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N/A N=18 Randomized Triple-blind Treatment

Nimodipine to Prevent LH Surge During Ovulation Induction: Blinded Placebo-controlled RCT

Unexplained Infertility · Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome · Anovulatory

Enrolled (actual)
18
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Aug 2020
Primary outcome: Primary: LH Surge — 9; 9 Participants

Study Design & Population

Study type
Interventional
Phase
N/A
Interventions
Placebo (Drug); Nimodipine (Drug)
Age
Adult · 25+ yrs
Sex
Female
Sponsor
Boston IVF
Primary completion
Apr 2014

Outcome Measures

OutcomeResultp-value
PRIMARY
LH Surge
9; 9
SECONDARY
Number of Participants Experiencing Side Effects
3; 4

Summary

The main purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of nimodipine in preventing a luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in women undergoing ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate. It is important to prevent the premature LH surge in controlled ovarian stimulation to allow adequate recruitment of follicles, proper maturation of a dominant follicle before ovulation, and effectively time insemination with semen to allow fertilization of a mature egg to occur. The investigators are also conducting this study to determine medication side effect profile (including lightheadedness or dizziness from low blood pressure or rapid heart rate, headache, and nausea), patient treatment compliance, and clinical pregnancy (positive pregnancy test and ultrasound evidence of fetal heart rate). Finally, LH and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) serum levels will be measured to determine effect of nimodipine on these hormones. As a calcium channel blocker, nimodipine has been shown to block calcium mediated release of gonadotropin releasing hormone in animal and preliminary human studies. The investigators hypothesize that nimodipine, a calcium channel blocker, will prevent or delay the LH surge during controlled ovarian stimulation cycles using clomiphene citrate in subfertile patients undergoing assisted reproduction with intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age 25-40 years at the time of enrollment
  • Both ovaries intact by history and ultrasound assessment
  • Early follicular phase (day 2-4) serum FSH level 38 kg/m2
  • Early follicular phase (day 2-4) serum FSH level ≥20 mIU/mL
  • History of overstimulated cycle defined as >3 mature follicles of ≥17 mm
  • Abnormal uterine cavity and/or tubal disease (as evidenced by sonohysterogram or hysterosalpingogram)
  • Diagnosis of infertility with a clear indication for in-vitro fertilization, such as bilateral tubal occlusion
  • Severe male factor infertility: Total Motile Sperm Count < 2x106 post washing (sperm deemed inadequate for IUI preparation)
  • Any ovarian or abdominal abnormality that may interfere with adequate TV ultrasound evaluation
  • Absence of one or both ovaries
  • Any contraindication to being pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term
  • Unexplained gynecological bleeding
  • Any medical condition that would jeopardize the patient or the integrity of the data obtained including:
  • Prior reaction or side effects from previous calcium channel blocker use
  • Any medical condition that may interfere with the absorption, distribution, metabolism or excretion of nimodipine such as hepatic disease, hypertension, seizure, concurrent infection, depression, reflux (see #12 below).
  • Mental health status resulting in cognitive or emotional impairment that would preclude study participation
  • The concurrent use of any of the following drugs: [These medications have been shown to effect the availability of the medication or worsen hypotension symptoms]
  • Antihypertensives (eg. ACE inhibitors, alpha-adrenergic blocking agents,methyldopa, beta-blockers, diuretics, PDE5 inhibitors, and other calcium antagonists)
  • Antiepileptics (eg. phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine or valproic acid)
  • Macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin)
  • Azole antimycotics (eg, ketoconazole)
  • HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir)
  • Antidepressants (eg, nefazodone and fluoxetine)
  • Cimetidine
  • Patient unable to communicate adequately with the investigators and to comply with the requirements of the study
  • Unwillingness to give written informed consent
View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01672801). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.

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