Chorionic gonadotropin (Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Injection)

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

Chorionic gonadotropin is a medication that works similarly to luteinizing hormone (LH), which is produced by the pituitary gland. It is also a hormone normally produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Chorionic gonadotropin serves different purposes for females and males.

In females, chorionic gonadotropin is used to aid conception. It is typically given alongside other medications such as menotropins and urofollitropin. Many women receiving these treatments have usually already tried clomiphene alone without success in conceiving. Chorionic gonadotropin is also utilized in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) programs.

In males, LH and chorionic gonadotropin stimulate the testes to produce male hormones like testosterone. Testosterone leads to the enlargement of the penis and testes, the growth of pubic and underarm hair, and an increase in sperm production.

Although 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 complications.

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 any unwanted effects. Blood and urine tests, semen testing, and ultrasound examinations 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 experience 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 with 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 have received it more than once 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 weigh the risks against the benefits. For this medicine, keep the following in mind:

Allergies

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

Pediatric

So far, studies have not shown any specific problems that would limit the use of chorionic gonadotropin injection in children. However, children may be more likely to experience early puberty, which might require caution or dose adjustments when using this medicine.

Chorionic gonadotropin, when used to treat cryptorchidism (a birth defect where the testes stay inside the body), has caused rapid development of sexual organs in some male children.

Geriatric

Studies have not shown any specific problems in older adults that would limit the use of chorionic gonadotropin injection.

Breast Feeding

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

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while others can be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or recommend other precautions. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

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

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor about any other medical problems, especially:

• Abnormal or unusual vaginal bleeding or
• Uncontrolled adrenal gland issues or
• High levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or
• Organ defects or
• Uncontrolled pituitary gland issues or
• Uncontrolled thyroid gland issues or
• Tumor in the brain (hypothalamus area or pituitary gland) or
• Tumor in the breast or
• Tumor in the ovary or uterus—This medicine should not be used in these cases.

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

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

• Cyst on the ovary or
• Fibroid tumors of the uterus—Chorionic gonadotropin can lead to further growth of ovarian cysts or fibroid tumors in the uterus.

Along with its necessary effects, this medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all side effects may happen, but if they do, they might need medical attention.

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

For females only

More common

• Mild bloating
• Stomach or pelvic pain

Less common or rare

• Moderate to severe bloating
• Decreased urine output
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Severe pelvic pain
• Rapid weight gain
• Severe stomach pain
• Swelling of feet or lower legs
• Trouble breathing
• Vomiting

For boys only

Less common

• Acne
• Enlargement of the penis and testes
• Growth of pubic hair
• Rapid increase in height

Incidence not known

• Chest tightness
• Flushing of the skin
• 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
• Redness of the skin
• Severe, sudden headache
• Skin rash
• Slurred speech
• Sudden loss of coordination
• Sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg
• Unusually warm skin
• Changes in vision

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. Your health care professional may also suggest 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
• Enlargement of breasts
• 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

Find detailed information on biosimilars for this medication.

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