Peptide Graded

Cetrorelix

Does Cetrorelix work?

Yes, in large controlled trials; one review covered 73 trials and 12,212 women.

AStrong human evidenceFDA approvedas of 2026-10-26

The approved IVF use rests on randomized trials of cetrorelix itself plus a Cochrane review of GnRH antagonists in assisted reproduction that pooled 73 randomized trials with 12,212 women. The review found live-birth rates equal to the older agonist protocols and a lower rate of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. The single cetrorelix trial in the citations is a multicentre randomized study from 2000 in 154 women, which compared one late-follicular injection with a depot GnRH agonist. 43

A multicentre randomized study published in 2000 gave 115 IVF patients one injection of cetrorelix in the late follicular phase. Another 39 got a depot of the agonist triptorelin. No LH surge occurred in any cetrorelix patient. Pregnancy rates did not differ significantly. The cetrorelix group needed shorter stimulation. It had less ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Fewer eggs were collected, though. The label describes this single-dose regimen. It also describes a daily low-dose regimen from the phase 3 program. The US now supplies only the daily low-dose form. 31

A 2016 Cochrane review compared GnRH antagonist and long GnRH agonist protocols across 73 randomized trials and 12,212 women. Live birth did not differ (odds ratio 1.02, 12 trials, 2,303 women, moderate-quality evidence). Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome of any grade was less common with antagonists (odds ratio 0.61, 36 trials, 7,944 women). 4

Evidence checklist

  • Randomised controlled trial Randomized trials, Cochrane review of 73
  • Human study over 100 people Review pooled 12,212 women
  • More than one research group Many trial groups across countries
  • Clinical outcomes, not surrogate markers Live birth and OHSS rates compared
  • Human safety data beyond case reports Label data, decades of use

Read the full Cetrorelix page

More on Cetrorelix

Citations

  1. FDA label, 2023: Cetrotide (cetrorelix acetate for injection) accessdata.fda.gov
  2. DrugBank DB00050: cetrorelix go.drugbank.com
  3. Olivennes 2000, Fertil Steril: single-dose cetrorelix in controlled ovarian stimulation doi.org
  4. Al-Inany 2016, Cochrane: GnRH antagonists for assisted reproductive technology doi.org

Reference information only, not medical advice. Drawn from the Cetrorelix article, fact-checked against the cited sources. No dosing anywhere on this site.