OTHER MEDICATIONS IN FERTILITY CARE
Additional treatments that may support your fertility journey, from vitamins to hormone therapies, tailored to your individual needs.
Why these medicines are sometimes used
Alongside your main IVF medications, you may be prescribed additional treatments to support different aspects of your care. These may include vitamins, steroids, hormone supplements, or medicines to reduce specific risks.
On this page, we’ve outlined some of the other medicines sometimes used in fertility treatment. Each section explains what the medicine does, how it’s taken, possible side effects, and when to contact us if you have concerns.
Your exact prescription will be tailored to you, and you’ll find your personalised schedule and instructions in the Care Fertility treatment companion app, Salve. If you’re ever unsure or worried about how you’re feeling, our team is only a call or message away.
Aspirin (low dose)
Active ingredient: Aspirin (75–100mg)
Available form: Tablets
Aspirin is commonly used in heart and vascular care. In IVF it is sometimes used off label to improve blood flow to the implantation site. It’s thought to improve blood flow to the womb lining, which may support implantation in selected patients.
Keep in a cool, dry place below 25°C, in its original packaging.
Take by mouth with food, at the times and dose shown in your treatment companion app, Salve.
- Common: Nausea, heartburn, upset stomach, decreased appetite.
- Uncommon: Mild bleeding or microscopic blood in stools.
- Rare: Allergic reactions – swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or difficulty breathing (seek urgent medical help).
Do not take aspirin if you have a history of stomach ulcers, stomach inflammation, or bleeding disorders.
Prednisolone
Active ingredient: Prednisolone (5mg)
Available form: Tablets
Prednisolone is a corticosteroid that helps suppress abnormal immune responses. It can reduce immune reactions that may affect implantation or pregnancy.
Keep in a cool, dry place below 25°C, in its original packaging.
Take orally at the times and dosage shown in your treatment companion app, Salve. Do not stop suddenly without medical advice.
- Common: Mood changes, insomnia, increased appetite, indigestion, fluid retention.
- Uncommon: High blood pressure, raised blood sugar, weight gain, easy bruising, acne.
- Rare: Serious allergic reactions (seek urgent medical help).
If taken for more than 3 weeks, you will receive a blue “steroid card” – keep this with you.
Dexamethasone
Active ingredient: Dexamethasone (0.5–2mg)
Available form: Tablets
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressing effects. It may be prescribed for patients with diminished ovarian reserve to support ovarian function.
Keep in a cool, dry place below 25°C. Do not refrigerate.
Take orally with water at the times and dosage shown in your treatment companion app, Salve.
- Common: Mood changes, insomnia, indigestion, headaches.
- Uncommon: Vision changes, muscle weakness, irregular bleeding.
- Rare: Severe allergic reactions – swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or difficulty breathing (seek urgent medical help).
Melatonin
Active ingredient: Melatonin (2mg)
Available form: Tablets
What is it?
Melatonin is a natural hormone that regulates sleep and other body processes.
Why is it used in fertility treatment?
It may improve egg quality, embryo development, and implantation rates in some patients.
Keep in a cool, dry place below 25°C in its original packaging.
Take orally at night (on an empty stomach), at the times and dosage shown in your treatment companion app, Salve.
- Common: Daytime drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, vivid dreams, mild stomach upset.
- Uncommon: Irritability, dry mouth, skin reactions.
- Rare: Allergic reactions (seek urgent medical help).
Avoid alcohol and smoking while taking Melatonin.
Cabergoline
Active ingredient: Cabergoline (0.5mg)
Available form: Tablets
Cabergoline is a dopamine agonist that helps reduce prolactin levels and prevent complications. It’s used to lower the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
Keep in a cool, dry place below 25°C in its original packaging.
Take orally with food, at the times and dosage shown in your treatment companion app, Salve.
- Common: Dizziness, nausea, indigestion, constipation, headaches.
- Uncommon: Fatigue, low blood pressure, weakness.
- Rare: Allergic reactions (seek urgent medical help).
Testosterone gel
Active ingredient: Testosterone (varies by product)
Available form: Topical gel
What is it?
Testosterone is a natural hormone that supports sexual function, bone health, and ovarian activity.
Why is it used in fertility treatment?
Testosterone priming may improve ovarian response and pregnancy rates in some women.
Keep in a cool, dry place below 25°C. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
Apply trans dermally to the abdomen or inner thighs (alternating sites daily), exactly as shown in your treatment companion app, Salve. Wash hands after application.
- Very common: Mild skin irritation at the application site.
- Common: Swelling of hands or feet, increased body hair growth, breast enlargement.
- Rare: Allergic reactions (seek urgent medical help).
Indometacin
Active ingredient: Indometacin (25–50mg)
Available form: Capsules
Indometacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It can help prevent premature ovulation during stimulation.
Keep in a cool, dry place below 25°C.
Take orally at the times and dosage shown in your treatment companion app, Salve.
- Common: Nausea, headaches, dizziness, mild stomach upset.
- Uncommon: Sensitivity to sunlight, hair thinning, mild rashes.
- Rare: Allergic reactions or severe gastrointestinal issues – black stools, vomiting blood (seek urgent medical help).
Do not take if you have asthma, stomach ulcers, or a history of NSAID allergy.
Folic acid
Active ingredient: Folic acid (0.4mg–5mg)
Available form: Tablets
Folic acid is a B vitamin essential for cell growth and development. It reduces the risk of neural tube defects in pregnancy and supports healthy cell function.
Keep in a cool, dry place below 25°C.
Take one tablet daily, starting before conception and continuing through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
- Common: Mild nausea, bloating, flatulence.
- Rare: Allergic reactions (seek urgent medical help).
Levothyroxine
Active ingredient: Levothyroxine (25–100mg)
Available form: Tablets
What is it?
Levothyroxine is a synthetic thyroid hormone that supports normal metabolism.
Why is it used in fertility treatment?
It helps regulate ovulation, supports early pregnancy, and aids foetal brain development in women with thyroid disorders.
Keep in a cool, dry place below 25°C.
Take with water before breakfast or your first meal of the day, at the times and dosage shown in your treatment companion app, Salve.
- Common: Palpitations, tremors, anxiety, sweating, weight changes.
- Rare: Thyroid crisis – very high temperature, irregular heartbeat, confusion, seizures (seek urgent medical help).
Metformin
Active ingredient: Metformin hydrochloride
Available form: Tablets
Metformin is a biguanide medicine primarily used to treat diabetes. It helps women with polycystic ovaries respond better to stimulation and may lower miscarriage risk.
Keep in a cool, dry place below 25°C.
Take with food, at the times and dosage shown in your treatment companion app, Salve.
- Common: Nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, metallic taste.
- Rare: Lactic acidosis – severe weakness, fast breathing, abdominal pain (seek urgent medical help).
Intralipids
Active ingredient: Fat emulsion (contains soya oil & egg protein)
Available form: Intravenous infusion
Intralipids are sterile fat emulsions given through a drip. They may reduce immune activity in patients with recurrent implantation failure or pregnancy loss linked to high NK cell levels.
Stored and disposed of by the clinic.
Administered through an IV drip in clinic under nursing supervision.
- Common: Mild fever, chills, headache, tiredness, nausea.
- Rare: Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) – breathing difficulties, swelling, fast heartbeat, collapse (seek urgent medical help).
Avoid if allergic to soya, eggs, or peanuts.
When to call Care Fertility
Contact your Care Fertility team immediately if you experience:
- Severe or worsening abdominal pain
- Rapid weight gain or swelling
- Nausea or vomiting that doesn’t improve
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Signs of an allergic reaction: swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing
You can contact us via the Care Fertility treatment companion app, Salve, or call your clinic directly. If you can’t reach us and need urgent medical help, call NHS 111 or attend your nearest A&E.
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