Women undergoing fertility treatment often want to know how the medications in their protocol keep a cycle on track. Cetrorelix is one of the drugs used specifically to prevent an early hormonal surge that could disrupt egg retrieval timing.
Key takeaways
- Cetrorelix is approved to inhibit premature LH surges during controlled ovarian stimulation.
- It is marketed as cetrorelix acetate for injection.
- The drug does not carry a boxed warning.
- More than 140 registered trials have studied cetrorelix, largely in IVF settings.
- The most reported adverse event in safety data is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
What Cetrorelix Is
Cetrorelix belongs to a class of injectable peptides used in assisted reproduction. Its molecular structure (PubChem CID 25074887) reflects a synthetic decapeptide designed to interact with reproductive hormone signaling during fertility cycles.
What Cetrorelix Is Approved For
Cetrorelix acetate for injection is approved for the inhibition of premature LH surges in women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. This use supports fertility protocols by helping control the timing of ovulation during treatment cycles. No boxed warning is associated with this label.
What the Evidence Shows
Cetrorelix has been studied in 142 registered clinical trials. One completed phase 2/3 trial examined endometrial injury and IVF outcome parameters in patients with failed IVF cycles. Other trials have compared cetrorelix-based antagonist protocols against alternative ovarian stimulation approaches, including a terminated study and one with unknown status evaluating outcomes in polycystic ovary syndrome patients undergoing IVF or ICSI.
Reported Side Effects
Reported safety data reflect counts of adverse event reports, not confirmed incidence or causation. The most frequently reported event is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (135 reports), a known risk in ovarian stimulation cycles. Other commonly reported events include drug ineffectiveness, premature ovulation, and spontaneous abortion, along with gastrointestinal and abdominal complaints such as ascites, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and nausea.