Choriogonadotropin Alfa

Class: Gonadotropins and Antigonadotropins
ATC Class: G03GA08
VA Class: HS900
Chemical Name: Gonadotropin, chorionic (human α-subunit protein moiety reduced), complex with chorionic gonadotropin (human β-subunit protein moiety reduced)
Molecular Formula: C₄₃₇H₆₈₂N₁₂₂O₁₃₄S₁₃
CAS Number: 177073-44-8
Brands: Ovidrel

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on May 23, 2022. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Gonad-stimulating hormone; biosynthetic (recombinant DNA-derived) form of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Uses for Choriogonadotropin Alfa

Female Infertility

Used in conjunction with other infertility agents (e.g., gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, FSH) for induction of final follicular maturation and early luteinization in ovulatory, infertile women during assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs.

Use in patients with tubal obstruction only if participating in ART programs.

Choriogonadotropin alfa (r-hCG) is equivalent to urinary-derived hCG with regard to number of oocytes recovered, fertilized oocytes or embryos, and live births.

Used in conjunction with follicle-stimulating agent to induce ovulation in anovulatory, infertile women in whom anovulation is functional and not due to primary ovarian failure.

Choriogonadotropin alfa (r-hCG) is similar to urinary-derived hCG with regard to ovulation rates.

Choriogonadotropin Alfa Dosage and Administration

General

• Should be prescribed only by clinicians experienced in infertility treatment and who are familiar with cautions, precautions, and contraindications associated with such therapy.

• Prior to treatment initiation with choriogonadotropin alfa, perform a thorough gynecologic and endocrinologic evaluation; assess pelvic anatomy and rule out early pregnancy, primary ovarian failure (as indicated by increased serum concentrations of FSH and LH and low serum estrogen concentrations), and neoplasms. (See Contraindications under Cautions.) Perform a thorough diagnostic evaluation in patients who demonstrate abnormal uterine bleeding and other signs of endometrial abnormalities. (See Contraindications under Cautions.) Evaluate partner’s infertility.

• When ultrasound assessment and serum estradiol concentrations show sufficient follicular maturation, administer choriogonadotropin alfa 1 day after last dose of follicle-stimulating agent to complete final follicular maturation and induce ovulation.

• Withhold further follicle-stimulating therapy and delay or withhold choriogonadotropin alfa if ovaries show an excessive response to treatment with gonadotropins because of increased risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). (See Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome under Cautions.)

• Encourage daily sexual intercourse beginning 1 day prior to administration of choriogonadotropin alfa until ovulation occurs (as determined by rise in basal body temperature, increase in serum progesterone concentrations, and menstruation following shift in basal body temperature)....