Chorionic Gonadotropin

Registered South African indications:

• Subfertility
• Medically assisted reproductive techniques
• Luteal phase support
• Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism
• Delayed puberty
• Cryptorchidism

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients
• Pregnancy
• Presence of uncontrolled non-gonadal endocrinopathies
• Breast, uterine or ovarian tumours
• Vaginal bleeding of unknown cause
• Testicular tumours
• Prostate carcinoma
• Mammary carcinoma
• Malformations of the sexual organs incompatible with pregnancy
• Fibroid tumours of the uterus incompatible with pregnancy

Cautions

• Breastfeeding
• Renal impairment
• Hepatic impairment
• Tubal abnormalities
• Thyroid disorders
• Adrenal disorders
• Diabetes mellitus
• Family or personal history or risk factors for thrombosis
• Severe obesity
• Thrombophilia
• Cardiac failure
• Hypertension
• Epilepsy
• Migraine
• Prepubertal boys

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: inj

Ovulation induction or preparation of follicles for puncture (females)

• IM/SC: 5000-10000 IU (five thousand to ten thousand international units), as a single injection

Luteal phase support (females)

• IM/SC: 1000-3000 IU (one thousand to three thousand international units), given as 2-3 repeat injections, within 9 days following ovulation or embryo transfer

Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (males)

• IM/SC: 500-1000 IU (five hundred to one thousand international units), 2-3 times per week; Minimum treatment duration: 3 months

Cryptorchidism

• IM/SC: 1500 IU (one thousand five hundred international units), twice weekly; Treatment duration: 6 weeks

Paed. forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: inj

Delayed puberty (males)

• IM/SC: 1500 IU (one thousand five hundred international units), 2-3 times weekly; Treatment duration: 6 months

Cryptorchidism

Younger than 2 years

• IM/SC: 250 IU (two hundred and fifty international units), twice weekly; Treatment duration: 6 weeks

Between 2-6 years

• IM/SC: 500-1000 IU (five hundred to one thousand international units), twice weekly; Treatment duration: 6 weeks

Older than 6 years

• See adult dosage

Pregnancy

• FDA Pregnancy Category X 

Breastfeeding

• Caution

Renal Impairment

• Caution; no dose adjustment recommended

Hepatic Impairment

• Caution; no dose adjustment recommended 

Elderly

• No dose adjustment recommended

Central Nervous System Disorders

• Headache
• Mood changes in females

Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal discomfort
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Bloating
• Ascites
• Weight gain
• Hydrothorax

Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

• Water and sodium retention
• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome 
• Painful breasts
• Mild to moderate enlargement of ovaries
• Ovarian cysts
• Gynaecomastia

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

• Local site reactions

Immune, Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders

• Generalized rash
• Fever

No information available

Signs and symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Chorionic gonadotropin stimulates the steroidogenesis in the gonads by virtue of a biological effect similar to that of luteinizing hormone, which is the same as interstitial cell stimulating hormone. In the male it promotes the production of testosterone and in the female the production of oestrogens and particularly of progesterone after ovulation.

Injection (per amp) 1500iu

• Pregnyl (MSD) originator

Injection (per amp) 5000iu

• Pregnyl (MSD) originator (Discontinued: 02/10/2018)