If you’re undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, you will most likely be prescribed fertility medications. While all these have various purposes in the treatment cycle, the cost will entirely depend on your own personal circumstances.
Here’s an overview of the commonly used fertility drugs in IVF treatments and how much you can expect to pay.
Medications before IVF
Before the start of your IVF cycle, you may be prescribed birth control pills. They can influence your menstrual cycle and help the body respond better to ovarian-stimulating drugs.
Pre-cycle hormonal birth control should always be prescribed and monitored by fertility specialists as they may not be suitable for some patients (such as women of advanced maternal age or women with high blood pressure and aura migraines).
Fertility drugs during IVF
Ovarian stimulation
Ovarian-stimulating medicines stimulate the growth of multiple ovarian follicles (fluid-filled sacs where eggs grow). The most common types of gonadotropins are combined urine-derived FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone), recombinant FSH, and combined recombinant FSH and LH. They are usually administered subcutaneously (underneath the skin) several times a day depending on your protocol.
Ovulation suppression
Ovulation inhibitors are a type of fertility drugs that prevent premature ovulation in IVF cycles, allowing more time for eggs to mature before egg retrieval. Drugs that are used to prevent ovulation usually contain GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) agonists which inhibit the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Sometimes, ovulation-suppressing medications are used to synchronize the patient’s cycle with the donor’s cycle in IVF egg donation treatments.
Trigger shot
Once the ovarian follicles reach the right size, a final human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection (trigger shot) will be administered to stimulate the release of the mature egg(s) from the ovaries (ovulation). Timing of trigger shots is in line with the egg development. These medications are administered intramuscularly (directly into the muscle) or subcutaneously 36 hours before the egg retrieval procedure.
Additional medications
To prepare your body for the pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe supplements before and during treatment. Maintaining a healthy level of vitamins is crucial — they can help provide extra nutrients and reduce the risks of birth defects. Women are usually recommended to take daily prenatal vitamins with folic acid at least one month before IVF. There may be additional supplements that you may need. To be safe, talk to your fertility doctor about the medications that would be most effective for you.
Cost of IVF drugs
Once the EuroCARE IVF specialist has reviewed your test results and determined the appropriate dose for you, he’ll estimate the approximate cost of the medication required during and after treatment. Although prices of fertility drugs vary, expect to pay anywhere from £150 to £1,500, depending on your needs and type of protocol.
If you’re travelling to Cyprus for IVF, keep in mind that medication costs are not included in the treatment package price. Always ask your doctor to recommend alternatives if the prescribed drug isn’t working.
How to save on IVF drugs?
To pay less for IVF medications, search for multiple pharmacies and websites and look for the best deals. In addition, follow these tips to reduce the potential cost of your treatment:
- Review your insurance plan
- Talk to our specialist to explore alternative therapies (e.g. generic medicines)
- Look for IVF grants and financing options
- See if you’re eligible for any tax deductions
Make the best decisions for your treatment with EuroCARE IVF
IVF drugs are commonly used in IVF treatments to promote egg production or influence ovulation. They work best if you’ve been properly diagnosed and are taking the right medication(s) for your cycle.
If you’ve decided to start IVF treatment abroad, we offer guidance and advice to help you make wise decisions so the process will be as stress-free as possible. Make your first step on your IVF journey today by booking a free online video consultation with the EuroCARE IVF expert team, and get answers to all your questions in minutes!