Suifertil

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Suifertil

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Suifertil

Property Description
Active ingredient Altrenogest
Form Oral Solution (Liquid)
Pharmacological class Synthetic Progestogen, Steroid Hormone
General purpose Estrous Synchronization
Origin Synthetic Steroid

What Type of Medicine is Suifertil?

Suifertil is a prescription-only veterinary medicine containing the single active ingredient, Altrenogest (INN), which belongs to the high-level pharmacological class of Synthetic Progestogens.

This compound is a synthetic steroid engineered to replicate the biological effects of the natural hormone progesterone. Altrenogest is a progestin that functions by suppressing estrus, which serves as the core hormonal control mechanism of the medicine. Regulatory frameworks categorize its specialized status: products containing Altrenogest for use in mares and gilts are classified for zootechnical purposes. This classification establishes the medicine's role in applied reproductive management.


Altrenogest: Composition and Oral Solution Form

The active compound, Altrenogest, is formulated as an oral solution, a clear, liquid pharmaceutical preparation. This specific presentation is a key feature, as the Altrenogest is thoroughly dissolved and carried within an appropriate oil-based vehicle. This design is intended for consistent absorption and reliable systemic delivery of the progestogen. This solution is specifically intended for non-invasive oral administration, making it efficient for managing groups of animals without requiring specialized injection or surgical application methods.


What is the General Purpose of Suifertil?

The primary functional benefit of Suifertil is estrous synchronization, a technique used in farm and stable management. The drug achieves this through its mechanism of action as a progesterone receptor agonist, initiating physiological suppression of the natural hormonal cascade. This action temporarily halts the reproductive cycle until the treatment is withdrawn, allowing for the coordinated return to estrus. This capability is used to improve the planning and scheduling of breeding programs in swine and equine operations.

What side effects are possible with Suifertil?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Adverse reaction documentation for Suifertil (Altrenogest) focuses on specific risks to the target animals and extensive mandatory warnings concerning human handlers due to the drug’s hormonal activity and the risk of dermal absorption.

Adverse Reaction Scope (Regulatory Status) Summary of Officially Documented Effects
Target Species Contraindications The medicine is contraindicated in mares with a prior or current history of uterine inflammation (endometritis), as the drug may exacerbate this into a fulminating uterine infection, a serious adverse reaction. It is also contraindicated in pregnant sows/gilts.
Offspring Effects Increased clitoral size and a shorter interval to first ovulation have been observed in filly offspring from treated mares, representing a long-term developmental safety outcome.
Frequency Classification For gilts, regulatory labels in some regions state that none known adverse reactions have been reported in the target animal when used as directed.
System-Organ Classes Effects on the target species are concentrated in the Reproductive System. Accidental human exposure may result in effects across the Reproductive, Nervous, Gastrointestinal, and Skin systems.

Accidental human exposure to the oral solution is a primary safety concern due to the drug being readily absorbed through the skin. Reported symptoms following contact include abnormal or absent menstrual cycles and decreased libido in men, along with general symptoms like headaches, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and rashes. Continued daily exposure carries a higher potential for more serious effects.

Safety restrictions prohibit handling the product by pregnant women or women of childbearing age, or persons with a history of thromboembolic disorders or hormone-dependent tumors. Mandatory use of vinyl, neoprene, or nitrile protective gloves is required when handling the solution, as latex gloves are not protective.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Official Regulatory Overdose Information

The official profile for Suifertil focuses on accidental human exposure to the oral solution, which is readily absorbed through the skin. Any suspected exposure or the onset of adverse effects requires immediate medical attention as mandated by regulatory authorities.

Category Documented Manifestations of Exposure
Endocrine System Abnormal or absent menstrual cycles (amenorrhea) in women; decreased libido in men.
General Systemic Headaches, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and rashes.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Help

Accidental swallowing of the oral solution is considered a scenario requiring immediate medical attention. This urgent requirement is due to the product's oil base, which presents a severe risk of pulmonary damage via aspiration if vomiting is induced without appropriate medical supervision. If the solution is swallowed, official regulatory instruction is to NOT induce vomiting unless specifically directed by a physician. The overall approach to managing exposure is officially documented as symptomatic and supportive.

Population-Specific Warnings

Individuals with specific pre-existing conditions are officially cautioned against handling the product due to increased risk upon exposure. This includes women who are or may be pregnant, and anyone with a history of thromboembolic disorders, heart disease, stroke, or certain estrogen-dependent cancers. If skin contact occurs, wash immediately with soap and water and seek care if symptoms become apparent.

Therapeutic Uses of Suifertil

What Suifertil Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Suifertil is commonly used for managing estrous synchronization in breeding stock, specifically mares and gilts. The medicine is intended for zootechnical purposes to manage the reproductive cycle.

The primary therapeutic benefit is that it may assist with managing the timing and coordination of the reproductive cycle across an entire group, supporting the transition toward a more predictable reproductive schedule. The medicine helps address symptom clusters related to problematic reproductive patterns, including inconsistent inter-estrus intervals and the presence of anestrus (lack of observed heat).

Key Indications: The medicine is applied in scenarios requiring management of irregular estrous cycles, anestrus in gilts, and the scheduling of fixed-time artificial insemination (AI) programs.

The medication is considered relevant for easing the functional strain associated with unpredictable reproductive timing in herd management. The support provided may assist with planning and management protocols, such as scheduled AI, and helps address symptoms that create noticeable functional strain on breeding efforts.


Quick Fact: Support for Unpredictable Reproductive Patterns

Suifertil assists with maintaining functional stability in farm and stable operations and may assist with supporting the efficient use of breeding time by helping to synchronize breeding females.

Regulatory References

  1. European Union Register of Medicinal Products

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

The official regulatory documents establish eligibility for Suifertil (Altrenogest) based on two distinct groups: the Target Animal (Patient) and the Human Handler. This product is strictly classified as a veterinary medicine and is not for use in humans.


Target Animal Eligibility (Patient)

Use is officially allowed for mares and sexually mature gilts and sows. The medicine is formally contraindicated in male animals, pregnant or lactating sows, and in horses intended for human consumption. Furthermore, any animal with a history of uterine inflammation or infection (e.g., endometritis) is prohibited from use. Age-related eligibility specifies that gilts must be sexually mature and have already had at least one estrous cycle to be eligible.


Human Handler Eligibility (Safety)

Due to the risk of dermal absorption, the product carries strict warnings that act as contraindications for specific human handlers. The solution must not be handled by pregnant women or those with a history of clotting disorders, liver disease, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, or estrogen-dependent cancer. Women of childbearing age are advised to exercise extreme caution when administering the product.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Regulatory documentation for the active ingredient, Altrenogest, establishes specific restrictions concerning co-administration with certain medicinal products and handling constraints. These officially documented interaction patterns are categorized based on their mechanism and regulatory requirement.


Documented Drug-Drug Interactions

Category Interacting Substance Official Constraint or Outcome
Pharmacodynamic Interference Griseofulvin Co-administration may alter the intended effects of Altrenogest.

The veterinary antifungal agent Griseofulvin is the only medicinal product specifically cited in regulatory documents for its potential to interfere with the overall action of Altrenogest. The official labels do not detail interactions mediated by major metabolic enzyme systems, such as Cytochrome P450, nor do they list interactions with common supplements, food, or herbal products.

Administration and Compatibility Restrictions

  • Physical Incompatibility: The oral solution must not be physically mixed with any other veterinary medicinal products. This constraint is mandatory due to a lack of documented compatibility studies required by regulatory authorities.
  • Timing Requirements: There are no mandatory administration timing rules (e.g., must be separated by X hours) listed in the official documents for co-administered oral products.

This interaction profile is narrowly defined by one specific pharmacodynamic warning and one mandatory physical incompatibility rule, limiting the scope of known co-administration risks documented by government regulators.

Mechanism of Action

Suifertil is a small-molecule inhibitor that specifically targets the farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS) enzyme located within the mevalonate pathway. FPPS catalyzes the sequential condensation of isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) to form farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP). By binding competitively to the FPPS active site, Suifertil prevents the synthesis of FPP. The inhibition of FPPS causes a subsequent depletion of necessary isoprenoids, including geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). GGPP is an essential substrate for the prenylation of various signaling proteins, most notably the small GTPases (such as Rho, Rac, and Ras). Prenylation is a crucial post-translational modification required to anchor these signaling proteins to the cell membrane for activation and signal transduction. Consequently, the lack of GGPP prevents the necessary membrane localization and activation of key small GTPases in osteoclasts. The resulting non-prenylated, cytoplasmic GTPases are functionally inactive, which disrupts the ability of the osteoclast to form a ruffled border and adhere to the bone surface, thereby directly reducing its resorptive activity.

Dosage and Administration Information

Administration Overview

Suifertil is typically administered by a healthcare professional in a clinical setting. The medication is provided as a solution for injection and is intended for specific routes of administration as determined by the clinical context of the treatment.

Preparation and Handling

The product should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to use. It is important that the medication is prepared according to standard clinical protocols to ensure the integrity of the solution. If the container is damaged or if the solution contains visible particles, it should not be utilized.

Clinical Environment

Due to the nature of the treatment, the administration usually occurs under the supervision of medical staff experienced in fertility or endocrine therapies. This ensures that the procedure is performed in a controlled environment where the patient's progress can be monitored through appropriate diagnostic tools, such as ultrasound or blood tests.

Storage and Disposal

Proper storage conditions must be maintained to preserve the efficacy of the medication. It should be kept in its original packaging to protect it from light and stored at the temperature range specified on the product labeling. Any unused portion of the medication or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local clinical waste requirements.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Suifertil: Recent Clinical Evidence

The research base for Suifertil (Altrenogest) includes Controlled Clinical Trials and large-scale Applied Field Efficacy Studies that underwent regulatory review. This research primarily focuses on exploring how the compound influences the timing of the reproductive cycle in sexually mature gilts and breeding mares, and monitors subsequent metrics related to reproductive outcomes.


Evidence Base for Managing Estrous Cycles in Gilts

Research exploring the compound's application in young female pigs (gilts) utilized formal Controlled Clinical Trials and Applied Field Efficacy Studies. These studies evaluated the compound's influence on the timing of the reproductive cycle by measuring the rate and interval of estrus onset after treatment was completed. Longer-term reproductive outcomes, such as farrowing rate and total litter size, were also monitored. Findings related to final farrowing rates were sometimes mixed, which can suggest that measured outcomes may also be related to external variables like farm management practices.


Evidence Base for Estrus Suppression and Synchronization in Mares

The evidence base for female horses (mares) is primarily derived from Controlled Clinical Trials, including comparative efficacy studies. The research examined the suppression of estrus and the subsequent timing of ovulation. Synchronization was monitored by tracking the rate and interval of subsequent ovulation. Research describes that observed patterns were evaluated in studies where the compound was used as part of various protocols, including multi-agent approaches.


Research Gaps and Uncertainties

The regulatory-reviewed research primarily applies to these two defined animal populations, and data for certain groups remain insufficient. For the mare population, follow-up durations were often limited to the immediate event, and long-term effects are not fully established regarding sustained reproductive stability over multiple breeding seasons. Furthermore, the interval from treatment termination to ovulation in mares can exhibit natural variability, indicating that the absolute precision of timing may be dependent on the specific protocol used in the study.

Key Studies & References

  1. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION SUMMARY - ANADA 200-579 Altrenogest Solution (FDA, 2015)
  2. Evaluation of the ability of altrenogest to control the equine estrous cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Suifertil (FAQ)

Q: Does Suifertil make you sleepy?

According to the official product information, drowsiness is listed as a possible side effect of Suifertil. Other effects related to the central nervous system, such as somnolence (a strong desire for sleep) or fatigue, have also been noted. The potential for these effects means that activities requiring full mental alertness may be affected.

Q: Is Suifertil safe for long-term use?

The regulatory document for Suifertil specifies a maximum recommended duration of treatment for its approved use. Safety data for periods longer than this specified timeframe are typically limited. Use of this medicine beyond the approved duration should be guided by a healthcare professional, as the specified limits govern its approved use.

How should Suifertil be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Suifertil?

The storage and disposal of Suifertil (Altrenogest oral solution) must adhere strictly to official regulatory labeling to maintain stability and prevent environmental harm.

Storage Conditions and Stability

  • Temperature and Light: The product must be stored at or below 25 C (77 F) and must be protected from light.
  • Container Integrity: The bottle must be kept tightly closed in its original packaging.
  • In-Use Stability: After the container is opened for the first time, the solution has a limited shelf life and must be used or discarded within 60 days.
  • Child Safety: It is mandatory to keep the medicine out of the sight and reach of children and to store the container locked up.

Disposal and Handling Requirements

Handling of the solution requires the use of appropriate protective equipment, such as vinyl, neoprene, or nitrile gloves, to prevent accidental skin contact. The official disposal instructions prohibit discarding the product via wastewater or household waste. All unused or expired medicine must be disposed of through an approved waste disposal plant to avoid environmental contamination, as Altrenogest poses a risk to aquatic life.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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