Menopur (menotropins) is a prescription drug that’s used as part of fertility treatment. Menopur is given as an injection under the skin.

Specifically, Menopur is used for ovarian stimulation in adult females using assisted reproductive technology (ART), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or egg freezing.

To learn more about Menopur’s uses, see the “Uses for Menopur” section.

Note: The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” in this article reflects the language of the sources we have used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.

Menopur basics

Menopur contains the active ingredient menotropins. It belongs to a group of drugs called gonadotropins.

Menopur contains the active ingredient menotropins, which is a mix of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.

Menopur is a biologic medication. A biologic is made from parts of living organisms. Menopur is available only as a brand-name drug. It isn’t available in a biosimilar form.

Biosimilars are like generic drugs. Just as generic drugs can be an alternative to brand-name medications, biosimilars are an effective alternative to biologics.

Like most drugs, Menopur may cause mild to serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the more common side effects Menopur may cause, but they don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that the side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Menopur. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while using Menopur and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Menopur can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Menopur’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Menopur that have been reported include:

  • headache
  • abdominal fullness (which may feel like bloating)
  • injection site reactions, such as pain, warmth, swelling, or discoloration
  • abdominal pain or cramps

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Menopur can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Menopur, call your doctor right away. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Menopur that have been reported include:

  • increased risk of pregnancy loss
  • ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside of the womb)
  • pregnancy with multiple babies
  • lung problems, such as fluid in the lungs or difficulty breathing
  • ovarian torsion (twisting of the ovary, which can cut off blood supply to it)
  • possible increased risk of ovarian tumors
  • unusual enlargement of the ovaries
  • ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which can occur if too many eggs develop in the ovaries
  • blood clots, which could lead to pulmonary embolism, heart attack, or stroke
  • increased risk of problems with fetal development (commonly known as birth defects)

For more information about side effects related to boxed warnings, see the “Menopur precautions” section.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Menopur can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Menopur treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Menopur, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Menopur is prescribed for ovarian stimulation in adult females whose ovaries are not able to produce eggs. It’s used as part of assisted reproductive technology (ART) to help them become pregnant.

ART is a type of fertility treatment that involves working with eggs or embryos. These include methods such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and egg freezing.

Menopur works by stimulating multiple eggs to grow and mature in your ovaries. When enough mature eggs have developed in your ovaries, your doctor will collect them for use in IVF or for egg freezing.

Menopur may be prescribed alone or along with other drugs used in ART, such as:

  • chorionic gonadotropin (Pregnyl, Novarel)
  • urofollitropin (Bravelle)

How will I know whether Menopur is working?

During your Menopur treatment, your doctor will monitor you for signs that the drug is working. They’ll likely use blood tests to monitor your hormone levels and ultrasound scans to check the development of eggs in your ovaries.

The Menopur dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on:

  • other medications you take as part of your assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment
  • how your body responds to Menopur

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Menopur’s form

Menopur comes as a powder or pellet in a vial that’s mixed with a sodium chloride solution. The drug is given as an injection under the skin.

Dosage for ovarian stimulation

The dosage of Menopur you’re prescribed will depend on your individual treatment plan. Be sure to follow the instructions that your doctor provides.

You’ll typically inject Menopur once per day, starting on day 2 or 3 of your menstrual cycle. (day 1 is the first day of your period.) If you’re not having periods, your doctor will tell you when to start using Menopur.

You’ll likely inject Menopur every day until enough mature eggs have developed in your ovaries. This may take up to 20 days. Your doctor will tell you when to stop using Menopur.

After you stop using Menopur, your doctor will likely prescribe a dose of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to trigger ovulation (the release of eggs from your ovaries). Your doctor will advise you on when to take this and when to go to your clinic to collect your eggs for IVF or freezing.

How to inject

Menopur is given as an injection under your skin. Your doctor or another healthcare professional can show you or a caregiver how to give the injections at home.

You’ll inject Menopur in your lower abdomen, 1 to 2 inches below your belly button. You should switch between the left and right sides of your abdomen each time you inject the medication.

If you have questions about injecting Menopur, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. The drug manufacturer also provides step-by-step written directions and an instructional video.

About using Menopur

The following are some common questions about using Menopur.

  • Should I take Menopur with food? You can take your Menopur dose with or without food.
  • Is there a best time of day to take Menopur? Menopur can be used at any time of day, but it’s best to inject your dose at the same time each day. This helps keep a steady level of Menopur in your body, which helps it work effectively.
  • What if I miss a dose of Menopur? If you miss a dose of Menopur, call your doctor’s office right away for advice on what to do. You should not take two doses to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects.
  • Will I need to use Menopur long term? During your Menopur treatment, your doctor will monitor you closely to determine how long you should use the drug. You typically won’t use Menopur for more than 20 days in one treatment cycle.
  • How long does Menopur take to work? It could take up to 20 days for Menopur to stimulate eggs to grow and mature in your ovaries.

Overdose

Do not use more Menopur than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

Call your doctor if you think you’ve injected too much Menopur. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Menopur is not known to interact with other medications, herbs, supplements, foods, or alcohol. The manufacturer of Menopur didn’t look at interactions in studies of the drug.

However, interactions with Menopur may be recognized in the future. So before starting Menopur treatment, you should talk with your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Menopur. What you’ll pay for Menopur may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use

Here are a few things to consider regarding cost:

  • Comparing pharmacies: The price of Menopur may vary depending on which pharmacy you use, so it can help to compare prices across pharmacies to find the lowest cost.
  • Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Menopur or help understanding your insurance coverage, help may be available. Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or fertility treatment center.

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The following is important information to consider and discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before using Menopur.

Pregnancy and Menopur

Menopur is prescribed as part of assisted reproductive technology (ART) to help you become pregnant. If you’re already pregnant, you should not use Menopur. The drug can cause fetal harm if used during pregnancy.

Birth control and Menopur

Menopur is used as part of fertility treatment to help you become pregnant. Your doctor may prescribe birth control pills before you start Menopur treatment. This can help with scheduling your fertility treatment. It can also help more eggs develop and mature in response to Menopur.

If your doctor prescribes birth control pills, they’ll explain when to start and stop taking them before using Menopur.

Menopur and breastfeeding

Menopur should not be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor about your options.

Before starting Menopur treatment, discuss your health history with your doctor. Menopur may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • tumors of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
  • tumors of the breast, uterus, or ovaries whose growth is stimulated by estrogen
  • primary ovarian failure (your ovaries can no longer make eggs)
  • personal or family history of blood clots
  • blood disorder that increases the risk of blood clots
  • thyroid, adrenal, or pituitary gland disorders that are not well managed with medication
  • atypical vaginal bleeding where the cause has not been diagnosed
  • ovarian cysts or enlarged ovaries not caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • history of ovarian torsion or ovarian cysts
  • past abdominal surgery
  • obesity
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Menopur, see the “Side effects of Menopur” section.

Other drugs are available for ovarian stimulation. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Menopur, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.

The following drugs are similar to Menopur:

  • follitropin beta (Follistim)
  • follitropin alfa (Gonal-F)
  • urofollitropin (Bravelle)
  • lutropin alfa (Luveris)

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.