IVF Medication

[Rosie1]

Hi there,
Was wondering about the chance of undergoing a donor egg cycle and any medication I would be able to take while breastfeeding.The protocol is diphereline depot injection and then a pretty high dose of utrogestran until test date if negative and up to week 14 of pregnancy if positive. Is there any medication I could substitute these meds for, while still retaining same chance of a sucessful cycle? Would I be better having a frozen embryo transfer later on this year when my daughter is weaned?
Thank you Rosie

[cpride]

Dear Rosie1,

Diphereline (triptorelin pamoate) is an analog of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone. It is highly unlikely that this agent would penetrate into breastmilk because it is a very large molecule. Also, it is not orally bioavailable (not absorbed through the GI system) so it is unlikely to harm a breastfeeding infant. Continuous use in breastfeeding mothers would ultimately lead to reduced ovulation and sex steroids, but it sounds like you would only get one injection so that shouldn't be an issue. It is difficult to discern if there would be an effect on your breastmilk production as the drug was shown to increase prolactin levels in a study on males (prolactin usually increases milk production). Caution is recommended until more is known about this agent. Utrogestran (progesterone) is a naturally occurring steroid produced by the ovaries. Progesterone has been known to decrease milk supply in some mothers. Since you are taking a large dose, there may be an increased risk for decreasing milk production. Also, becoming pregnant will begin to decrease your breastmilk supply because of hormonal influences. Progesterone is poorly absorbed in the GI tract so the infant would not be expected to absorb large amounts. If your child is younger than one year, and you want to continue exclusively breastfeeding, you may want to wait until weaning. If your child is over one year and milk supply isn't an issue, then these two medications are probably compatible with breastfeeding. You may want to talk with your child's pediatrician to see if he/she has any concerns. Hope this information is helpful.

Sincerely,
Cindy Pride, MSN, CPNP
TTUHSC InfantRisk Center

[Rosie1]

Hi Cindy, Thank you so much for your reply. Am delaying transfer until I am happier about weaning my baby so the drugs are no longer and isssue for me, Thank God!

[mommyto2cuties]

Hi,
I have a 18 month old daughter conceived via ivf who breastfeeds only 2 times a day. I am hoping to do a fresh ivf cycle and I have looked up most of the meds from my old protocol but can't seem to find anything on Suprefact Nasal Spray (buserelin acetate) as I have an older version. Wondering what it's rating is? The other meds in my protocol (menopur, repronex, trigger hcg shot, estrace, and prometrium) appear to have low risk of harm for my toddler (although may affect my milk supply). Thanks in advance!