What is "ganirelix"

n. An injectable gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist, primarily used in assisted reproduction to control ovulation.

Ganirelix acetate (or diacetate) is an injectable competitive gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist ( GnRH antagonist). It is primarily used in assisted reproduction to control ovulation. The drug works by blocking the action of GnRH upon the pituitary, thus rapidly suppressing the production and action of LH and FSH. Ganirelix is used in fertility treatment to prevent premature ovulation that could result in the harvesting of eggs that are too immature to be used in procedures such as in vitro fertilisation.

GnRH agonists are also sometimes used in reproductive therapy, as well as to treat disorders involving sex-steroid hormones, such as endometriosis. One advantage of using GnRH antagonists is that repeated administration of GnRH agonists results in decreased levels of gonadotropins and sex steroids due to desensitization of the pituitary. This is avoided when using GnRH antagonists such as Ganirelix. The success of Ganirelix in reproductive therapy has been shown to be comparable to that when using GnRH agonists.

Ganirelix is derived from GnRH itself, with amino acid substitutions made at positions 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 10.

The European Commission gave marketing authorization for Ganirelix throughout the European Union to N.V. Organon in May 2000. Ganirelix is marketed by Organon International as Antagon.