Category · 30 entries
Sexual & Reproductive Health
Melanocortin agonists, GnRH analogs, gonadotropins, and oxytocin-family peptides covering fertility, reproductive endocrinology, and sexual function.
Abarelix
The first injectable GnRH antagonist for prostate cancer — a synthetic decapeptide that achieved castration without testosterone flare, later supplanted by degarelix and oral alternatives.
Afamelanotide
An FDA-approved selective MC1R agonist marketed as Scenesse — the first-in-class treatment for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), delivered as a subdermal implant.
Alprostadil
A synthetic prostaglandin E1 vasodilator FDA-approved for intracavernosal use in erectile dysfunction and for maintaining ductus arteriosus patency in neonatal congenital heart disease.
Atosiban
Ferring's Tractocile — an oxytocin-receptor antagonist used in Europe and elsewhere as a tocolytic for short-term suppression of preterm labor between 24 and 33 weeks' gestation. Approved by the EMA in 2000; the FDA declined to approve atosiban in 1998 citing a higher fetal/infant death rate in the <26-week subgroup of the pivotal trial.
Buserelin
A GnRH agonist widely used in Canada, the UK, Germany, and other markets (Suprecur, Suprefact) for prostate cancer, endometriosis, and IVF downregulation — but never FDA-approved in the United States.
Carbetocin
Ferring's Pabal / Duratocin — a long-acting oxytocin analogue given once after birth to prevent postpartum haemorrhage. Heat-stable carbetocin matched oxytocin in WHO's 29,645-woman CHAMPION trial, and WHO's 2025 guideline recommends carbetocin for all births. Not FDA-approved.
Cetrorelix
Merck Serono's Cetrotide — a GnRH antagonist used during IVF controlled ovarian stimulation to block premature LH surges. Unlike GnRH agonists, produces immediate gonadotropin suppression without a flare, shortening IVF cycles.
Corifollitropin alfa
Elonva — recombinant FSH fused to the C-terminal peptide of hCG (about 65-hour half-life), given as one injection to replace the first week of daily FSH in IVF cycles. Authorised in the EU since January 2010; never approved in the US.
Degarelix
An approved GnRH antagonist (Firmagon) for advanced prostate cancer: castrate testosterone by day 3 in 96% of men, no flare, but frequent injection-site reactions and an unsettled heart-safety question.
Deslorelin
A long-acting GnRH agonist now used mainly as the Suprelorin implant that chemically castrates dogs; studied in children with precocious puberty in the 1990s. Banned in male athletes.
Elagolix
The first oral GnRH antagonist — a non-peptide small molecule that suppresses estrogen production without injection, FDA-approved for endometriosis pain.
Follitropin alfa
Recombinant human FSH (Gonal-f), approved in the US on September 29, 1997, the same day as follitropin beta: daily injections that grow ovarian follicles for ovulation induction and IVF and, with hCG, restart sperm production in men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
Follitropin beta
Organon/Merck's Follistim AQ (Puregon internationally) — a recombinant human FSH produced independently of follitropin alfa but clinically equivalent; FDA-approved 1997 for ovulation induction and IVF controlled ovarian stimulation.
Follitropin delta
Ferring's Rekovelle — a recombinant human FSH produced in a human cell line (PER.C6), dosed via a personalized algorithm based on serum AMH and body weight. Approved in the EU, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and China, but received an FDA Complete Response Letter in February 2026 over manufacturing issues; not currently approved in the United States.
Ganirelix
The GnRH antagonist that keeps an IVF cycle from ovulating early, and cut the protocol from weeks of injections to days.
Gonadorelin
Synthetic GnRH, the hypothalamus's pulse signal for LH and FSH: pumped every 60 to 120 minutes it restored ovulation and sperm production in trials, but as an occasional injection beside testosterone it has never been studied.
Goserelin
Zoladex, a GnRH agonist set in a biodegradable implant placed under the skin every 28 days (3.6 mg) or 12 weeks (10.8 mg, men only). US-approved since 1989 and labelled for prostate cancer and, at 3.6 mg only, for advanced breast cancer before menopause, endometriosis and endometrial thinning.
Histrelin
A GnRH agonist implant that suppresses puberty for twelve months at a time; the prostate-cancer version has been discontinued.
Kisspeptin-10
A short active fragment of human kisspeptin — under active clinical investigation for hypothalamic amenorrhea, infertility, and low libido in men and women.
Kisspeptin-54
The full-length 54-amino-acid kisspeptin, the peptide that drives GnRH release. Its furthest-developed use is a single injection to trigger egg maturation in IVF: eggs matured in 95% of 60 women at high risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, with no moderate or worse case. Investigational, and prohibited in sport.
Leuprolide
The prototypical long-acting GnRH agonist: after a brief flare it shuts down testosterone and oestrogen, FDA-approved since 1985 in forms from a daily pen to six-month depots for prostate cancer, endometriosis, fibroids and central precocious puberty.
Lutropin alfa
Recombinant human LH, given with FSH rather than alone; its largest trial found the endpoints comparable either way.
Melanotan II
An unapproved melanocortin agonist sold as a tanning and libido injection, with small 1990s trials and case reports of changing moles, melanoma, priapism and kidney injury.
Menotropin
The urine-derived FSH and LH preparation used for IVF ovarian stimulation, still about equal to recombinant FSH in trials.
Nafarelin
Pfizer's Synarel, a GnRH agonist nasal spray approved for endometriosis and central precocious puberty: a depot-free alternative to injectable leuprolide for patients who prefer nasal dosing.
Oxytocin
An endogenous nine-amino-acid hormone with roles in labor, lactation, and social-affiliative behavior; also explored off-label for social/anxiety research.
PT-141
An FDA-approved melanocortin agonist for acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women.
Relugolix
The oral alternative to Lupron: a once-daily pill that takes testosterone to castrate levels in prostate cancer without the initial flare or injections of GnRH agonists, and, with add-back hormones, treats fibroids and endometriosis.
Triptorelin
A widely used long-acting GnRH agonist — FDA-approved as Trelstar for advanced prostate cancer and as Triptodur for pediatric central precocious puberty; approved internationally (Decapeptyl, Gonapeptyl) for endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and female infertility protocols.
Urofollitropin
Ferring's Bravelle (and earlier Fertinex) — highly purified urinary-derived FSH used for ovulation induction and IVF controlled ovarian stimulation. FDA-approved 2002; branded Bravelle was withdrawn from the US market in 2015 due to manufacturing/potency concerns but the molecule class remains available via urinary-derived menotropin combination products.