Patient and nurse evaluation of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone administration methods: comparison of two follitropin injection pens

Abstract

Taken together, results from these two small studies suggest that the follitropin alfa pen was effective, well tolerated, and patient and nurse acceptance appeared to be higher for the follitropin alfa pen versus the follitropin beta pen, which may benefit compliance, leading to improved outcomes.

Patient evaluation of the use of follitropin alfa in a prefilled ready-to-use injection pen in assisted reproductive technology: an observational study

“…Results from comparative studies of the two available pen devices for injection of r-hFSH indicate a preference for the prefilled follitropin alfa pen among both patients and nurses [15,16]. In a small pilot study, patients undergoing ART procedures at a German centre were randomized to either the prefilled follitropin alfa pen or to the reusable follitropin beta pen [15].…”

“…In a small pilot study, patients undergoing ART procedures at a German centre were randomized to either the prefilled follitropin alfa pen or to the reusable follitropin beta pen [15]. A greater proportion of patients in the group using the prefilled follitropin alfa pen found the pen very easy to handle, and quicker to learn to use and prepare for injection than those using the reusable follitropin beta pen.…”

“…A greater proportion of patients in the group using the prefilled follitropin alfa pen found the pen very easy to handle, and quicker to learn to use and prepare for injection than those using the reusable follitropin beta pen. Overall, the desire to continue using the device was substantially higher among patients who used the prefilled follitropin alfa pen than those who used the reusable follitropin beta pen [15]. …”

“…A study of patients undergoing ART at an Australian centre compared the prefilled follitropin alfa pen with previous experience of the reusable follitropin beta pen [15,16]. Patients who had used both pen devices scored many attributes of the prefilled follitropin alfa pen more favourably than those of the reusable follitropin beta pen, including the device storage, device use and dose preparation [15].…”

Drug tolerability in assisted reproduction techniques: a longitudinal study

“…Most (414 articles), analyze the long-term safety and adverse effects of gonadotropins. Only 29 articles analyzed the short-term adverse effects of these drugs, focusing mostly on patient [Gibreel and Bhattacharya S 2009;Somkuti et al 2006;Gocial et al 2000] and nurse [Porter et al 2008], satisfaction and administration comfort, as well as with drug convenience [Nahuis et al 2009;Kettel et al 2004;Pang et al 2003;Platteau et al 2003], drug tolerance [Rama et al 2008;Christianson et al 2007], incidence of allergic reactions [Harrison et al 2000;Redfearn et al 1995;Kinoshita et al 1999;Harika et al 1994;Dore et al 1994], and local tolerability [Diedrich 2002;Feigenbaum et al 2001;Alviggi et al 2007;Giles et al 2004;Nichols et al 2001;Engmann et al 1998;Olivennes et al 2000;Van Hooren et al 2001] associated with the drug presentation or means of administration. Only three articles describe the general effects profile [Gillies et al 2000;Banz et al 2002;Goa and Wagstaff 1998].…”