Pregnyl (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)
hCG is used for treating fertility problems in certain women who have not gone through menopause. Pregnyl is also used for treating certain testicular development problems and stimulating the development of secondary sexual characteristics in certain patients. It is also used to treat boys 4 to 9 years of age who have testicles that have not moved into the scrotum. hCG is a hormone. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) stimulates cells in the testicles to produce androgens. Androgens cause the development of male secondary sexual characteristics (eg, hair growth, deepening voice) and may cause the testicles to drop. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) stimulates ovulation (release of an egg) in women.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that supports the normal development of an egg in a womans ovary, and stimulates the release of the egg during ovulation. hCG is used to cause ovulation and to treat infertility in women, and to increase sperm count in men. hCG is also used in young boys when their testicles have not dropped down into the scrotum normally. This can be caused by a pituitary gland disorder.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Dosage
The dose of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctors orders or the directions on the Pregnyl label. The following information includes only the average doses for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of doses you receive each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you receive the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are receiving chorionic gonadotropin.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin for treating men with problems related to low levels of male hormones:
Adults — 1000 to 4000 Units injected into the muscle two to three times a week. You may need to receive this medicine for several weeks, months, or longer. If you are being treated for a low sperm count and have been on this medicine for six months, your doctor may give you another hormone medicine (menotropin or urofollitropin injection). You may need to receive both of these medicines together for up to twelve more months.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin to help pregnancy occur in women:
Adults — 5000 to 10,000 Units injected into the muscle on a day chosen by your doctor. The dose and day will depend on your hormone levels and the other medicines that you have been using.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin for the treatment of cryptorchidism (condition where testes do not develop properly):
Children — 1000 to 5000 Units injected into the muscle two to three times a week for up to ten doses.
Side effects of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some other effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following Human Chorionic Gonadotropin side effects occur:
For females only:
More common:
Bloating (mild); stomach or pelvic pain.
Less common or rare Pregnyl side effects:
Abdominal or stomach pain (severe); bloating (moderate to severe); decreased amount of urine; feeling of indigestion; nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (continuing or severe); pelvic pain (severe); shortness of breath; swelling of feet or lower legs; weight gain (rapid).
For boys only:
Less common Human Chorionic Gonadotropin side effects:
Acne; enlargement of penis and testes; growth of pubic hair; increase in height (rapid).
Frequency not determined:
Difficult or labored breathing; difficulty breathing; flushing of skin; hives or welts; itching of skin; large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs; pain in chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves; redness of skin; severe, sudden headache; shin rash; slurred speech; sudden loss of coordination; sudden, severe weakness or numbness in arm or leg; sudden, unexplained shortness of breath; tightness in chest; unusually warm skin; vision changes; wheezing.
