Download Self-Injecting Guide - Midland Fertility Clinic

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This information is general and no substitute for the individualised injection-training
each patient will receive at MFS. It is important to take notes at this appointment as
some treatment plans may vary depending on clinical need.
Injections training appointment
Following
the
treatment
planning
appointment, patients receive training to
self-inject the fertility drugs required for
the next stage of treatment.
As each patient’s treatment is tailormade to their individual requirements,
the drug types and protocols will vary.
Patients are reminded not to compare
their prescriptions with those of other
patients.
It is strongly recommended that:
 the female partner who will be
having the injections is accompanied
to the injection-training appointment
by her husband, partner or a friend
who can drive
 that someone should remain with the
patient for at least one hour after
administering
any
self-injected
medication for the first time
The following are the injectable
medications most commonly prescribed at
MFS:
*Key:
SC: sub-cutaneous - injected into the thigh, buttock, or tummy
IM: intra-muscular - injected into the buttock or upper thigh
*SC/IM
Syringe and needle information
‘Down-Regulation’ Drugs
Suppress the hormones LH and FSH before the ovarian
stimulation phase of treatment
buserelin (video available, see over)
SC
1ml syringe, brown needle to inject
decapeptyl 3mg (single dose)
IM
usually given by a clinician
Ovarian Stimulation Drugs
Stimulate the ovaries to produce more egg-containing
follicles than the one or two usually produced in a natural
cycle
Merional (video available, see over)
SC
Fostimon (video available, see over)
SC
Menopur
SC
Gonal-f
SC
Anti-Ovulation Drugs
2.5ml syringe, green needle for mixing
and brown needle to inject
pre-filled syringe ready for injection
Controlled prevention of premature ovulation
Cetrotide
SC
pre-filled water in syringe, ready to add
powder. Needle included in pack
Orgalutran
SC
pre-filled syringe ready for injection
‘Trigger’ Shot / hCG
buserelin (video available for SC, see
over)
hCG
Luteal Phase Support
progesterone
Controls the exact time of ovulation.
Gonasi, Choragon and Pregnyl
Examples include:
SC/IM
SC=1ml syringe, brown needle to inject
IM=2.5ml syringe, blue needle to inject
SC/IM
SC=1ml syringe, brown needle to inject
IM=2.5ml syringe, blue needle to inject
Maintains the lining of the uterus to aid embryo implantation
IM
2.5ml syringe, green needle for mixing
and blue needle to inject
© (2013) Midland Fertility Services / 3,1 self-injecting v01-06/2013
Guide to Self-Injecting
Drug name
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Video guides to self-injecting
Patients who are prescribed:
 buserelin
 Fostimon® (Urofollitropin)
 Merional® (Menotrophin BP)
can access on-line, video guides to self-injecting via
the website of Pharmasure, the key supplier of
patients’ drugs to MFS, as follows:
 open one of the following internet browsers:
o Internet Explorer
o Google Chrome
o Firefox
o Safari
 the guides are viewed best on a tablet or PC
 ensure the latest version of Flash Player is
installed. To install or update Flash Player,
visit: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/?no_ab=1
 visit: www.pharmasure.co.uk
 click on ‘Video Guides’
A patient may choose to source her own medications
– an additional fee is levied for private prescriptions.
Equipment
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syringes
mixing needles and injecting needles
sharps’ bin (for safe disposal of needles,
syringes, vials and/or ampoules). Do not overfill the sharps’ bin so that the lid does not shut.
It must be returned to MFS or to a GP surgery for
safe disposal and MUST NOT be included in
household waste
ampoule breakers are supplied to patients only
for MFS-supplied Fostimon and Merional
How to store fertility drugs
Drugs must be stored between 4-18°C. Refrigeration
is not required. Refer to the leaflet supplied with
the medication.
Tips
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select the relevant self-injecting guide from the
drop down menu
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patients should refer to the ‘Treatment
Schedule’ in the MFS blue patient’s folder
detailing the types, dates and quantities of the
drugs they have been prescribed
if preferred, the patient’s partner can do the
injections (but only if they’ve received the
training)
expensive numbing creams aren’t necessary, but
some patients find it easier to numb the spot
with an ice-cube before the hCG injection
do the injections at the same time every day,
unless instructed otherwise
Side-effects of self-injecting medication
Fertility medications may cause some ‘normal’ side
effects, including local irritation or redness. If any
other side-effects are noticed the patient should
contact MFS (see below).
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ensure the sound is turned on
watch the whole video before preparing to selfinject and until the procedure is familiar
Are medications included in the treatment cost?

How fertility drugs are obtained and supplied
Injectable fertility drugs are supplied as either:
 vials: have a rubber stopper
 ampoules: have a glass ‘nipple’ that needs to be
broken off. Please take care when opening
They are received with all the necessary equipment
for safe self-injecting:
 private patients: all drugs – and some equipment
for Fostimon and Merional – are delivered
directly to the patients’ homes.
Other
equipment will collected by the patient at MFS
 NHS patients: collect their drugs and equipment
from MFS at the injection training appointment

for private patients, the cost of drugs is
calculated on individual patient need. Patients
will be advised of the cost at the appointment
following treatment assessment. The cost for
any required ‘top-up’ drugs will be discussed
with the patient as required and must be paidfor before receipt
drugs for NHS patients will be supplied as part of
their treatment package
Further information
If in any doubt about injecting medications, patients
should email [email protected] or
contact the clinical team during usual clinic hours on
01922 455911. Out of hours, a voice mail message
will state the mobile number of the senior on-call
member of staff to contact. If in any doubt, ASK!
© (2013) Midland Fertility Services / 3,1 self-injecting v01-06/2013
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