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Choosing The Right Pharmacy Convenient, caring and reliable service from the pharmacy that really understands the needs of infertility patients. We're available to you nationwide.
- Low Prices
- Free Express Delivery
- Medications Always in Stock
- Insurance Screening and Direct Billing
- Special Support and Information for Infertility Patients
ABOUT US
Apthorp Pharmacy has been providing superior quality service to customers in New York City for more than 100 years. Today, Apthorp pharmacy is a local landmark that has been recently redesigned and updated to meet the needs of modern consumers.Whether you need a prescription filled or you're looking for some of the finest cosmetics, toiletries and gift items available anywhere in the world, you'll find what you need right here. Choosing the right pharmacy
Apthorp Fertility Prescription Service
With Apthorp Fertility Prescription Service, our high quality products, low prices and special services are now available to infertility patients all across the United States. Apthorp Fertility Prescription Service is the convenient and confidential way to fill prescriptions for fertility medications and have them delivered to your door fast!
Here's how it works:
- Have your doctor's office phone us toll free at 800 775-3582 or fax us toll free at 877 846-6031 with your name, telephone number and prescription information.
- Once we receive the prescription and delivery information, we'll fill the order and ship it by FedEx overnight or same day messenger. You'll have your prescriptions fast!
- You can also pick up your orders at our convenient location at 2201 Broadway (at 78th Street) in Manhattan.
It's that easy.
SERVICES
Because we have been working to meet the special needs of infertility patients for many years, Apthorp Fertility Prescription Services offers many advantages for customers:- Special support for patients. Apthorp has a wide range of helpful Free weekly newsletters and videos that explain different aspects of your treatment.
- Low, low prices. We keep our prices as low as possible, and invite you to comparison shop.
- Free express delivery service nationwide. Because we ship our orders via overnight Federal Express or by same day messenger, you will receive your prescriptions within 24 hours in most cases. Call us toll free at 800 775-3582 for shipping details.
- Medications always in stock. Many pharmacies don't carry all name brands or keep enough on hand to fill every prescription right away. Because thousands of infertility patients choose Apthorp every year, we can deal directly with the pharmaceutical companies to make sure that the products you need are always available when you need them.
- Free insurance screening. We'll verify your insurance eligibility and explain your benefits in advance.
- Direct insurance billing. For major medical, we can arrange to bill your insurance company directly for your medications, so you have little or no out of pocket expense.
- We accept most prescription plans. We are a contracted provider for most insurance and managed health care plans.
Free Delivery for patients undergoing infertility therapy
Free Overnight Priority Federal Express
Orders placed Monday through Friday before 8:00 p.m. will be received by 10:30 a.m. next morning in most locations. Saturday delivery is available for $10 additional. $450 minimum order required.
Free Same Day Delivery in Manhattan
Upper West Side: Free delivery during all operating hours.
Upper East Side & Locations below 59th Street: Free delivery via messenger service.
Order must be received before 6:00 p.m. for same day delivery.
Pick Up Customers may pick up their prescriptions at our Upper West Side location in Manhattan at 2201 Broadway (at 78th Street).
Monday thru Friday 8:00am to 9:00pm
Saturday 9:00am to 7:00pm
Sunday 9:00am to 6:00pm
PRODUCTS
Women have two ovaries located in the pelvis alongside the uterus. Their main functions are to release eggs and produce hormones. At birth, the ovaries contain thousands of eggs, each surrounded by cells that develop into small fluid-filled blisters known as follicles. When a woman is ovulating normally, each month one of these follicles will grow to about 20 millimeters in diameter and release an egg (ovulation). The egg then passes down the fallopian tubes, where fertilization occurs. The fertilized egg (embryo) travels to the uterus to implant itself in the lining (endometrium) and develop as a pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilized in the fallopian tubes, the endometrium is shed as a menstrual period about 14 days after ovulation.
The normal female reproductive cycle is principally controlled by hormones released from several organs in the body. At the base of the brain, the hypothalamus gland produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This hormone, in turn, stimulates the pituitary gland to release two important reproductive hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Both of these hormones have a direct and important effect on the ovaries during the menstrual cycle.
The amounts of FSH and LH released and their specific functions change as the cycle progresses. FSH stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovaries. Each follicle contains an egg and produces additional hormones. LH helps FSH to stimulate the production of these hormones, both before and after ovulation. Roughly half way through the menstrual cycle, a sudden surge of LH and FSH causes a small rupture of the dominant follicle, releasing the egg. At this stage of the cycle, LH is the most important hormone because it enables the egg to become mature and ready for fertilization.
Female hormones are also produced in the ovaries. The most important are estrogens, which promote the growth of the follicles and development of the endometrium, and progesterones, which are released after ovulation to prepare the endometrium for pregnancy.
Reproductive medicines, known as gonadotropins, are hormones that are normally produced by glands in the brain. Usually a gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist or agonist (GnRH-a) is administered before any assisted reproductive technology procedures begin – this halts the patient's natural hormone cycle. Gonadotropins stimulate the development of the follicles in the ovaries. This stimulation, known as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), is an essential step in the IVF procedure. Using this technique, doctors can usually collect multiple egg cells to make ready for fertilization.
For many years, human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) have been extracted from human urine - specifically the urine of post-menopausal or pregnant women. hMG represents both FSH and LH activity, while hCG represents only LH activity.
More recently, these products have been manufactured using recombinant DNA technologies. This method of production has led to preparations with a very high purity while also eliminating the need to collect urine for manufacturing.
Following is a list and description of the most commonly used medications in assisted reproductive technologies.
FSH (follicle stimulation hormone)
Follistim® AQ (follitropin beta injection) is a pure FSH preparation manufactured by recombinant DNA technology. It is prescribed by a reproductive endocrinologist for ovulation induction in anovulatory patients, and for the development of multiple follicles in ovulatory patients undergoing assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF. Follistim AQ is available in a "cartridge-and-pen" formulation that offers multiple doses and requires no mixing. Follistim AQ comes in 300IU, 600IU, and 900IU cartridge sizes, as well as a 75ml vial.
Gonal-F® RFF (follitropin alfa injection) is a prescription medication containing FSH, manufactured by recombinant DNA technology. Gonal-F RFF is prescribed for the induction of ovulation and pregnancy in the anovulatory infertile patient and for the development of multiple follicles in ovulatory patients participating in an assisted reproductive technology program. Gonal-F RFF is available in a 75IU vial and can be administered subcutaneously (just under the skin). It is also available in a "pen," a drug delivery system that comes in 300IU, 450IU and 900IU sizes.
Gonal-F® Multi-Dose is another formulation of Gonal-F. Specially designed syringes make it easy for patients to measure daily prescribed doses of Gonal-F according to their individual needs as well as adjust their dosage during the course of therapy. Gonal-F Multi-Dose is injected subcutaneously using a small needle. Gonal-F Multi-Dose is available in a 450IU size.
Bravelle® (urofollitropin for injection, purified), is a highly purified follicle-stimulating hormone (hFSH) derived from urine. Bravelle is indicated for multiple follicular development and ovulation induction following pituitary suppression. Bravelle may be administered either subcutaneously or intramuscularly, as your physician instructs. Bravelle is supplied in 75 IU vials and must be mixed with an accompanying sterile diluent.
rhLH (Recombinant Human Luteinizing Hormone)
Luveris® (lutropin alfa for injection), approved for concomitant use with Gonal-F® (follitropin alfa for injection), is intended for stimulation of follicular development in infertile hypogonadotropic hypogonadal (HH) women with profound LH deficiency. Luveris is supplied in 75 IU single dose vials and must be reconstituted with the accompanying diluent. Luveris is administered along with Gonal-F in a separate subcutaneous injection.
hMG (Human Menopausal Gonadotropin)
Repronex® (menotropin for injection, USP) is a purified preparation of urine-derived gonadotropins, FSH and LH. Repronex, in conjunction with hCG, is indicated for multiple follicular development (controlled ovarian stimulation) and ovulation induction in patients who have previously received pituitary suppression. Repronex may be administered either subcutaneously or intramuscularly, as your physician instructs. Repronex is supplied in 75 IU vials and must be mixed with an accompanying sterile diluent.
Menopur® (menotropins for injection, purified) is a purified preparation of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) containing hormones necessary for human reproduction. Menopur is a preparation of naturally derived gonadotropins that has undergone an exacting purification process. The hMG in Menopur is extracted from the urine of postmenopausal women and is purified using state-of-the-art technology.
hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)
Pregnyl® (chorionic gonadotropin), a highly-purified preparation derived from the urine of pregnant women, was introduced in Europe in 1932 as the first hCG preparation drug and still continues to be one of the leading hCG therapies manufactured and sold today. Pregnyl acts like luteinizing hormone (LH) – it induces ovulation and releases the mature egg from the follicle. It is typically used after ovarian stimulation with follicle stimulating hormones to help follicles mature in the ovaries of women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in vitro fertilization. It is also used to trigger ovulation in infertile women with ovarian dysfunction. Pregnyl is supplied in 10,000 USP unit vials and must be mixed with an accompanying sterile diluent. It must be administered by intramuscular injection.
Ovidrel® Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Antagonist (choriogonadotropin alfa for injection) is the first and only recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and the only hCG approved for administration by subcutaneous injection in the US. Ovidrel® is used after ovarian stimulation to help follicles mature in the ovaries of women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in vitro fertilization. It is also used to trigger ovulation in infertile women with ovarian dysfunction. Ovidrel is available as a 250 mcg prefilled syringe.
Other widely prescribed fertility medications
Ganirelix Acetate Injection (formerly called Antagon™) is a synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist that is used to suppress premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges in women during assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. This prevents eggs from being released prematurely. It is typically administered for 4 or 5 days in the middle of the FSH cycle. Ganirelix Acetate is available as a 250 mcg prefilled syringe. It is administered subcutaneously, can be stored at room temperature, and requires no mixing on the part of the patient.
Cetrotide® Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Agonist (cetrorelix acetate for injection), is a synthetic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist used to suppress premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges in women during assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. This prevents eggs from being released prematurely. Cetrotide may be administered as a single 3 mg dose or daily 0.25 mg doses over 5-7 days, as your physician instructs. Both doses must be mixed with an accompanying sterile diluent and administered subcutaneously with the syringe provided.
Lupron® (leuprolide acetate) is a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) and is structurally very similar to GnRH. GnRH is a hormone released from the hypothalamus that controls the release of the LH and FSH from the pituitary gland. These hormones in turn are responsible for stimulating the production of hormones and the development of eggs in the ovary. Administering Lupron temporarily inhibits the release of LH and FSH from the pituitary, and thereby inhibits ovarian function. Lupron is available as a 2-week kit.
Clomiphene citrate works by initiating the release of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus. This causes the pituitary gland to release more FSH and LH, stimulating follicle development and ovulation. Clomiphene citrate is usually prescribed by an obstetrician / gynecologist (OB/GYN) or reproductive endocrinologist for the treatment of ovulatory failure in patients desiring pregnancy and whose husbands are fertile and potent. Clomiphene is typically considered first-line therapy for patients experiencing ovulatory difficulties. Clomiphene is available as a 50 mg tablet.
Crinone® 8% (progesterone gel) is a bio-adhesive vaginal gel that offers a sustained release of progesterone, with low levels of absorption into the blood stream. Progesterone, the active ingredient in Crinone, is required to prepare the lining of the uterus or endometrium to receive and nourish an embryo. Crinone 8% is supplied as a single-use vaginal applicator, and may be administered daily or twice daily, as your physician instructs. If you become pregnant, your physician may decide to continue treatment for up to 10 to 12 weeks.
Endometrin® (progesterone) Vaginal Insert 100 mg
Progesterone is a natural hormone often prescribed for infertile women during the luteal phase of an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatment. The first new product for luteal phase support to be approved by the FDA in a decade, Endometrin is indicated to support embryo implantation and early pregnancy by supplementation of corpus luteal function.
A Warning About Drugs from Foreign Countries
The pharmaceutical products sold in the United States must meet the quality and safety standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Fertility medications obtained from foreign countries may not meet these standards. These products are also often damaged in shipping or stored at extreme temperatures that can affect their ability to work effectively.
The only way to be sure you get the quality fertility medications you need is to use products sold in the United States by a reputable pharmacist who understands the needs of infertility patients.
ORDERING
With Apthorp Fertility Prescription Services you can have the high quality, competitively priced prescriptions delivered right to your door, quickly and confidentially. To order, have your doctor's office call us toll free at 800 775-3582.If you have any questions about our services or your medications, please call us toll free 800 775-3582 and ask to speak to one of our pharmacists.
LINKS
American Fertility Association
The AFA, headquartered in New York City, is a national organization dedicated to assisting women and men facing decisions related to family building and reproductive health--from prevention and treatment to social and psychological concerns.
American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
The ASRM is a voluntary non-profit organization devoted to advancing knowledge and expertise in reproductive medicine and biology.
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Information on Ferring products including Menopur®, Repronex®, Bravelle®, and Novarel®, as well as general information on reproductive endocrinology.
INCIID
The International Council for Infertility Information Dissemination is a nonprofit organization committed to using the Internet to provide the most current information regarding the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infertility and pregnancy loss.
Organon
Manufacturer of infertility medications including: Follistim®AQ, Ganrelix Acetate, and Pregnyl®
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