Chorex (subcutaneous, intramuscular, injection)

Chorex (subcutaneous, intramuscular, injection)

Chorex (subcutaneous, intramuscular, injection)

Uses for Chorex

Chorionic gonadotropin is a drug whose action is almost identical to that of luteinizing hormone (LH) produced by the pituitary gland. It is a hormone that is normally produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Chorionic gonadotropin is used differently in women and men.

In women, chorionic gonadotropin is used to aid conception. It is usually given in combination with other medicines such as menotropins and urofollitropin. Many women treated with these medications have typically already tried clomiphene alone and have not yet been able to become pregnant. Chorionic gonadotropin is also used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs.

In men, LH and chorionic gonadotropin stimulate the testicles to produce male hormones such as testosterone. Testosterone causes enlargement of the penis and testicles as well as the growth of pubic and armpit hair. It also increases sperm production.

Although chorionic gonadotropin has been prescribed to some patients to help lose weight, it should never be used in this way. If used improperly, chorionic gonadotropin can cause serious problems.

This medicine should only be administered by or under your doctor's direct supervision.

Before using Chorex

When deciding whether to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the benefits it produces. This is a decision that you and your doctor will make. The following should be noted with this medicine:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your doctor if you have other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives or animals. For over-the-counter products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatrics

Related studies conducted to date have not shown any pediatric problems that would limit the benefit of chorionic gonadotropin injection in children. However, children are more likely to experience early puberty, which may require caution or dose adjustment in patients receiving this drug.

Chorionic gonadotropin, used to treat cryptorchidism (a birth defect in which the testicles remain inside the body), has caused some male children's sexual organs to develop too quickly.

geriatrics

Related studies conducted to date have not shown any geriatric-specific problems that would limit the benefit of chorionic gonadotropin injection in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

There are insufficient studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this drug while breast-feeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines can be used together, although interactions may occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your doctor if you are taking other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken during or near food or consumption of certain foods because interactions may occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain medications can also lead to interactions. Discuss using your medicine with food, alcohol or tobacco with your doctor.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Abnormale oder ungewöhnliche Vaginalblutungen oder
• Nebennierenprobleme, unkontrolliert oder
• Hoher Spiegel des follikelstimulierenden Hormons (FSH) oder
• Organdefekte bzw
• Hypophysenprobleme, unkontrolliert oder
• Schilddrüsenprobleme, unkontrolliert oder
• Tumor im Gehirn (Hypothalamusbereich oder Hypophyse) oder
• Tumor in der Brust bzw
• Tumor im Eierstock oder in der Gebärmutter – Sollte bei Patienten mit diesen Erkrankungen nicht angewendet werden.

• Blutgerinnsel (z. B. Lungenembolie, venöse Thromboembolie) oder Vorgeschichte von oder
• Blutgefäßprobleme bzw
• Hypertonie (Bluthochdruck) bzw
• Lungen- oder Atemprobleme oder
• Migräne bzw
• Eierstockprobleme, Geschichte von oder
• Anfälle bzw
• Schlaganfall, Geschichte von oder
• Chirurgie, Vorgeschichte – Mit Vorsicht verwenden. Kann diese Bedingungen verschlimmern.

• Krebs der Prostata bzw
• Frühreife Pubertät (eine Erkrankung, die bei Jungen vor dem 9. Lebensjahr zu einer frühen Pubertät führt) – Ein Anstieg der Testosteronmenge im Blutkreislauf kann diese Erkrankungen verschlimmern.

• Zyste am Eierstock oder
• Myomtumoren der Gebärmutter – Choriongonadotropin kann ein weiteres Wachstum von Zysten am Eierstock oder Myomtumoren der Gebärmutter verursachen.

Correct use of Chorex

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as an injection into a muscle.

Precautions when using Chorex

It is very important that your doctor checks your progress at regular visits to make sure the medicine is working properly and to check for any unwanted side effects. Blood and urine tests, semen tests, and ultrasound scans are needed to check for possible adverse effects of this medication.

This medicine can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Consult your doctor immediately if you have chest tightness, cough, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, hives, itching, rash, swelling or puffiness of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, or have unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine can cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which can be life-threatening. Consult your doctor immediately if you have bloating, diarrhea, severe nausea, stomach pain, rapid weight gain, or vomiting.

This medicine can cause serious lung problems (e.g. atelectasis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or asthma). Consult your doctor immediately if you have blue lips, fingernails or skin, chest tightness, cough, difficulty breathing or rapid breathing, fever, fast heartbeat or difficulty breathing.

This medicine may increase your risk of a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease. Contact your doctor immediately if you have chest pain or tightness, a fast or irregular heartbeat, unusual redness or warmth of the skin, increased cough, difficulty breathing, sudden difficulty breathing at night, or unusual swelling in your ankles or legs. These could be symptoms of serious heart problems or blood clots.

This medicine may cause more than one egg to be released from your ovary at the same time. This means you may become pregnant with more than one baby. Talk to your doctor about this possibility before you start using this medicine.

This medicine may increase your risk of ovarian cancer if you have received it more than once before pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about this risk.

If your doctor has asked you to record your basal body temperature (BBT) daily, make sure you know how to do it. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

Chorex side effects

In addition to the necessary effects, a medicine may also have some undesirable effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, medical attention may be required if they occur.

Contact your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

For women only

More common

• Blähungen (leicht)
• Magen- oder Beckenschmerzen

Less common or rare

• Blähungen (mittelschwer bis schwer)
• verringerte Urinmenge
• Durchfall
• Gefühl der Verdauungsstörung
• Brechreiz
• Beckenschmerzen (stark)
• schnelle Gewichtszunahme
• Magenschmerzen, stark
• Schwellung der Füße oder Unterschenkel
• Atembeschwerden
• Erbrechen

Only for boys

Less common

• Akne
• Vergrößerung von Penis und Hoden
• Wachstum von Schamhaaren
• Höhenzunahme (schnell)

Incident not known

• Engegefühl in der Brust
• Rötung der Haut
• Nesselsucht oder Striemen
• Juckreiz der Haut
• Große, bienenstockartige Schwellung im Gesicht, an Augenlidern, Lippen, Zunge, Hals, Händen, Beinen, Füßen oder Geschlechtsorganen
• Schmerzen in Brust, Leiste oder Beinen, insbesondere in den Waden
• Rötung der Haut
• starke, plötzliche Kopfschmerzen
• Hautausschlag
• undeutliches Sprechen
• plötzlicher Koordinationsverlust
• Plötzliche, starke Schwäche oder Taubheitsgefühl im Arm oder Bein
• ungewöhnlich warme Haut
• Sehstörungen

Some side effects may occur that usually do not require medical attention. These side effects may disappear during treatment as your body gets used to the medicine. Your doctor may also be able to give you ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects persist or are bothersome, or if you have any questions, contact your doctor:

Less common

• Blutungen, Blasenbildung, Brennen, Kälte, Verfärbung der Haut, Druckgefühl, Nesselsucht, Infektion, Entzündung, Juckreiz, Knoten, Taubheitsgefühl, Schmerzen, Hautausschlag, Rötung, Narbenbildung, Schmerzen, Stechen, Schwellung, Empfindlichkeit, Kribbeln, Geschwüre oder Wärme an der Injektionsstelle
• Entmutigung
• Vergrößerung der Brüste
• sich traurig oder leer fühlen
• Kopfschmerzen
• Reizbarkeit
• Appetitlosigkeit
• Verlust von Interesse oder Vergnügen
• Konzentrationsschwierigkeiten
• Schlafstörungen
• Müdigkeit

Some patients may also experience other side effects not listed. If you notice other side effects, contact your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Commonly used brand names

In the USA

• Chorex
• Novarel
• Ovidrel
• Pregnyl
• Profasi

In Canada

• Choriongonadotropin

Available dosage forms:

• Pulver zur Lösung
• Lösung

Therapeutic Class: Endocrine-metabolic agent

Pharmacological class: Gonadotropin

More information