Mackenzie, 15 months, was born after Rochelle Frost tried a new fertility treatment. Photo / Malcolm Pullman
Mackenzie, 15 months, was born after Rochelle Frost tried a new fertility treatment. Photo / Malcolm Pullman
Alternative use of drug creates win-win for couples battling infertility, says specialist
A drug commonly used to treat breast cancer patients is bringing fresh hope to Kiwi families struggling with infertility.
Letrozole is an anti-oestrogen drug used for women who have undergone treatment for oestrogen-positive breast cancer.
But Guy Gudex, medical director of fertility specialists Repromed, said letrozole was also able to boost ovulation. International reports had found letrozole was more effective than the more commonly prescribed clomiphene, or Clomid, in helping women with ovulation problems to conceive, he said.
It was also less likely to cause multiple pregnancies, which doctors tried to avoid for safety reasons.
Letrozole had been available in New Zealand for 10 years but had previously been used only as a back-up for women who did not ovulate on clomiphene, Gudex said.
But recent studies showed the drug was more effective and the chance of conceiving twins was at least halved. "It seems a win-win," he said. "We have every reason to believe it's as safe."
Repromed was now using it as a first choice for women who needed ovulation induction treatment, and about 200 women had used it so far.
A third of them could expect to become pregnant if they were taking clomiphene, he said, whereas 45 to 50 per cent fell pregnant on letrozole.
Some who became pregnant with letrozole had tried clomiphene unsuccessfully, Gudex said.
Currently the drug is registered in New Zealand only for use in breast cancer treatment. Pharmac spends about $100,000 a year on it for such treatment.
However doctors can also prescribe it for other purposes such as ovulation induction.
Gudex said a three-month prescription for letrozole would cost $20-$30. Patients would also have to pay $200 to $300 for procedures such as an ultrasound when they began treatment.
Repromed will petition Medsafe to have the drug formally added to the list of publicly funded fertility treatments.
Medsafe said once it received any application over proposed funded treatments it aimed to complete an evaluation within seven months.
A range of factors would be considered, including the results of clinical studies. It would then make a recommendation to Health Minister Jonathan Coleman on whether the drug could be approved for the additional intended use.
Letrozole has also been found to be helpful for male infertility, according to a Canadian study presented in San Diego last week.
Couple avoids long road of IVF
Mackenzie, 15 months, was born after Rochelle Frost tried a new fertility treatment. Photo / Malcolm Pullman
Whangarei nurse Rochelle Frost had been trying to get pregnant for about two years when it was suggested she try letrozole.
The 28-year-old and her partner, Chance Campbell, also 28, waited a year before seeking medical advice, which led to Frost being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Then 25, she was put straight on fertility treatment.
Five rounds of clomiphene - a drug to help women conceive - made no difference and she was set to join the waiting list for publicly-funded IVF when specialists proposed letrozole.
"It was suggested there was something else we could try before going down the long road of IVF," Campbell said.
Frost fell pregnant on her first treatment cycle and daughter Mackenzie is now 15 months old.
She was grateful to have another option when clomiphene did not work.
"It was definitely a huge relief not to have to have IVF. IVF is a huge undertaking, especially living in Whangarei and having to drive down to Auckland."
