Metrodin

The pituitary gland produces two hormones that control the ovary - FSH and LH. Pergonal is a mixture of these two hormones.

Although I am greatly oversimplifying this, it is convenient to think of FSH as controlling egg development and LH as controlling hormone production.

There are some women who do not respond well to Pergonal or Humegon (FSH/LH) but who do respond to just FSH alone. Therefore, Pergonal or Humegon was altered to remove the LH and leave just the FSH.

This drug is called Metrodin. It is packaged the same as Pergonal or Humegon and it is mixed and given the same as Pergonal or Humegon. Occasionally, some women do better given a combination of Pergonal or Humegon and Metrodin.

Everything discussed in this pamphlet about Pergonal or Humegon applies to Metrodin as well.

Newer drugs similar to Metrodin include Fertinex, Follistim, and Gonal-F.

Metrodin is usually no longer prescribed but you may come across its name in some older books and we wanted you to be familiar with it.