Clinical Use
Cetrorelix acetate is an analogue of GnRH with amino acid substitutions at residues 1, 2, 3, 6,
and 10 and differing from ganirelix at amino acids 1, 6, and 8. Each of these
substitutions are synthetic, non-DNA-directed amino acids and, like ganirelix acetate, impart
GnRH antagonist activity to cetrorelix acetate. This drug also is marketed for use in women
undergoing assisted reproductive therapy (ART) procedures, in which it is necessary to control
their LH surge. This allows the follicles to develop to a size, as determined by ultrasound, that
increases the success of timed insemination and oocyte retrieval for IVF. Like ganirelix acetate,
cetrorelix acetate has an advantage over GnRH agonists, such as leuprolide acetate, because it
reduces the fertility therapy cycle to days rather than weeks.