Chorionic Gonadotropin Human, Injection kor-ee-ON-ik goh-NAD-oh-troh-pin HYOO-man

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: hormone; gonadotropin

Generic and brand names: chorionic gonadotropin human, injection; Novarel; Pregnyl

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (a shot) to:

• help women become pregnant by stimulating ovulation (release of the egg from the ovary) when given with other medicines
• treat undescended testicles (prepubertal cryptorchidism)
• absence or decreased function of testes in males

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a cyst on your ovary
• a tumor in your pituitary gland
• abnormal uterine bleeding
• asthma
• heart disease
• kidney disease
• migraine headaches
• ovaries that do not develop eggs because of a problem in the ovary itself
• seizures
• thyroid or adrenal gland problems
• tumors that are sex-hormone-dependent, such as prostate or breast cancer

If you are pregnant this medicine can seriously harm the baby. You must have a negative pregnancy test before you start this treatment. Stop taking this medicine at the first sign that you may be pregnant and contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed during this treatment.

How do I use it?

Your healthcare provider may give you the shots. Keep all appointments for shots.

Sometimes you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you.

If your healthcare provider determines that you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you, read and follow carefully the instructions that come in the medicine package. Ask your provider or pharmacist to explain anything you do not understand. Use sterile disposable syringes and needles. Use them only once and dispose of them safely, according to your provider's instructions.

Do not mix the medicine until you are ready to inject it. The medicine comes as a powder and a liquid that you mix together. After mixing the powder and liquid, gently swirl the medicine until all the powder is gone and the liquid is clear. Do not shake. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before giving these shots.

1. The shots are given into a muscle, such as the upper buttocks. Each day, choose a different spot for the shot to lessen irritation.
2. Use an alcohol swab to sterilize the skin where you will give yourself the shot.
3. Gently pinch up the skin and insert the needle into the skin at a 90° angle. After you insert the needle completely, release your grasp of the skin. Inject the solution by pushing down the plunger.
4. Gently pull back on the plunger of the syringe. If no blood appears, inject all of the solution by gently and steadily pushing down the plunger. If blood appears when you pull back on the plunger, withdraw the needle and syringe and gently press the alcohol swab on the injection site. Start over with a fresh needle.
5. After you have given yourself the shot, withdraw the needle and syringe and press the alcohol swab at the place where the shot was given.
6. Discard the syringe, needle, and drug vial. Use the syringes and needles only once. Throw them away after use. Put used needles in rigid puncture-resistant containers with lids or caps, such as heavy plastic detergent or bleach bottles with screw caps. DO NOT throw needles directly into garbage cans or dumpsters.

If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

Women: If you miss a dose or an appointment for a dose, ask your healthcare provider when you should receive your next dose.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

You will have a physical exam, hormone tests, and other tests before you start treatment. Women will also have a pregnancy test to be sure that they are not pregnant when receiving this medicine.

Your healthcare provider will monitor you closely after these shots. You will have several ultrasound scans and blood tests to determine how this medicine is working. Keep all your appointments for tests.

If you think you are pregnant, stop taking this medicine and contact your provider right away.

This medicine may cause multiple births (two or more babies in one pregnancy).

You may have abdominal pain or swelling, which goes away within 2 to 3 weeks. If it becomes severe, contact your healthcare provider.

Rarely, this medicine causes a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. The symptoms are severe abdominal bloating and pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, reduced urination or burning when you urinate. If you have these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe pelvic or abdominal pain or bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained swelling, chest pain, shortness of breath, inability to urinate, vaginal bleeding, numbness or weakness (especially on one side of your body); confusion; sudden or severe headache; pain or swelling in your leg or calf; problems with speech, vision, or balance; signs of early puberty in children (acne, voice changes, sudden height increase, or facial hair).

Other: Irritation or inflammation where the shots are given, breast pain or swelling, headache, irritability, restlessness, tiredness, depression.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store the medicine at room temperature before mixing. After mixing the powder with the provided liquid, store the vial in the refrigerator. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Discard any unused Novarel after 30 days; discard any unused Pregnyl after 60 days.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.