particles as before, and do not use if the solution is not clear.
Up to 3 containers of powder may be dissolved in 1 ml of solvent.
Change the needle for the fine-bore needle and remove any air bubbles If you see air bubbles in the syringe, hold the syringe with the needle pointing upwards and gently flick the syringe until all the air collects at the top. Gently push the plunger until the air bubbles are gone.
Immediately inject the solution Your doctor or nurse will have already advised you where to inject e.g. tummy, front of thigh. Wipe the chosen area with an alcohol swab. Firmly pinch the skin together and insert the needle at a 45 to 90 angle using a dart-like motion. Inject under the skin, as you were taught. Do not inject directly into a vein. Inject the solution by pushing gently on the plunger. Take as much time as you need to inject all the solution. Immediately withdraw the needle and clean the skin with an alcohol swab using a circular motion.
Dispose of all used items Once you have finished your injection, immediately discard all needles and empty glass containers in the sharps container provided. Any unused solution must be discarded.
If you use more Luveris than you should
The effects of an overdose of Luveris are unknown, nevertheless there is a possibility that ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome may occur, which is further described in ?Possible side effects'. However this will only occur if hCG is administered (see section headed ?Take special care with Luveris?).
If you forget to use Luveris
Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Please contact your doctor.
If you have any further question on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist
