Should I use expired Gonal F?

[Anonymous]

It just expired in August 2011 and I will start injections on October 10th. (It is unopened, samples from my nurse given to me in July). My nurse said it should be fine to use at least up to one month past the expiration date but to ask the Pharmacy. Of course the Pharmacy just said to go with the expiration date the manufacturer suggests. This is my first medicated IVF cycle and the rest of my medication is costing me $2,200 so it's tempting to use the samples just because I think it will otherwise cost us another $1,500. My gut tells me it should still be fine to use, just a little over a month past expiration. But, I'd like to hear others similar experiences and thoughts. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I have had the same dilemma. In the end, it made me too nervous, and I did not use expired meds. My RE said not to, though nurse said it was ok. I chose to believe the doc. I knew if the procudure was bfn that I would always secong guess myself for using expired meds. Forking over more $ is painful, though! My meds cost me $6,000! despite my efforts so far, I never got pregnant. Still working on it as a single =erson using donor sperm. Good luck, and I would ask your doctor, not the nurse.

[Anonymous]

If the meds are unopened and recently expired, then you should not have an issue. I used expired Menopur on a cycle that resulted in a BFP. Another suggestion is to use the expired meds towards the end of your cycle, as the recruiting of follicles is complete.

[Anonymous]

PP, OP here, I have enough of the samples for my whole cycle. How long ago had the Menopur expired after you used it? ( I am combining both Gonal F and Menopur for the whole 10-12 days of stimming and only the Gonal F is expired)

[Anonymous]

The Menopur I used was six months expired. I had some that was unexpired and I would use a vial or two of the expired with the unexpired each day. And, I was using it with Gonal-f as well.

Is the Gonal-f a pen or the powder that has to be reconsitituted? If it's the powder, then I really would not be concerned about using it if it hasn't been mixed and is that recently expired. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I've used expired meds before (3-6 months) and had the same reaction as in the months I used current meds. As long as they were stored appropriately, I wouldn't worry at all. If you are concerned, I agree that maybe you should buy some new and mix.

[Anonymous]

When I've had similar issues (about storage of IVF meds when the power went out), I've called the pharmacist and asked her opinion. They have access to info that may or may not be in the insert.

You might also try calling the company (or ask pharm. about how you might find out).

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

It's fine, the dates are really good 6-12 months in the case of hormonal meds, but if we were talking about epinephrine then I'd day NO!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone for your input. The medicine is powder form and I've decided to use it since it's barely expired.

[Anonymous]

OP, you should be about done with stims - how did this turn out?

I think the general idea here is that it's not a firm end at the expiration date. They don't become non-effective at that date, they may slowly lose their effectiveness though, but a few months shouldn't have made a difference. Curious to see how it turned out.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes, I am done stimming and it turned out great. So, I guess the medicine was still effective. I had my ER on Sat. They retrieved 12 eggs, 10 were mature and as of yesterday 8 were dividing normally.

[Anonymous]

Congrats! Keep us updated. You are our poster child for expired meds not having to be trashed - ha ha!

[Anonymous]

OP here, quick update: we transfered 2 high quality advanced blastocysts on Saturday. There are 5 others that we are letting go to day 5 or 6 before freezing. 3 of them look like good prospects. Now the never ending 2ww. The dr.s and embryologists seem pleased w the quality of the embryos. Wish me luck!

[Anonymous]

Oops, the transfer was day 5 and yesterday, thur

[Anonymous]

OP here. Oh, boy- I think it might have worked. I see a faint line on a HPT this morning! (7dp5dt)