VialOwlLibrary / Hormonal
Cetrorelix
Also known as Cetrotide
Approved medicine
Gonadotrophin releasing hormone antagonist decapeptide. Approved to prevent premature LH surges during IVF stimulation.
Prescription medicine. Only a prescriber can decide whether a medicine suits you and at what dose. This page is information, not a recommendation.
Background
A synthetic decapeptide gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist developed from native GnRH with five amino acid changes. It was approved in the United States in 2000 as Cetrotide for use in IVF.
How it is thought to work
It competes with the body's own GnRH at the pituitary gland, quickly lowering the release of LH (and to a lesser extent FSH). This prevents an early LH surge and premature ovulation during ovarian stimulation.
What is claimed, and the evidence
| Claim | Evidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Preventing premature LH surges during controlled ovarian stimulation (IVF) | Approved use | Approved by the FDA and TGA for women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. |
Side effects
| Effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Injection site reactions (redness, bruising, itching, swelling) | Frequency unknown | Reported in clinical studies as usually mild and short lived; the label gives no rate. |
| Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (moderate or severe) Serious | Uncommon | 3.5% in clinical studies; this occurs in the context of ovarian stimulation drugs used alongside it. |
| Nausea and headache | Uncommon | Nausea 1.3% and headache 1.1% in clinical studies. |
| Allergic reactions including anaphylactoid reactions Serious | Case reports | Reported after marketing. |
Warnings
- Pregnancy must be excluded before use; contraindicated in pregnancy, breastfeeding and severe kidney impairment.
- Should be prescribed by doctors experienced in fertility treatment.
- Serious allergic reactions have been reported after marketing.
Regulatory status
- Australia
- Approved (ARTG, cetrorelix products).
- United States
- FDA approved (Cetrotide, 2000; generic versions) to prevent premature ovulation during ovarian stimulation.
Sources
- DailyMed: Cetrotide (cetrorelix acetate for injection) label
- TGA ARTG search: cetrorelix
- Drugs@FDA: Cetrotide (cetrorelix)
Also in Hormonal
From the VialOwl library, reviewed 26 September 2026. For education and general information. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use Cetrorelix.