Recombinant human luteinising hormone (rLH) Pregnancy: No indication for use during pregnancy; not indicated during breast-feeding. Data on a limited number of exposed pregnancies indicate no adverse reactions of gonadotropins on pregnancy, embryonal or foetal development, parturition or postnatal development following controlled ovarian stimulation; clinical data are insufficient to exclude a teratogenic effect if exposure occurs during pregnancy.

Lutropin alfa

Brand names: Luveris

A recombinant human luteinising hormone used with follicle-stimulating hormone to stimulate follicular development in selected women with severe gonadotrophin deficiency undergoing assisted reproduction.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: 75 IU lutropin alfa (one vial) daily, given with 75 to 150 IU FSH (follitropin alfa)

Route: Subcutaneous injection (first injection under direct medical supervision; powder reconstituted immediately before use with the solvent provided)

Frequency: Once daily, as a course of daily injections given simultaneously with FSH

SPC §4.2 (Luveris 75 IU). Treatment must be initiated under the supervision of a physician experienced in the treatment of fertility disorders. In LH- and FSH-deficient women the objective is to promote follicular development, followed by final maturation after administration of hCG. If the patient is amenorrhoeic with low endogenous estrogen secretion, treatment can commence at any time. Treatment should be tailored to the individual patient's response, assessed by measuring follicle size on ultrasound and estrogen response. If an FSH dose increase is deemed appropriate, dose adaptation should preferably be after 7- to 14-day intervals and preferably by 37.5 IU to 75 IU increments. It may be acceptable to extend the duration of stimulation in any one cycle to up to 5 weeks. When an optimal response is obtained, a single injection of 250 micrograms of r-hCG or 5,000 IU to 10,000 IU hCG should be administered 24 to 48 hours after the last lutropin alfa and FSH injections; coitus is recommended on the day of and the day following hCG administration, or intrauterine insemination / another assisted reproduction procedure may be performed. Luteal phase support may be considered. If an excessive response is obtained, stop treatment and withhold hCG; recommence in the next cycle at an FSH dose lower than the previous cycle. PAEDIATRIC: no relevant use in the paediatric population (no paediatric dose in the SPC). ELDERLY: no relevant use; safety and efficacy not established.

Dose adjustments

Renal

Safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics in patients with renal (or hepatic) impairment have not been established — no dose adjustment is given in the SPC.

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients
Tumours of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland
Ovarian enlargement or ovarian cyst unrelated to polycystic ovarian disease and of unknown origin
Gynaecological haemorrhages of unknown origin
Ovarian, uterine or mammary carcinoma
Must not be used where a condition exists that would make a normal pregnancy impossible: primary ovarian failure; malformations of sexual organs incompatible with pregnancy; fibroid tumours of the uterus incompatible with pregnancy

Side effects

Common: headache
Common: abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
Common: mild or moderate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), ovarian cyst, breast pain, pelvic pain (OHSS observed in less than 6% of patients; no severe OHSS reported)
Common: injection site reactions (pain, erythema, haematoma, swelling and/or irritation)
Very rare: mild to severe hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions and shock
Very rare: thromboembolism, usually associated with severe OHSS

Clinical monograph

How it works

It replicates the action of endogenous luteinising hormone on ovarian theca and granulosa cells, supporting follicular maturation and oestrogen production.

Prescribing in practice

Use only under specialist fertility supervision with ovarian ultrasound and hormone monitoring, because overstimulation can cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and multiple pregnancy.
It is intended for co-administration with follicle-stimulating hormone in women with marked LH and FSH deficiency.
Exclude causes in which ovarian stimulation is inappropriate, such as uncontrolled endocrine disorders or hormone-dependent tumours, before treatment.

Monitoring

Monitor ovarian response with serial ultrasound and oestradiol measurement to guide dosing and reduce hyperstimulation and multiple-pregnancy risk.

Counselling the patient

Report abdominal pain, bloating, nausea or reduced urine output, which may signal ovarian hyperstimulation.
Understand that fertility treatment carries an increased chance of multiple pregnancy.
Attend all scan and blood-test appointments so treatment can be adjusted.

Evidence & guidelines

Recombinant luteinising hormone supports follicular development when combined with FSH in hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, as reflected in assisted-reproduction practice and the SPC.

Reference: NICE CG156; HFEA; SmPC; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Pathways