Procrin (leuprorelin): what is it and what is it for?

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Procrin (leuprorelin acetate) is an agonist analog of GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) that serves to prevent spontaneous ovulation in assisted reproduction treatments. It is included among the medicines of the ovarian stimulation process, intended to increase the chances of pregnancy.

Below you have an index with all the points that we will discuss in this article.

Index

Procrin (leuprorelin): What is it and what is it for?

Composition and mechanism of action

The active substance in this drug is leuprorelin acetate, an agonist analog of GnRH. Its excipients are sodium chloride, benzyl alcohol and water for injection.

Its function in assisted reproduction treatments is to inhibit the secretion of pituitary gonadotropins: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Thanks to this drug, it is possible to control the function of the ovaries in the ovarian stimulation cycles. The LH peak that would occur in a natural cycle and that would cause spontaneous ovulation is avoided.

If there was a spontaneous ovulation in one of these treatments, the cycle would have to be canceled, since we could not obtain the ovules to fertilize them in the laboratory

In the stimulation cycles, exogenous gonadotropins (FSH, LH) are also administered, which will be responsible for controlling follicular development. Thanks to the combination of GnRH analogues and exogenous gonadotropins, it is possible to mature more than one ovule per cycle, which is what would occur in a natural cycle.

In addition, this drug also allows to control the function of the ovaries in patients with ovarian function before carrying out the transfer of frozen embryos or ovodonation cycles. The purpose is to facilitate that the endometrium is in optimal conditions for embryo implantation to occur.



Presentation

Procrin has different presentations:

  • Procrin 1 mg / 0.2 ml: contains a multidose vial with 2.8 ml of solution for injection.
  • Monthly Procrin: contains a pre-filled syringe with 3.75 mg of powder and solvent for suspension for injection.
  • Quarterly Procrin: contains a pre-filled syringe with 11.25 mg of powder and solvent for suspension for injection.
  • Half-yearly Procrin: contains a pre-filled syringe with 30 mg of powder and solvent for suspension for injection.

The presentations used in assisted reproduction treatments are 1 mg / 0.2 ml and monthly.

Procrin 1 mg / 0.2 ml

Indications

This drug is indicated in women who undergo assisted reproduction treatments in which it is necessary to perform an ovarian stimulation:

  • In vitro fertilization (IVF) with own eggs
  • Donors of ovules
  • Artificial insemination (rare)

It is also used to control ovarian function before transferring frozen embryos or ovodonation cycles.

In addition, it is indicated in patients with endometriosis, with uterine fibroids, with precocious puberty or with advanced prostate cancer.

How is it administered?

The Procrin that is administered in the assisted reproduction treatments is injected subcutaneously, in the tissue located immediately below the skin. It is usually done in the abdominal area.

Subcutaneous administration of Procrin

The package also contains syringes with needle and isopropyl alcohol wipes, which will be used for the correct administration of the drug: before performing the injection, it is advisable to clean the area.

In the case of the daily presentation of the drug, the solution that is injected is already prepared in the vial. The dose that the gynecologist has indicated will be aspirated directly with the syringe.

In contrast, the monthly Procrin comes in a pre-filled syringe. To prepare the injection, you have to screw the plunger and slowly release the diluent until the initial part of the plug reaches the blue line in the middle of the cylinder of the syringe.

Once mixed evenly, the suspension has to be administered immediately.

As with other products administered subcutaneously, it is recommended to change the injection point of the dose every day to protect the skin.

It is also recommended that the first dose be injected in the presence of the gynecologist or the nurse of the reproduction clinic. In this way, it is ensured that the patient self-injects the drug correctly during the entire treatment.

Another factor to keep in mind is that the moments of the day to apply the injection must be kept constant throughout the treatment.

Contraindications

This medicine should not be administered in case of hypersensitivity to the active substance, to other GnRH analogs or to any of the excipients.

Due to the hormonal alterations it causes, this drug can cause spontaneous abortions, so it should not be administered to pregnant women or who may be pregnant. It is unknown if it is excreted in breast milk, so it should not be used during the period of lactation.

Neither should be administered to those patients who have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding or to men who have undergone orchiectomy before (total or partial removal of the testicle) or who have prostate cancer with spinal cord compression or evidence of spinal metastasis.

Possible side effects

Like other medicines, Procrin can have adverse effects, although not all patients suffer or need to present the same.

In the case of women who have undergone assisted reproduction treatments, the adverse effects after the administration of this drug are related to the hyperestrogenic state, which is generally short after an ovarian stimulation treatment. Side effects are:

  • Psychiatric disorders: emotional instability, insomnia, mood swings and depression (they are frequent in prolonged treatments and infrequent short treatments).
  • Alterations of the nervous system: headache.
  • Vascular alterations: redness of the skin, especially of the face.
  • Alterations of the reproductive system and the breast: uterine bleeding, menstruation of more than 7 days or very abundant (menorrhagia), ovarian cysts.

In 20-30% of the cycles ovarian cysts appear after 1-3 weeks of treatment. These cysts can be eliminated by continuing treatment with Procrin or, if not, with an ultrasound-guided transvaginal puncture.

In longer treatments with this drug (6-12 months), other more serious side effects may appear, such as osteoporosis or diabetes mellitus.

Questions from users

How much does Procrin cost for assisted reproduction treatments?

The daily presentation price, of 1 mg / 0.2 ml (2.8 ml), is ? 31.05. The monthly one (3.75 mg) is 68.64 ?. However, if the treatment is performed by Social Security, its price will be reduced. Keep in mind that a prescription is necessary to buy this medication.

Does it have to be kept in a refrigerator?

So that its therapeutic properties are not altered, it is recommended that it be stored at a temperature below 25ºC. It should not be frozen and should be protected from light.

Is Procrin the same as Decapeptyl?

They are not the same, since the active principles are different: leuprorelin acetate in the case of Procrin and triptorelin in that of Decapeptyl. However, both drugs are agonist analogs of GnRH, so their effect on assisted reproduction treatments will be the same. However, always follow the indications of the specialist and not modify the treatment guidelines.


freezing of ovarian tissue in Alava(Spain)

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