Chorex (Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Injection)

Chorionic gonadotropin injection is a hormone used as a fertility medicine to help develop eggs in women who have difficulty getting pregnant due to ovulation issues. It is also used to assist men with low sperm counts in producing more sperm and for cases where the testicles have not descended into the scrotum due to a pituitary gland issue.

Chorionic gonadotropin acts similarly to luteinizing hormone (LH), which is made by the pituitary gland. It is also produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Chorionic gonadotropin has different purposes for women and men.

In women, chorionic gonadotropin is used to support conception. It is typically given with other medications like menotropins and urofollitropin. Many women receiving these treatments have previously tried clomiphene alone without success in conceiving. Chorionic gonadotropin is also utilized in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) programs.

In men, LH and chorionic gonadotropin stimulate the testes to produce male hormones such as testosterone. Testosterone leads to the growth of the penis and testes, as well as the development of pubic and underarm hair. It also boosts sperm production.

While some patients have been prescribed chorionic gonadotropin for weight loss, it should never be used for this purpose. Misuse of chorionic gonadotropin can lead to serious health issues.

This medicine should only be administered by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

It is very important that your doctor checks your progress at regular visits to ensure that the medicine is working properly and to look for unwanted effects. Blood and urine tests, semen testing, and ultrasound exams are needed to check for any unwanted effects caused by this medicine.

This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Contact your doctor right away if you have chest tightness, cough, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, hives, itching, skin rash, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine may cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which can be life-threatening. Contact your doctor right away if you have bloating, diarrhea, severe nausea, stomach pain, rapid weight gain, or vomiting.

This medicine may cause serious lung problems (e.g., atelectasis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or asthma). Contact your doctor right away if you have blue lips, fingernails, or skin, chest tightness, coughing, difficulty or fast breathing, fever, rapid heartbeat, or trouble breathing.

This medicine may increase your risk of having a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease. Contact your doctor right away if you have chest pain or tightness, a fast or irregular heartbeat, unusual flushing or warmth of the skin, increased coughing, trouble breathing, sudden difficulty with breathing at night, or abnormal swelling in your ankles or legs. These could be symptoms of serious heart problems or blood clots.

This medicine may cause more than one egg to be released from your ovary at the same time. This means you may become pregnant with more than one baby. Discuss this possibility with your doctor before you start using this medicine.

This medicine may increase your risk of having ovarian cancer if you received it more than one time to get pregnant. Talk to your doctor about this risk.

If your doctor has asked you to record your basal body temperature (BBT) daily, make sure you know how to do this. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks of taking it compared to the benefits it may provide. The following factors should be taken into account for this medicine:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your health care professional know if you have any other allergies, including to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies have not shown any specific problems in children that would limit the effectiveness of chorionic gonadotropin injection. However, children may be more likely to experience early puberty, which could require caution or dose adjustments while using this medicine.

When used to treat cryptorchidism (a birth defect where the testes do not descend), chorionic gonadotropin has caused some male children’s sexual organs to develop too quickly.

Geriatric

Studies have not shown any specific problems in elderly patients that would limit the effectiveness of chorionic gonadotropin injection.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction could occur. In those situations, your doctor might want to adjust the dose or take other precautions. Notify your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken around mealtimes or with specific foods due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect how you can use this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Abnormal or unusual vaginal bleeding
• Uncontrolled adrenal gland problems
• High levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
• Organ defects
• Uncontrolled pituitary gland problems
• Uncontrolled thyroid gland problems
• Tumors in the brain (hypothalamus area or pituitary gland)
• Tumors in the breast
• Tumors in the ovary or uterus—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Blood clots (e.g., pulmonary embolism, venous thromboembolism), or history of
• Blood vessel problems
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Lung or breathing issues
• Migraine
• History of ovary problems
• Seizures
• History of stroke
• History of surgery—Use with caution. May worsen these conditions.

• Prostate cancer
• Precocious puberty (a condition causing early puberty in boys before age 9)—Increases in testosterone levels may worsen these conditions.

• Ovarian cysts
• Fibroid tumors of the uterus—Chorionic gonadotropin may cause further growth of ovarian cysts or fibroid tumors of the uterus.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

For females only

More common

• Bloating (mild)
• stomach or pelvic pain

Less common or rare

• Bloating (moderate to severe)
• decreased amount of urine
• diarrhea
• feeling of indigestion
• nausea
• pelvic pain (severe)
• rapid weight gain
• severe stomach pain
• swelling of feet or lower legs
• trouble breathing
• vomiting

For boys only

Less common

• Acne
• enlargement of penis and testes
• growth of pubic hair
• rapid increase in height

Incidence not known

• Chest tightness
• skin flushing
• hives or welts
• itching of the skin
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially in the calves
• skin redness
• severe, sudden headache
• skin rash
• slurred speech
• sudden loss of coordination
• sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg
• unusually warm skin
• vision changes

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• discouragement
• breast enlargement
• feeling sad or empty
• headache
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• loss of interest or pleasure
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• tiredness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Chorex
• Novarel
• Ovidrel
• Pregnyl
• Profasi

In Canada

• Chorionic Gonadotropin

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution
• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Endocrine-Metabolic Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Gonadotropin

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle.