GnRH Agonists - Lupron, taken as an injection just below the skin and Synarel, a nasal spray, allow the body to produce a greater number of high quality eggs during the treatment cycle. They also prevent the midcycle hormonal surge that can result in the cancellation of a cycle.
Antagonists - Antagon and Cetrotide are antagonists of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and are used to prevent premature ovulation. These medications are given by injection and the duration of treatment is usually three or four days.
Gonadotropins - Gonadotropins are taken as subcutaneous injections that provide stimulation to the follicles that contain the eggs during the stimulation phase. Gonal F, Bravelle, Follistim, Pergonal and Repronex are the most commonly used gonadotropins.
hCG - hCGs are taken as an intramuscular injection and are used to induce the final maturational changes in the eggs and prepare them for retrieval. The most commonly prescribed hCGs are Pregnyl, Profasi and Novarel.
Medrol - Medrol is a steroid hormone given daily, typically for a period of four days during the cycle, to assist pre-embryo implantation.
Doxycycline - Doxycycline, an antibiotic administered in pill form, is given to the male partner during the wife's stimulation cycle to reduce the low levels of bacteria that may be found in the semen and which may compromise the performance of the sperm during an IVF cycle. It is also given to the female partner to reduce the risk of infection following aspiration of the follicles at the time of egg retrieval.
Progesterone - Natural Progesterone may be taken as a daily intramuscular injection beginning two days after egg retrieval and continuing until the placenta is making adequate amounts of Progesterone. Progesterone can also be given in the form of a vaginal gel or vaginal suppositories or pills (Prometrium).