Treats a condition where the testes (testicles) do not develop properly in boys. Also treats low hormone levels in men. Used as a part of infertility treatment to make a woman's ovary release an egg (ovulation). Sometimes called HCG.
Brand Names:
Novarel, Chorex, Profasi, Pregnyl
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), or if you have prostate cancer or similar kinds of cancer. A boy who has started puberty too soon (generally before age 9) should not use this medicine. You should not use this medicine if you are pregnant.
Uses:
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
If a dose is missed:
Call your doctor, pharmacist, or treatment clinic for instructions.
Storage:
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
This medicine comes as a powder that must be mixed with a special liquid before you can use it. If you store this medicine at home, keep the dry powder at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. After mixing the powder with the liquid, keep the mixture in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
You can keep the mixtures of Pregnyl® and Novarel™ in the refrigerator for up to 60 days. You can keep the mixture of Profasi® in the refrigerator for up to 30 days.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have heart disease, kidney disease, epilepsy (seizures), migraine headaches, or asthma.
For women: This medicine may cause more than one egg at a time to be released from your ovary. This means you may become pregnant with twins, triplets, or multiple babies. Talk with your doctor about this possibility before you start using this medicine.
The medicine may cause a boy to start puberty too soon. Call your doctor if your child starts to show signs of puberty while using this medicine. Some signs are acne, voice changes, getting taller too fast, or starting to grow hair in the armpit or on the face.
Profasi® contains benzyl alcohol. Tell your doctor if you have ever used benzyl alcohol before and it made you sick.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Chest pain, or coughing up blood
Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body
Pain in your lower leg (calf)
Severe nausea, vomiting, or pain in your pelvis (in women)
Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking
