PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ — Results of a nationwide survey of infertility patients undergoing an assisted reproductive technology treatment (ART), such as in vitro fertilization, revealed that patients prefer ENDOMETRIN(R) (progesterone) Vaginal Inserts to progesterone-in-oil (PIO) injections, and to all other vaginal progesterone supplements. The reasons cited most frequently for their preference included easy, convenient and pain-free administration.
Adequate progesterone support is considered extremely important for a successful pregnancy. Since natural progesterone production may be compromised by ART, progesterone supplements are used extensively for luteal phase and early pregnancy support. There are several forms: oral, injection, and vaginal — tablet inserts, vaginal capsules, suppositories and gels.
“The survey confirms what we hear all the time from patients — that when they reach the final stage of their IVF treatment, the last thing they want is another series of shots or inconvenient treatments,” said Christine Stroup, RN. “Our patients are very pleased with ENDOMETRIN because it’s simple to use and very convenient.”
“I’ve tried just about every progesterone treatment available, and was so happy to find one that didn’t hurt, like shots, and wasn’t messy, like gels and suppositories,” said Victoria Knapp, IVF patient. “After all those cycles of treatment I went through, it was a relief to find one that was so simple to use.”
The Evaluation of Attitudes and Satisfaction with Endometrin Survey of 212 patients was commissioned by Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. to compare patient satisfaction with ENDOMETRIN, the most recent progesterone supplement to enter the market, with all other progesterone supplements.
Key Survey Findings -- More than 90 percent of patients would recommend ENDOMETRIN to a friend undergoing infertility treatment, 84 percent would request it for their next treatment cycle, and 93 percent found the dosing regimen easy to fit into their daily routine. When asked to describe it in three words, the most common were: "easy, convenient, painless and comfortable." -- The vast majority found the vaginal inserts more convenient (87 percent), comfortable (89 percent), and easier to administer (95 percent) compared with injections, taken by 154 respondents. Of the women who needed a partner to administer the shots, most (65 percent) said their partner felt anxious about it. -- Of the 62 women who used the capsules administered vaginally, most said ENDOMETRIN was more convenient (74 percent), comfortable (nearly 70 percent), and easier to administer (83 percent). -- Patients found suppositories, made by the pharmacy, awkward to administer without an applicator. Of the 83 women who used them, nearly 90 percent said they melted or leaked, and more than half said they caused irritation. -- Nearly 80 percent of the 26 gel users said gel created build-up, nearly 50 percent found gel messy to administer and more than one-third said it caused irritation. -- While 20 of the 40 women who used the oral form preferred the administration convenience of ENDOMETRIN and 13 preferred the oral supplement, the oral form is widely considered less effective than other options. Methodology
Nurses at more than 60 designated fertility centers across the country selected qualified patients who had used or were about to start ENDOMETRIN in an IVF or ovulation induction cycle. Patients must also have used a different progesterone supplement in a previous or current cycle. The survey reflects the patient’s most recent treatment cycle. The majority of the 212 patients were 40-years-old or younger; nearly 40 percent had been in fertility treatment for more than two years.
About ENDOMETRIN
ENDOMETRIN administered as a progesterone vaginal insert is indicated to support embryo implantation and early pregnancy by supplementation of corpus luteal function as part of an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatment for infertile women.
Only physicians thoroughly familiar with infertility treatment should prescribe ENDOMETRIN. In clinical trials (n=808), adverse reactions that occurred at a rate greater than or equal to two percent included: uterine spasm (3% to 4%) and vaginal bleeding (3%). Vaginal irritation, itching, burning or discomfort, urticaria, and peripheral edema were reported at an incidence of less than two percent. ENDOMETRIN is expected to have adverse reactions to other drugs containing progesterone (breast tenderness, bloating, mood swings, irritability, and drowsiness).
About Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Ferring Pharmaceuticals, part of the Ferring Group, a privately owned, international pharmaceutical company, manufactures and markets the largest family of fertility treatments of any manufacturer in the U.S. The Company markets MENOPUR(R) (menotropins for injection, USP), BRAVELLE(R) (urofollitropin for injection, purified), REPRONEX(R) (menotropins for injection, USP), NOVAREL(R) (chorionic gonadotropin for injection, USP) and ENDOMETRIN in the U.S. to infertility specialists and their patients. Ferring also offers the Q?CAP(TM), the first and only needle-free reconstitution device, for use with its fertility treatments.
Ferring’s line of orthopaedic and urology products includes EUFLEXXA(R) (1% sodium hyaluronate) hyaluronic acid for pain from osteoarthritis in the knee and PROSED(R)/DS for the relief of discomfort of the lower urinary tract. Other products include: ACTHREL(R) (corticorelin ovine triflutate for injection) for the differential diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome; and DESMOPRESSIN ACETATE in injectable and rhinal tube forms for the treatment of diabetes insipidus and primary nocturnal enuresis.
The Ferring Group specializes in the research, development and commercialization of compounds in general and pediatric endocrinology, urology, gastroenterology, obstetrics/ gynecology and infertility. For more information, call 888-337-7464 or visit http://www.ferringusa.com/ or http://www.ferringfertility.com/.
Contact Andrea Preston for full prescribing information for ENDOMETRIN.
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
CONTACT: Andrea Preston, Kovak-Likly Communications, +1-203-762-8833,[email protected]
Web Site: http://www.ferringfertility.com/http://www.ferringusa.com/
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