Fertility · Injection guide
Cetrotide® (cetrorelix acetate)
A prescription medication used during ovarian stimulation in IVF. Cetrotide® delays ovulation so your clinic controls the timing of your cycle. Here is how it works and exactly how to inject it, reviewed by your pharmacist.
Quick facts
Always follow your clinic's instructions for dose and timing.
What it is
What is Cetrotide®?
Cetrotide® (cetrorelix acetate) blocks the natural hormone GnRH. Normally, GnRH makes the pituitary gland release luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), the hormones that control ovulation.
By stopping GnRH from attaching to its receptors, Cetrotide® temporarily lowers LH and FSH and prevents the natural LH surge that would trigger ovulation. Delaying ovulation gives your doctor more control during fertility treatments like IVF.
Normally
- GnRH
- Pituitary releases LH & FSH
- LH surge
- Ovulation
On Cetrotide®
- GnRH receptors blocked
- LH & FSH stay low
- LH surge delayed
- Your clinic sets the timing
Before you begin
Everything you need, on a clean surface
Storage: always refrigerated between 2–8°C (36–46°F), never frozen, protected from light. Take it out about 30 minutes before injecting so it reaches room temperature.
How to inject Cetrotide®, step by step
Six steps, three phases: prep, mix, inject. Your pharmacist walks you through all of it in person or on the phone whenever you need.
- 1
Prep
Before you begin
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and lay out your supplies on a clean, flat surface. Take the medication out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before use so it reaches room temperature. The injection goes into the lower abdomen, at least one inch away from the belly button; use a different spot each day to reduce irritation.
- 2
Mix
Prepare the solution
Remove the protective caps from the vial and syringe. Clean the rubber top of the vial with an alcohol swab and let it dry. Attach the yellow-marked needle, inject the sterile water into the vial, and gently swirl until the solution is completely clear. Keep the needle in the vial and withdraw the full dose.
Pharmacist tip: Swirl, don’t shake. Shaking creates bubbles and can damage the medication.
- 3
Mix
Switch needles and remove air
Carefully remove the yellow needle and attach the gray-marked injection needle. Hold the syringe upright, flick it gently so air bubbles rise, and push the plunger slightly until a small drop appears at the needle tip.
- 4
Inject
Choose and clean the site
Pick a spot on your lower abdomen at least one inch from the belly button, a different one than yesterday. Clean the area with an alcohol swab and let it dry.
Pharmacist tip: Rotating sites daily keeps skin irritation down.
- 5
Inject
Give the injection
Remove the cap from the gray needle and hold the syringe like a pencil. Gently pinch the skin to create a small fold, insert the needle at a 90° angle, and slowly press the plunger all the way down. Keep the needle in place for about 5 seconds so the full dose is delivered, then withdraw at the same angle and release the skin.
- 6
After
After the injection
Apply gentle pressure with a clean swab until any bleeding stops. Discard the syringe and both needles immediately in a sharps container. Never reuse needles or syringes.
Watch it done
Prefer to see it before you try it?
Watch the instructional video on preparing and administering the Cetrotide® injection, or call and our pharmacist will walk you through your first dose.
What to expect
Side effects to know about
Common, usually mild
- Short-lasting reactions at the injection site: redness, itching, or swelling
- Nausea
- Headache
Rare, but serious
- Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur even with the first dose
- Women with a history of severe allergic conditions should not use this medication
- Your doctor will review the risks and benefits with you before treatment
Common questions
Cetrotide® FAQ
Something not covered here? Call (905) 235 8820 and a pharmacist will walk you through it.
How should I dispose of used needles and vials?
Place needles and vials in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right away. If you don’t have one, use a heavy-duty plastic container with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid: stable, leak-resistant, and clearly labeled as hazardous waste. Never throw loose needles into household trash.
What should I do if I use too much Cetrotide®?
Contact your doctor immediately. They will decide whether your ovarian stimulation procedure needs to be adjusted.
Can I still use Cetrotide® if it was left in a hot or cold car?
No. Cetrotide® must always be stored in the refrigerator between 2–8°C (36–46°F) and protected from light. If it has been exposed to extreme heat or cold, do not use it.
What should I know before starting Cetrotide®?
Your doctor will confirm that you are not pregnant before beginning treatment. Cetrotide® should not be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, since its effects on nursing mothers and infants are not known.
Other guides
The rest of your protocol, explained
Cetrotide® in your protocol?
We dispense it the same day your clinic sends the prescription, deliver across the GTA, and counsel you through your first injection.