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Gonadotrophin (Ovulation Trigger)

Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG)

Brand names: Ovitrelle (choriogonadotropin alfa), Pregnyl (urinary hCG)

Human chorionic gonadotrophin is a gonadotrophin used in assisted reproduction to trigger final oocyte maturation and ovulation, and in the treatment of certain hypogonadotrophic and fertility disorders.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It mimics luteinising hormone by acting on LH/hCG receptors, inducing final follicular maturation and ovulation and supporting corpus luteum progesterone production.

Prescribing in practice

  • Administering the trigger can precipitate or worsen ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, so it must be used under specialist supervision with careful response assessment.
  • Multiple pregnancy risk is increased and timing of the trigger relative to oocyte retrieval is critical.
  • hCG can interfere with pregnancy testing for a period after administration; exclude relevant tumours before use.

Monitoring

Assess follicular maturity by ultrasound before triggering and watch for features of ovarian hyperstimulation afterwards.

Counselling the patient

  • The timing of this injection is important for your treatment cycle, so follow instructions precisely.
  • Report abdominal swelling, pain, breathlessness or reduced urine output promptly.
  • A pregnancy test soon after the injection may be misleading, so test only when advised.

Evidence & guidelines

hCG triggering of final oocyte maturation is standard practice within NICE-supported assisted reproduction protocols.

Reference: ESHRE ART Guidelines; NICE CG156; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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