Pregnyl (Chorionic Gonadotropin for Injection)

Pregnyl (chorionic gonadotropin for injection) is a hormone medicine used to treat certain fertility and hormone problems. It’s made from a hormone that naturally comes from the placenta during pregnancy and is collected from the urine of pregnant people, then purified in a lab. This hormone acts like a natural hormone in the body called luteinizing hormone (LH), which is involved with ovulation and reproduction. Pregnyl is used as a fertility treatment in women who have trouble getting pregnant or other hormone-related conditions in both men and women.

Directions

Pregnyl is usually given as a single injection of 5,000–10,000 units one day after the last dose of fertility medicine like menotropins. The powder is mixed with the provided diluent right before use and the solution should be injected immediately. It can be given into a muscle or under the skin, depending on your doctor’s instructions. Each 10,000-unit vial is for one patient only, and the unmixed powder should be stored at room temperature.

Ingredients

The active ingredient in this drug is chorionic gonadotropin.

Cautions

• Before using this medication, you may want to consult a healthcare provider about the following:
  • Any existing health conditions
  • Any allergies
  • A list of all medications currently being taken
• Pregnyl is used with fertility treatments and should only be given by doctors or healthcare providers experienced in managing infertility. Regular monitoring with blood tests and ultrasounds is needed to make sure the ovaries are responding safely.
• A rare but serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) has been reported with hCG products. Seek emergency care right away if you have trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a severe reaction after an injection.
• A major risk of Pregnyl is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), which can happen after the medicine is stopped. Early signs include severe pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, sudden weight gain, or feeling short of breath.
• Fertility medications, including Pregnyl, can also increase the risk of blood clots and lung problems. Women with clotting disorders, obesity, or a personal or family history of clots may be at higher risk.
• Ovarian twisting (ovarian torsion) has been reported in women taking fertility drugs, especially if the ovaries become enlarged. Pregnyl may also increase the chances of twins or other multiple pregnancies.
• Women using assisted reproductive treatments have a slightly higher chance of ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus) and miscarriage, mostly due to the underlying infertility.
• Pregnyl can cause fluid retention and should be used carefully in people with heart, kidney, migraine, seizure, or asthma conditions. Before treatment, your doctor may check for hormone imbalances or other medical problems that could affect fertility care.
• Pregnyl is not used during pregnancy, and treatment stops once pregnancy is confirmed. In children treated for certain conditions, Pregnyl may cause early puberty and should be stopped if this occurs.
• Use while breastfeeding should be discussed with a doctor.

Contraindications

Avoid taking or using this medication if any of the following apply:

• Allergy or bad reaction to hCG or similar fertility hormones or any ingredient in the medicine
• Blood tests showing high FSH levels that mean the ovaries are permanently not working (primary ovarian failure)
• Uncontrolled hormone problems not related to the ovaries or testes (for example, serious thyroid, adrenal, or pituitary gland disorders)
• Tumors in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland in the brain
• Cancers or tumors of the ovary, uterus, or breast in women
• Cancers or tumors of the breast or prostate in men
• Abnormal development or malformations of the uterus or other reproductive organs that make pregnancy not possible
• Uterine fibroids (noncancerous growths) that are so severe they prevent pregnancy
• Unusual vaginal bleeding where the cause has not been found yet

Side Effects

Common side effects of Pregnyl include:

• Headache
• Irritability or restlessness
• Injection-site pain, redness, swelling, or itching
• Fatigue or mild fluid retention
• Abdominal discomfort, nausea, or breast tenderness (more common in females)

These reactions are usually mild and improve with time or supportive care. Women may also experience temporary ovarian enlargement or mild symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation, such as bloating or stomach upset. Men may occasionally notice water retention or breast tenderness from increased hormone levels.

More serious side effects can occur, especially in women getting fertility treatment. Pregnyl can contribute to OHSS, which may lead to rapid weight gain, severe stomach pain, large ovarian cysts, fluid buildup in the chest or abdomen, and, in rare cases, blood clots or ovarian cyst rupture. Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, have also been reported in both men and women. Seek immediate medical attention for difficulty breathing, chest pain, sudden swelling, or signs of severe OHSS.