Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics after subcutaneous and intramuscular injection of human chorionic gonadotropin

Abstract

Objective: The pharmacokinetics and efficiency of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) after subcutaneous (SC) injection was to clarify in comparison with the intramuscular (IM) mode of administration.

Design: In a prospective study, the pharmacokinetics of hCG and the response of serum testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) after an IM and SC injection of 5,000 IU hCG were evaluated up to 144 hours in two randomized groups.

Setting: The study was carried out in a clinical dermatology department providing tertiary care.

Participants: Twenty-four healthy male volunteers with a mean age of 22.7 +/- 4.3 years were divided into two groups.

Interventions: Human chorionic gonadotropin (5,000 IU) was injected IM or SC.

Main outcome measure: Serum concentration of /b-hCG, T, LH, and FSH were evaluated after IM and SC administration of hCG. Differences between the two groups were determined by t-test.

Results: Compared with IM administration of hCG, peak serum drug concentration was significantly delayed (P = 0.01) and serum half-life was prolonged (P = 0.01) after SC injection; however, T, LH, and FSH responses were identical.

Conclusions: Subcutaneous application of 5,000 IU hCG is as effective as IM administration in terms of steroidogenesis.