SURROGACY MEDICATIONS & RISKS

LOW DOSE ASPIRIN

Aspirin assists with cycle stimulation and impending embryonic implantation. This medication will continue until 12 weeks of pregnancy. Oral tablet. Side effects are upset stomach, heartburn, easy bruising or bleeding.

LUPRON (LEUPROLIDE ACETATE)

Lupron (leuprolide acetate) prevents the usual hormone exchange that causes follicle production and ovulation by suppressing the pituitary stimulation to the ovaries. Lupron is an injection given subcutaneously (in the fatty tissue) by a ½ inch needle under the skin.   Side effects: Headache, fatigue, hot flashes.

ESTROGEN (ESTRACE)

Estrogen is a hormone that helps grow the lining of the uterus which maintains an early pregnancy.  Vivielle Patch (estradiol) is applied to the skin on the abdomen and the estrogen is absorbed through the skin.  Side effects: Skin redness, irritation or rash, nausea, fluid retention.  Estrace (estradiol) is an oral tablet or vaginal suppository.  Side effects: Bloating, mild nausea, or breast tenderness.

PROGESTERONE (PROMETRIUM, CRINONE, PROCHIEVE, ENDOMETRIN, PROGESTERONE)

Progesterone is the hormone necessary for the preparation of the uterine lining for the implantation of the embryo and the maintenance of early pregnancy.  Side effects: Breast tenderness, mild nausea, diarrhea, bloating, stomach cramps and dizziness.  Prometrium (Oral tablet), Crinone/Prochieve (Vaginal gel), Endometrin (Vaginal tablet insert), Progesterone (Intramuscular injection into the muscle). Side effects are breast tenderness, injection site tenderness, mild nausea, diarrhea, bloating, stomach cramps and dizziness.

MEDROL (METHYLPREDNISOLONE)

Medrol is a low-dose steroid pill to suppress the autoimmune system from interfering with embryo implantation. Oral tablet.

ANTIBIOTICS

DOXYCYCLINE (antibiotic)

Doxycycline is a pre-cycle antibiotic that prevents any possible low-grade pelvic infection. It is an oral tablet.

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TETRACYCLINE (antibiotic)

Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic taken orally starting a few days before transfer to help prevent infection from occurring. An oral tablet. Side effects are minor gastrointestinal upset, sensitivity to sun.

FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONES - FSH OR GONADOTROPINS
(GONAL F, BRAVELLE, FOLLISTIM, MENOPUR, REPRONEX)

One injection per day for approximately 10 days. FSH is the very same hormone produced by a woman’s body to mature the eggs within the ovaries during her reproductive cycle. Each egg in the ovary sits in a sac called a follicle. In the treatment of egg donation, FSH medicine is given to develop many sacs or follicles and thus make many eggs. The more ovarian follicles produced, the greater chances are for a successful outcome.  Possible Side Effects (no long-term side effects have been reported) are headache, moodiness, fatigue and bloating. Rare possible Side Effects are OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome). The incidence of severe OHSS is 1-2% of IVF cases. OHSS means essentially that the body has "over-responded" to the FSH and the ovaries become excessively enlarged. Great care is taken by the physician to minimize the risk. Treatment for this condition may include hospitalization and a minor procedure. Forgoing proper treatment can result in extremely serious complications including blood clots and stroke. There is also a rare risk of the ovary tearing open or twisting on itself, so decreasing physical activities while on the FSH medicine is important.