Pregnyl Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Pregnyl Injection contains human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that acts like luteinizing hormone (LH) in the body. It is used to treat fertility problems in women and men, undescended testicles not caused by a blockage, and certain hormone-related conditions. It is given as an injection by a doctor or trained health professional, and doses vary depending on the condition being treated.

What is Pregnyl Injection

Pregnyl contains human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone naturally produced by the placenta during pregnancy. It acts like luteinizing hormone (LH) in the body and is used to treat fertility problems in women and men, as well as certain hormone-related conditions in children.

Pregnyl Injection uses

• Female infertility
• Male infertility
• Cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) not caused by a physical blockage
• Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in males (low hormone levels due to a pituitary gland problem)
• Induction of ovulation in women who are not ovulating due to a secondary cause

Benefits of Pregnyl Injection

• Helps stimulate ovulation in women trying to conceive
• Helps support fertility treatment such as IVF
• Helps improve sperm production in men with low sperm counts
• Can help testicles move into place in boys with undescended testicles
• Helps the body produce sex hormones in men with hormone deficiencies

How Pregnyl Injection works

Pregnyl works like a natural hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH). In women, it triggers the ovary to release an egg and supports early pregnancy hormone production. In men, it signals the testes to produce male hormones such as testosterone, which supports sperm production and can help undescended testicles move into place.

Pregnyl Injection dosage

This medicine is given as an injection into a muscle by a doctor or trained health professional; it is not meant to be self-injected at home. The powder must be mixed with the liquid solvent provided before use, and should not be shaken during mixing. Check the mixed solution for discoloration or particles before it is used; do not use it if it looks abnormal. Your doctor will monitor your progress with blood tests, ultrasounds, and other exams to check that the medicine is working and watch for side effects. If you miss a scheduled injection, contact your doctor for instructions rather than doubling up on the next dose.

Available forms and strengths

• Powder for solution (for injection)
• Solution (solvent for mixing)

Side effects of Pregnyl Injection

Common

• Bloating
• Stomach or pelvic pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache
• Irritability
• Reactions at the injection site (pain, redness, swelling, itching, bruising)
• Tiredness
• Enlargement of breasts
• Trouble sleeping
• Restlessness
• Feeling sad or low

Serious

• Severe bloating, stomach pain, rapid weight gain, or vomiting, which can be signs of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
• Trouble breathing, chest tightness, or fast breathing (possible lung problems)
• Signs of a serious allergic reaction such as hives, swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty swallowing (anaphylaxis)
• Signs of a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke such as chest pain, irregular heartbeat, sudden difficulty breathing, or swelling in the legs
• Severe, sudden headache, vision changes, slurred speech, or sudden weakness or numbness (possible stroke)
• Twisting of the ovary (ovarian torsion)
• Pregnancy with more than one baby (multiple births)
• Rapid, excessive puberty changes in boys treated for undescended testicles

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a serious and potentially life-threatening reaction involving fluid buildup in the body. 
• Early signs include severe pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight gain. Serious allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis, have been reported with this type of medicine. 
• This medicine may raise the risk of serious lung problems and blood clots, which can lead to stroke or heart attack in rare cases. This medicine can cause twisting of the ovary (ovarian torsion), which can damage the ovary if not treated quickly. This medicine increases the chance of becoming pregnant with more than one baby. 
• This medicine should not be used by people with certain cancers, tumors, or unexplained vaginal bleeding, or by those allergic to gonadotropin medicines. 
• This medicine is not an effective treatment for weight loss and should never be used for that purpose. In boys being treated for undescended testicles, this medicine can cause puberty to start too early. 
• reatment should be stopped if this happens.
• Pregnyl is not recommended for use during pregnancy. 
• It may be used to support the early phase after ovulation but is stopped once pregnancy is confirmed.
• It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks before using it while breastfeeding.
• This medicine should be used with caution in people with kidney disease.
• It is not known how this medicine interacts with alcohol. Talk to your doctor before drinking alcohol while using this medicine.

Storage

• Store unopened vials at room temperature (about 59°F to 77°F or 15°C to 25°C).
• If the mixed solution is not used right away, store it in the refrigerator (about 36°F to 46°F or 2°C to 8°C) and discard after 60 days.
• Do not shake the solution.
• Do not freeze the medicine.

When to see a doctor

Get medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as chest tightness, trouble swallowing, dizziness, hives, itching, rash, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or eyelids. Contact your doctor right away if you have bloating, diarrhea, severe nausea, stomach pain, rapid weight gain, or vomiting, as these may be signs of a serious condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Seek medical help immediately for symptoms of possible lung problems, such as blue lips, fingernails, or skin, chest tightness, coughing, fast or difficult breathing, fever, or rapid heartbeat. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice chest pain, irregular heartbeat, unusual warmth or flushing, increased coughing, sudden trouble breathing (especially at night), or swelling in your legs, as these could signal a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke. If you suspect a missed dose or overdose, contact your doctor or medical staff right away for guidance rather than trying to make up for it yourself.

Alternatives

Other brand names of chorionic gonadotropin include Chorex, Novarel, Ovidrel, and Profasi. Substitutes for this medicine listed include Hucog HP, Life, My HCG, Sifasi HP, and Zyhcg HP injections.