Chorex

Chorex is part of the drug class:

• Gonadotropins

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain chorionic gonadotropin. It may not be specific to Chorex. Please read with care.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For injection dosage form:
  • For treating men with problems related to low levels of male hormones:
    • Adults—1000 to 4000 Units injected into the muscle two to three times a week. You may need to receive this medicine for several weeks, months, or longer. If you are being treated for a low sperm count and have been on this medicine for six months, your doctor may give you another hormone medicine (menotropin or urofollitropin injection). You may need to receive both of these medicines together for up to twelve more months.
  • To help pregnancy occur in women:
    • Adults—5000 to 10,000 Units injected into the muscle on a day chosen by your doctor. The dose and day will depend on your hormone levels and the other medicines that you have been using.
  • For the treatment of cryptorchidism (condition where testes do not develop properly):
    • Children—1000 to 5000 Units injected into the muscle two to three times a week for up to ten doses.

Applies to chorionic gonadotropin (hcg): powder for solution, solution

Along with its needed effects, chorionic gonadotropin (hcg) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking chorionic gonadotropin (hcg):

• Bloating (mild)
• stomach or pelvic pain

• Abdominal or stomach pain (severe)
• bloating (moderate to severe)
• decreased amount of urine
• feeling of indigestion
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (continuing or severe)
• pelvic pain (severe)
• shortness of breath
• swelling of feet or lower legs
• weight gain (rapid)

• Acne
• enlargement of penis and testes
• growth of pubic hair
• increase in height (rapid)

• difficult or labored breathing
• difficulty breathing
• flushing of skin
• hives or welts
• itching of skin
• large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs
• pain in chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves
• redness of skin
• severe, sudden headache
• skin rash
• slurred speech
• sudden loss of coordination
• sudden, severe weakness or numbness in arm or leg
• sudden, unexplained shortness of breath
• tightness in chest
• unusually warm skin
• vision changes
• wheezing

Some side effects of chorionic gonadotropin (hcg) may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Discouragement
• enlargement of breasts
• feeling sad or empty
• headache
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• loss of interest or pleasure
• pain at place of injection
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• tiredness

After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

• Abdominal or stomach pain (severe)
• bloating (moderate to severe)
• decreased amount of urine
• feeling of indigestion
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (continuing or severe)
• pelvic pain (severe)
• shortness of breath
• weight gain (rapid)

Applies to chorionic gonadotropin (hcg): injectable powder for injection, intramuscular powder for injection, subcutaneous powder for injection, subcutaneous solution

General

General side effects have included headache, irritability, restlessness, fatigue, and edema.[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included precocious puberty and gynecomastia.[Ref]

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included depression.[Ref]

Local

Local side effects have included pain at the site of injection.[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have included isolated cases of allergic reactions, manifesting mainly as mild reversible skin rashes. Postmarketing reports have included anaphylactic reactions.[Ref]

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included the occurrence of arterial thromboembolism.

Some side effects of Chorex may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

Ovulation Induction (if the cause of anovulation is secondary and not due to primary ovarian failure):

chorionic gonadotropin:
5000 to 10,000 units IM one day following last day of menotropins.

recombinant chorionic gonadotropin:
250 mcg subcutaneously one day following last dose of follicle-stimulating agent.

Prepubertal cryptorchidism (usually between ages of 4 and 9 years and not due to anatomical obstruction):

4000 units IM three times a week for 3 weeks or,
5000 units IM on every other day for four injections or,
500 to 1000 units IM for 15 injections over a period of 6 weeks or,
500 units three times a week for 4 to 6 weeks; if not successful, may repeat series at 1000 unit dosage one month later.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) has been assigned to pregnancy category X by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed evidence of defects of forelimbs and central nervous system. Alterations in sex ratio has been reported in animal studies on combined gonadotropin and chorionic gonadotropin therapy in dosages to induce superovulation. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is considered contraindicated during pregnancy. It should not be administered after conception has occurred.

There are no data on the excretion of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) into human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for adverse reactions due to human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in nursing infants, caution is recommended if HCG is administered to a nursing woman.