Improved IVF drug reduces stress of daily injections

An improved IVF drug which reduces the stress of daily injections is reaping success for a Queensland fertility specialist – one of his first patients to undergo the new treatment has delivered a healthy baby boy.

City Fertility Centre’s Dr Andrew Davidson said the new Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) drug, Elonva, was a slow release follicle stimulant.

“With this new drug, the patient only undergoes one FSH injection during the first week, compared with daily injections with other drugs.

“Daily injections can make people anxious, and so we are pleased to reduce the burden of treatment,” he said.

With traditional IVF treatment, women usually commence daily injections from day 2 or 3 for up to 10 to 12 days, while the new treatment requires only a single injection for the first week.

Dr Davidson said the new drug was a definite advancement and improvement in IVF treatment for patients.

He emphasised that Elonva was only suitable for certain patients, with the main deciding factors being weight, age, whether they have suffered polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and any previous response to IVF.

Gold Coast couple Jody and Mark Witchard were one of the first in Australia to use the new drug when undergoing IVF.

Jody had been unsuccessful in falling pregnant after Mark underwent a vasectomy reversal and had agreed at the outset that if it didn’t work they would not pursue having a baby any further.

However, Mrs Witchard said that while they both had children from previous relationships they really wanted a baby together and just had to give IVF a try.

“The thought of daily needles did not sit well with me so when Dr Davidson suggested trying Elonva it was an easy decision,” Ms Witchard said.

Mr and Mrs Witchard’s baby boy Corben is now seven months old and a bundle of joy, according to the doting parents.

Dr Davidson said he now regularly prescribes the new drug for suitable patients.

“In the past one of the top reasons people did not proceed with IVF was due to anxiety about the needles, so any advancement in IVF treatment that reduces the stress on the patient should be applauded,” he said.