Cetrotide (Ganirelix)
Cetrotide, a subcutaneous injection, is a medication that prevents ovulation. This medication is used to prevent ovulation until the follicles in the ovary have reached an acceptable size and amount...
Cetrotide, a subcutaneous injection, is a medication that prevents ovulation. This medication is used to prevent ovulation until the follicles in the ovary have reached an acceptable size and amount due to stimulation from gonadotropins like Menopur and Gonal-f and Follistim. Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) antagonists are used in fertility treatments to prevent the surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), which triggers ovulation during a regular cycle. GnRH antagonists prevent this surge by blocking the pituitary gland from producing LH altogether. A key difference between GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist is that agonists act over many days of medication while antagonists act within a few hours of the injection. GnRH antagonist medications assist in allowing your doctor to control when you ovulate so as to time your treatment accordingly.
Administration
Step 1: Gather your supplies, and wash your hands
1 minutes
- You will need: the box of Cetrotide medication with a pre-filled syringe of sterile diluent and attached needle for administration, 20 gauge 1 1/2 needle for mixing, the vial of powdered medication, alcohol pads and a sharps disposal.
Step 2: Mix your dose
2 minutes
- First, change the needle on the syringe of sterile diluent to the mixing needle, and stash the smaller needle in a sterile spot. Insert the mixing needle into the vial of powdered Cetrotide and push all of the diluent out of the syringe. Swirl the vial to dissolve the powder. When it all dissolved, draw all of the medication our of the vial back into the syringe.
Step 3: Prep your needle
1 minutes
- Pull back on the plunger just slightly to get all the medication out of the mixing needle. Using the cap, twist off the mixing needle and attach the administration needle.
- Next you will need to get all of the air out of the syringe. Tap the syringe to get all the air bubbles to go to the top and then you can push on the plunger until a little bit of the medication comes out of the tip of needle.
Step 4: Pick your injection site
1 minutes
- Measure 1-2 inches below your belly button and off to the right or left. Switch sides with each injection to help relieve any tenderness that develops. Using an alcohol wipe, wipe off your chosen spot and let it air dry.
Step 5: Administer the injection
1 minutes
- Using your thumb and index finger of one hand, take a pinch of skin at your chosen spot. Using the other hand, hold the syringe and needle at a perpendicular angle to your belly. Confidently and firmly push the needle into your stomach all the way. Once done, push the plunger down steadily, making sure it's all the way down.
- Once empty, pull out the needle and release your pinch of skin. If any bleeding happens, use a piece of sterile gauze to apply pressure. Don’t rub the injection site. If discomfort continues, you can use an ice cube to numb the injection site.
Throw the needle and syringe away in the sharps container. You did it!
