Gonal F (follitropin alfa) is a prescription injectable fertility medication that mimics your body's natural follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to help your ovaries develop eggs for fertility treatments like IVF and ovulation induction.

What Is Gonal F?

Gonal F is a brand-name recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (r-hFSH). Its generic name is follitropin alfa. It's manufactured by EMD Serono, a business of Merck KGaA, and was approved by the FDA for use in the United States.

Unlike older gonadotropin products that were derived from the urine of postmenopausal women, Gonal F is produced using recombinant DNA technology — meaning it's made in a lab using genetically engineered cells. This results in a highly pure, consistent product.

Gonal F belongs to the drug class known as gonadotropins. It is not a controlled substance and has no DEA schedule, but it does require a prescription and is typically managed by a fertility specialist.

What Is Gonal F Used For?

Gonal F has three FDA-approved indications:

1. Ovulation induction in women who aren't ovulating (anovulatory infertility) when the cause is functional — not due to primary ovarian failure.
2. Controlled ovarian stimulation for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) cycles like IVF, where the goal is to develop multiple follicles to retrieve multiple eggs.
3. Spermatogenesis induction in men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (a hormonal condition that reduces sperm production) — used alongside hCG treatment.

Gonal F is also commonly used off-label for ovarian stimulation during intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles and in combination with other fertility medications like Clomid or Letrozole.

How Is Gonal F Taken?

Gonal F is administered as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin), usually in the lower abdomen. It comes in several forms:

• Gonal-F RFF Redi-ject prefilled pen — available in 300 IU, 450 IU, and 900 IU. This is the most commonly used form. The pen has a dial to set your dose and uses small needles for relatively painless injection.
• Gonal-F multi-dose vial — 450 IU and 1050 IU. These require reconstitution (mixing powder with liquid) before injection.
• Gonal-F RFF 75 IU single-dose vial — a smaller vial for lower doses.

Your fertility clinic will train you on injection technique during a "teach session" before you start. Most patients self-inject at home, though a partner or family member can also be trained to help.

Typical Dosing

Doses are individualized based on your treatment protocol and ovarian response:

• Ovulation induction: Start at 75 IU daily. Your doctor adjusts by 37.5 IU every 7-14 days based on ultrasound and blood work, up to a maximum of 300 IU/day.
• IVF/ART stimulation: Start at 150-225 IU daily. Adjusted based on follicle development and estradiol levels. Stimulation typically lasts 8-12 days.
• Men (spermatogenesis): 150 IU three times per week, usually after pre-treatment with hCG.

Your doctor will monitor you with transvaginal ultrasounds and blood tests (estradiol levels) every 1-3 days during stimulation to adjust your dose and watch for overstimulation.

Who Should Not Take Gonal F?

Gonal F is contraindicated in the following situations:

• Pregnancy (Category X — can harm a developing fetus)
• Prior allergic reaction to follitropin alfa or any ingredient in Gonal F
• High FSH levels indicating primary ovarian failure
• Uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal disorders
• Sex hormone-dependent tumors (reproductive tract or pituitary)
• Abnormal uterine bleeding of undetermined cause
• Ovarian cysts or enlargement not related to PCOS

Your doctor will run baseline bloodwork and an ultrasound before starting Gonal F to make sure it's safe for you.

How Much Does Gonal F Cost?

Gonal F is expensive. Here's what to expect:

• Cash price per pen: A Gonal-F RFF Redi-ject 900 IU pen costs approximately $900 to $1,500 without insurance.
• Per IVF cycle: A typical IVF stimulation cycle requires 2-4 pens, bringing the total Gonal F cost to $1,800 to $6,000.
• No generic available: There is no FDA-approved generic or biosimilar of Gonal F in the United States as of 2026. Biosimilars like Ovaleap and Bemfola are available in Europe but not the US.

Insurance Coverage

Coverage varies dramatically. Some commercial plans cover Gonal F with prior authorization, especially in states with fertility treatment mandates (like Massachusetts, Illinois, and New York). Other plans exclude fertility medications entirely. Step therapy rules may require you to try oral medications like Clomid or Letrozole before your insurer approves Gonal F.

Saving Money

Several options can reduce your cost:

• EMD Serono's Fertility Lifelines — offers support services and in some cases financial assistance or co-pay help.
• Compassionate Care Program — provides free Gonal F to qualifying uninsured or underinsured patients who meet income requirements. Call 1-866-538-7879 or ask your fertility clinic.
• Discount cards and pharmacy shopping — prices vary between specialty pharmacies. See our complete Gonal F savings guide for more options.

Final Thoughts

Gonal F is one of the most widely used fertility medications in the world. It's a well-established, effective option for ovulation induction and IVF stimulation — but it requires specialist oversight, regular monitoring, and careful dose adjustment. Understanding what it is, how it works, and what it costs helps you be a more informed patient and advocate for yourself during treatment.

To learn more about how Gonal F works in your body, read our mechanism of action guide. If you're looking for a prescribing doctor, check out our guide to finding a Gonal F provider. And if you need help finding it in stock, Medfinder can help.