What it's for (Indications)
- In males, for the treatment of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (a clinical syndrome resulting from gonadal failure), delayed puberty associated with insufficient gonadotropic pituitary function, and prepubertal cryptorchidism not due to anatomical obstruction.
- In females, to induce ovulation due to impaired follicle ripening or anovulation.
- This medicine, such as IVF-C 5000 injection, increases the probability of conception (e.
- g.
- , 10-20% chance), but does not guarantee pregnancy.
Dosage Information
| Type | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Standard | This medicine is for intramuscular use only. The dosage regimen is highly individualized, depending on the indication, patient age, weight, and physician's preference. For Prepubertal Cryptorchidism Not Due To Anatomical Obstruction, several regimens are advocated: 1) 4,000 USP units three times weekly for three weeks; 2) 5,000 USP units every second day for four injections; 3) 15 injections of 500 to 1,000 USP units over a period of six weeks; 4) 500 USP units three times weekly for four to six weeks (if unsuccessful, a subsequent course may involve 1,000 USP units per injection after one month). For Selected Cases Of Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism In Males: 1) 500 to 1,000 USP units three times a week for three weeks, followed by the same dose twice a week for three weeks; 2) 4,000 USP units three times weekly for six to nine months, potentially reducing to 2,000 USP units three times weekly subsequently. Local formulations like IVF-C 5000 injection align with common unit dosages used in these regimens. |
Safety & Warnings
Common Side Effects
- Common side effects include headache, fatigue (tiredness), edema, irritability, restlessness, depression, mood changes, and pain at the site of injection.
- Other potential adverse reactions include sensitivity reactions, precocious puberty, and gynecomastia.
Serious Warnings
- Black Box Warning: None
- Monitor hormone levels in anovulatory infertility.
- Use with caution in patients with asthma, epilepsy, migraine, heart, and kidney disorders.
- The effects in lactating females are unknown; medical consultation is advised before use.
- If dizziness occurs, do not drive or perform tasks requiring alertness.
- Mild effects on liver and kidney are possible.
- Alcohol consumption is discouraged during treatment.
How it Works (Mechanism of Action)
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), exemplified by medicines like GHC-5000, is a glycoprotein hormone that functionally mimics the actions of luteinizing hormone (LH). Its primary mechanism involves binding to and activating the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCG-R), a G protein-coupled receptor expressed on various reproductive tissues. In females, hCG supports the corpus luteum by stimulating its continued production of progesterone, which is vital for maintaining the uterine lining and early stages of pregnancy. Therapeutically, exogenous hCG is used to trigger final oocyte maturation and induce ovulation by mimicking the natural LH surge, particularly in assisted reproductive technologies. In males, hCG stimulates the Leydig cells within the testes via the LHCG-R to produce testosterone and other androgens. This action is crucial for promoting testicular descent, initiating and maintaining spermatogenesis, and supporting the development of male secondary sexual characteristics. The intracellular signaling cascade typically involves activation of adenylyl cyclase, leading to an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and subsequent activation of protein kinase A (PKA), ultimately driving steroidogenesis and cellular differentiation processes. The pharmacological utility of hCG is predicated on its ability to leverage these physiological pathways.