When Your Pharmacy Can't Fill Your Menopur Prescription

Getting a call from your pharmacy saying they can't fill your Menopur prescription is stressful — especially when you're counting down the days to your IVF cycle start. But before you panic, know this: there are effective alternatives your reproductive endocrinologist can consider.

In this guide, we'll explain what Menopur does, how it works, and walk you through the most common alternative medications that may be used in its place.

What Is Menopur and What Does It Do?

Menopur is the brand name for Menotropins, a fertility injectable made by Ferring Pharmaceuticals. It contains two key reproductive hormones:

• FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) — stimulates your ovaries to grow multiple follicles
• LH (luteinizing hormone) — supports the follicles and helps with estrogen production

These hormones work together to prepare your ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs, which is essential for IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies. To learn more, check out our detailed explanation of how Menopur works.

How Does Menopur Work?

Menopur is derived from the urine of postmenopausal women, which naturally contains high levels of FSH and LH. After purification, these hormones are formulated into an injectable medication. When injected subcutaneously (under the skin), they mimic the signals your brain normally sends to your ovaries — but at higher levels, encouraging the growth of many follicles rather than the single one your body would usually produce each month.

Your doctor monitors your response with blood tests (estradiol levels) and ultrasounds to track follicle growth, adjusting your dose as needed. A typical course lasts 5 to 12 days.

Alternatives to Menopur

If you can't get Menopur, your doctor has several proven options. Here are the most commonly used alternatives:

1. Gonal-F (Follitropin Alfa)

Gonal-F is one of the most widely prescribed fertility medications in the world. It's a recombinant (lab-made) form of FSH, meaning it's produced using genetic engineering rather than derived from human urine.

• How it's different from Menopur: Gonal-F contains only FSH — no LH activity. For many patients, this works just fine. If your doctor determines you need supplemental LH, they can add it separately (usually with low-dose hCG).
• Delivery: Comes in a convenient pre-filled pen, making self-injection easier
• Availability: Generally more available than Menopur due to recombinant manufacturing
• Cost: Similar to Menopur; roughly $80 to $120 per 75 IU equivalent

2. Follistim AQ (Follitropin Beta)

Follistim AQ is another recombinant FSH product, very similar to Gonal-F in how it works.

• How it's different from Menopur: Like Gonal-F, it's FSH-only with no LH component
• Delivery: Uses a cartridge-and-pen delivery system (the Follistim Pen)
• Availability: Generally more available than Menopur
• Cost: Comparable pricing to Gonal-F, roughly $80 to $120 per 75 IU equivalent

3. Pergoveris (Follitropin Alfa + Lutropin Alfa)

Pergoveris is the closest pharmacologic match to Menopur among recombinant options. It combines both FSH and LH in a single injection — just like Menopur does, but made through recombinant technology instead of urinary extraction.

• How it's different from Menopur: Same hormones, different source. Pergoveris is lab-made, which can mean more consistent supply
• Delivery: Pre-filled pen for subcutaneous injection
• Availability: Available in the U.S. but less commonly stocked than Gonal-F or Follistim
• Cost: Typically higher than single-hormone products; check with your pharmacy

4. Combination Protocol: Gonal-F or Follistim + Low-Dose hCG

Many reproductive endocrinologists create a "DIY Menopur" by combining a recombinant FSH product (Gonal-F or Follistim) with low-dose hCG to provide LH-like activity. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) binds to the same receptor as LH and can effectively replace Menopur's LH component.

• How it works: The FSH product handles follicle growth while low-dose hCG provides the LH support that Menopur would normally deliver
• Common hCG products: Pregnyl, Novarel
• Cost: hCG is relatively inexpensive ($50-$150 per vial), making this combination comparable to or less expensive than Menopur

Important: Don't Switch Medications on Your Own

All of these alternatives require a prescription and should only be used under the direct guidance of your reproductive endocrinologist. Switching fertility medications can affect your hormone levels and follicle response, so your doctor will need to adjust your monitoring plan accordingly.

Never use leftover medication from a friend's cycle, purchase fertility drugs from unverified sources, or attempt to modify your protocol without medical supervision.

Still Looking for Menopur?

If you'd prefer to stay on Menopur, don't give up yet. Use Medfinder to check which pharmacies near you have it in stock. You can also read our tips on how to find Menopur in stock. And for the latest on supply, see our Menopur shortage update for 2026.

Final Thoughts

Not being able to fill your Menopur prescription is frustrating, but it doesn't mean your fertility treatment has to be delayed. Gonal-F, Follistim AQ, and Pergoveris are all well-established alternatives, and your doctor can help you find the right option for your specific protocol. The most important thing is to communicate with your care team as soon as you know there's a problem — the sooner they know, the more time they have to adjust your plan.