Fertility Medications: A Primer for Pharmacists
Monograph
Are you a Pharmacy Tech? Check out the Pharmacy Tech version of this course.
Course Summary
Within the United States, an estimated 1 in 5 women will experience infertility. Infertility is a disease with health implications and important economic and social ramifications. Management of infertility is highly patient-specific and factors including the underlying cause, patient age, comorbidities, and cost determine the treatment plan. A diagnosis of infertility can be devastating, and attempting to understand related procedures and medications can be overwhelming for patients. Pharmacists are accessible healthcare providers who can educate patients on the causes and risk factors associated with infertility, counsel them on nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic medications, and offer resources to decrease the financial burden associated with infertility treatments. This course will provide an overview of the causes and process of diagnosing infertility and discuss available infertility treatment options. Mechanisms of action, side effects profiles, benefits, and success rates will be discussed for various fertility medications.
Course Objectives
Discuss causes of infertility
Describe available treatment options for infertility
Discuss indications, contraindications, side effect profiles, and monitoring parameters for fertility medications
Describe the role of the pharmacist in managing infertility
I. Introduction
II. Prevalence of Infertility in Women
III. Etiology and Risk Factors
IV. Evaluation and Diagnosis
1. Female Reproductive System
2. Menstrual Cycle
3. The Follicular (Proliferative) Phase
4. Ovulatory Phase
5. Luteal Phase
V. Fertility Evaluation
VI. Treatment of Infertility
1. Nonpharmacologic Management
2. Assisted Reproductive Technology
3. Pharmacologic Therapies
4. Clomiphene
5. Determining a Management Strategy
6. Frequently Asked Questions
VII. The Role of the Pharmacist
VIII. Summary
- Read the course objectives and faculty planner disclosure
- Read the course material
- Complete the post-test with a minimum score of 70% and complete the course evaluation form.
- Results are automatically submitted to CPE Monitor
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Liz Fredrickson, PharmD, BCPS, Pamela M. Sardo, PharmD, BS, and Susan DePasquale, MSN, PMHNP-BC. Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS, was an employee of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals until March 2022, and has no conflicts of interest or relationships regarding the subject matter discussed. There are no financial relationships relevant to this activity to report or disclose by any of the individuals involved in developing this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosures
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
Computer Hardware/Software Requirements
Please ensure the device you plan to use meets these requirements and specifications:
- Operating System: Windows 7,8,10, or 11 /Mac OS X 10.9 or later/iOS/Android
- Supported Browsers: Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera
- A connection to the internet
- For Live Webinars or Conferences: GoToWebinar application for iOS, Android, Mac, or PC. You cannot 'call into' a live conference.
- Target Audience: Pharmacist
- Contact Hours: 1.0 (0.1 CEUs)
- Activity Release Date: 5/1/2023
- Activity Expiration Date: 5/1/2026
- Activity Type: Knowledge
- UAN: 0669-0000-23-064-H01-P
- Topic: Disease State Management/Drug Therapy
- CeBroker Number: 20-1040448
Author:
RxCe.com, LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.