This article describes the possible side effects of Pregnyl. You can learn more about Pregnyl by talking with your doctor.
Pregnyl is a brand-name biologic medication that comes as an injection. It’s available in a biosimilar version called chorionic gonadotropin. This article describes possible side effects of Pregnyl injection.
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More common side effects of Pregnyl
Pregnyl may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
The following are some of the more common side effects of Pregnyl that occurred during the drug’s studies. The more common side effects varied based on the condition being treated.
More common side effects reported in females† taking Pregnyl for stimulating ovulation (release of an egg) include:
More common side effects reported when doctors prescribe Pregnyl for men to increase testosterone or sperm production or to treat undescended testes in male† children include:
- acne
- edema (fluid retention)
- headache
- injection site reactions*
- irritability
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Pregnyl in detail” section below.
† Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms ”female“ and ”male“ to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
Mild side effects of Pregnyl
Pregnyl may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of Pregnyl that occurred in studies include:
- fatigue
- edema
- headache
- injection site reactions*
- irritability
- mild OHSS*
- painful breasts
- restlessness
Pregnyl may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Pregnyl in detail” section below.
Serious side effects of Pregnyl
Pregnyl may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Pregnyl, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Pregnyl.
Serious side effects of Pregnyl that occurred in studies of females using Pregnyl for stimulating ovulation and pregnancy include:
Serious Pregnyl side effects that occurred in studies of the drug in adult males to increase testosterone or sperm production or to treat undescended testes in male children include:
- breast tissue development
- depression
- early puberty in male children ages 4 to 9 years
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Pregnyl in detail” section below.
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For some people, Pregnyl can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.
In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Pregnyl, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Side effects of Pregnyl in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Pregnyl.
Injection site reactions
In studies, injection site reactions were common in people taking Pregnyl. This side effect is usually mild.
With injection site reactions, you have local symptoms where the needle enters the skin. These may include:
- bruising
- itching
- pain
- skin discoloration
- swelling
Sometimes, an allergic reaction happens at the injection site and causes a rash.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of an injection site reaction, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend ways to manage it, such as over-the-counter pain relievers and cool compresses.
Multiple pregnancy
Multiple pregnancy was reported in females taking Pregnyl for stimulating ovulation. This side effect may be serious.
With multiple pregnancy, there is more than one fetus. This can include twins, triplets, or more. Multiple pregnancy increases the chance of an ectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy outside the uterus. It also increases the chance of pregnancy loss.
Multiple pregnancy makes delivery more prone to risks for both the mother and her babies.
Ways to manage
If you have concerns about multiple pregnancy, talk with your doctor. They’ll tell you about the risks and how they plan to manage the risks should a multiple pregnancy happen.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
OHSS has been reported in females taking Pregnyl for stimulating ovulation. This side effect may be serious and life threatening.
OHSS is a complication of fertility treatments. It may cause a number of symptoms, including nausea, weight gain, and shortness of breath. In serious cases, fluid can build up in the body, including in the abdominal area or the lungs.
With OHSS, you have an exaggerated response to Pregnyl’s effect on the ovaries. Usually, Pregnyl will cause mild swelling of the ovaries as it stimulates them to release an egg. Symptoms of mild swelling may include:
- diarrhea
- mild abdominal pain or discomfort
- nausea
Mild OHSS can progress to severe OHSS, which is a medical emergency. Symptoms of severe OHSS include:
- bloating
- chest pain
- decreased urination
- rapid weight gain
- severe nausea
- severe pelvic pain
- shortness of breath
- swelling or tightness in the abdomen
- vomiting
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of mild OHSS, tell your doctor. They’ll want to monitor you closely. Seek immediate medical care if you have symptoms of severe OHSS.
Warnings for Pregnyl
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before using Pregnyl.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to use Pregnyl if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Pregnyl is a safe treatment option for you.
Before using Pregnyl, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Pregnyl and pregnancy
Pregnyl should not be used during pregnancy. Your doctor will stop Pregnyl treatment once pregnancy is confirmed. Don’t stop using Pregnyl until your doctor asks you to discontinue it.
Pregnyl and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether Pregnyl should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.
Pregnyl is not known to interact with alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with Pregnyl.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
