Fertility · Injection guide
Pergoveris® (follitropin alfa + lutropin alfa)
FSH and LH together in one vial, for women whose own levels of both are low. It arrives as a powder with a pre-filled solvent syringe, so there is mixing to do before each dose. Here is how.
Quick facts
Always follow your clinic's instructions for dose and timing.
What it is
What is Pergoveris®?
Pergoveris® combines two hormones in one vial: follitropin alfa, which is FSH, and lutropin alfa, which is LH. They are supplied in a fixed 2:1 ratio — 150 IU of FSH to 75 IU of LH. It is effectively Gonal-F® and Luveris® together in a single preparation.
It is prescribed for women with low levels of both LH and FSH. Without enough of these hormones, the ovaries cannot develop the mature follicles that ovulation requires. Pergoveris® supplies both in balanced amounts: the FSH stimulates follicles to grow and develop, while the LH supports their maturation and helps drive estrogen production.
Because treatment needs monitoring, your clinic will explain how long you will be on it and what appointments to expect, and should discuss the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome with you before you start.
Normally
- Low LH and FSH
- Follicles cannot mature
- No ovulation
On Pergoveris®
- Pergoveris® supplies FSH + LH
- Follicles grow and mature
- Estrogen production supported
- Ovulation becomes possible
Before you begin
Everything you need, on a clean surface
Storage: as directed on the packaging for any unused vials. The reconstituted solution is for immediate use — prepare it when you are ready to inject, not in advance. Do not use a solution that is cloudy or has particles in it.
How to inject Pergoveris®, step by step
Five steps. The mixing is straightforward here: one vial, one solvent syringe, and it goes in as soon as it is dissolved.
- 1
Prep
Before you begin
Wash your hands thoroughly. Check that the powder vial and the solvent syringe are both intact and in date. Lay out your needles, alcohol swabs, gauze and sharps container on a clean surface.
- 2
Mix
Reconstitute the powder
Remove the protective cap from the solvent syringe and attach the mixing needle. Inject all of the solvent into the vial of Pergoveris® powder. Swirl the vial gently until the powder has completely dissolved. The solution should be clear and free of particles before you use it.
Pharmacist tip: Swirl, do not shake. If the solution stays cloudy or you can see particles, do not inject it — discard it and prepare a new vial.
- 3
Mix
Use it straight away
The reconstituted solution is meant to be used immediately after preparation, not mixed in advance and set aside. If your doctor has prescribed Pergoveris® alongside another gonadotropin such as recombinant FSH, they may instruct you to combine them for a customised dose — always confirm compatibility and the exact dosing with your healthcare provider before mixing anything together.
- 4
Inject
Give the injection
Draw the prescribed dose into a new sterile syringe. Choose a site, typically the lower abdomen or upper thigh, and clean it with an alcohol swab. Pinch a small fold of skin and insert the needle at a 90° angle, then inject slowly and steadily under the skin. Withdraw the needle and press lightly with sterile gauze if you need to.
Pharmacist tip: Inject at about the same time every day, and change the injection site every day.
- 5
After
After the injection
Put needles and syringes into a puncture-resistant sharps container. Store any unused vials as directed. Never reuse a needle or syringe, and never share your medication with anyone else.
What to expect
Side effects to know about
Common, usually mild
- Redness or discomfort at the injection site
- Headache
- Abdominal pain or bloating
Rare, but serious
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): severe abdominal pain, marked bloating, nausea, vomiting or rapid weight gain — contact your clinic immediately
- Multiple pregnancy is a recognised risk of ovarian stimulation
- Your clinic should discuss the risk of OHSS and other reactions with you before treatment begins
Common questions
Pergoveris® FAQ
Something not covered here? Call (905) 235 8820 and a pharmacist will walk you through it.
How is Pergoveris® different from Gonal-F® or Rekovelle®?
Pergoveris® contains both FSH and LH. Gonal-F® and Rekovelle® contain FSH only. That makes Pergoveris® suitable for women with low natural LH levels, or who have not responded well to FSH on its own.
How soon will I see a response?
It varies from person to person. Your clinic will track follicle growth with ultrasound and hormone testing, usually within several days of starting treatment.
Can I inject it myself?
Yes, once your healthcare provider has trained you. Only self-inject when you feel genuinely confident in both the mixing and the injection technique — and call us if you would like to talk a step through first.
What if I miss a dose?
Do not double the next one. Contact your fertility specialist right away and they will tell you how to proceed.
Can I mix it with my other injection to save a needle?
Sometimes, but only on your doctor’s specific instruction. Some gonadotropins are compatible in the same syringe and some are not, so confirm with your provider before combining anything.
Where this comes from
Checked against the official record
Every clinical statement on this page was checked against the sources below, then reviewed by our pharmacist. If something here does not match what your clinic told you, follow your clinic and call us.
Other guides
The rest of your protocol, explained
Stimulation · FSH
Gonal-F
Read the guide →Stimulation · FSH + LH
Menopur
Read the guide →Stimulation · FSH
Rekovelle
Read the guide →Stimulation · LH
Luveris
Read the guide →Antagonist
Cetrotide
Read the guide →Antagonist
Orgalutran
Read the guide →Trigger shot
Ovidrel
Read the guide →Trigger shot
Pregnyl (hCG)
Read the guide →Pergoveris® 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.