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Cetrorelix (Cetrotide)

Cetrorelix Acetate (Ac-D-Nal(2)-D-Cpa-D-Pal(3)-Ser-Tyr-D-Cit-Leu-Arg-Pro-D-Ala-NH2)

FDA Approved

Approved status applies to specific products, routes, and indications, not every use context discussed online.

An FDA-approved injection (Cetrotide) used during IVF (in vitro fertilization) to prevent the body from releasing eggs too early, allowing fertility doctors to control precisely when ovulation occurs.

16 studiesUpdated 2026-03-10Subcutaneous
Clinical bottom lineApproved

Cetrorelix (Cetrotide) is FDA-approved.

Use according to current labeled indication and prescribing guidance.

Safety Summary

In clinical studies of 949 patients, reported adverse events (≥1%) were OHSS (3.5%, moderate-severe), nausea (1.3%), and headache (1.1%). Injection site reactions were transient, mild, and short-duration (FDA label ANDA218150). Enzyme elevations (ALT, AST, GGT, alkaline phosphatase) found in 1-2% of patients, up to 3x upper limit of normal; clinical significance not determined (FDA label ANDA218150). Post-marketing: cases of hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactoid reactions reported. One severe anaphylactic reaction (cough, rash, hypotension) observed in a patient after 7 months of treatment at 10mg/day for a non-infertility indication (FDA label ANDA218150). Single doses up to 120mg were tolerated without overdosage signs (FDA label ANDA218150). In a 2025 retrospective cohort (n=9,424), OHSS incidence was lower with cetrorelix than ganirelix (0.4% vs 1.1%, p=0.01), though this comparison was observational PMID 40297130. FDA FAERS data show 156 reports of OHSS, 42 drug ineffective, 40 spontaneous abortion, 40 premature ovulation, 28 each for abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and ascites (FDA FAERS data). Community reports from online communities confirm mild injection site rashes/itching resolving within an hour as the most common complaint, with occasional headaches, bloating, and fatigue.

Clinical check-in

If real-world use or exposure is being considered, review potential interactions, contraindications, and monitoring needs with a licensed clinician rather than relying on summary copy alone.

See cited studies on this page (16)

Cited sources

Every claim on this page links to one of the 16 sources below. Identifiers are PubMed (PMID), ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT), or DOI; click through to the source of record before acting on a claim.

  1. 1FDA Label: Cetrorelix Acetate for Injection -- Prescribing InformationReference
  2. 2PMID 8062939PubMed
  3. 3PMID 9130900PubMed
  4. 4PMID 16009165PubMed
  5. 5PMID 16537563PubMed
  6. 6PMID 40297130PubMed
  7. 7PMID 41458598PubMed
  8. 8PMID 41395811PubMed
  9. 9PMID 40593190PubMed
  10. 10PMID 37850848PubMed
  11. 11PMID 40386934PubMed
  12. 12doi:10.1203/00006450-200010000-00009DOI
  13. 13doi:10.1517/14656566.7.15.2155DOI
  14. 14doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20233289DOI
  15. 15doi:10.1007/s00404-025-07932-9DOI
  16. 16PMID 37223762PubMed