Short answer: Both are chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) from the urine of pregnant people, injected into a muscle.12 Their labels list the same three uses (undescended testicles in boys, some men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and triggering ovulation) and the same dose regimens. Pregnyl comes in 10,000 USP unit vials; Novarel in 5,000 or 10,000. Neither has a boxed warning or reports a trial against the other.
| Pregnyl | Novarel | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Chorionic gonadotropin obtained from the urine of pregnant persons1 | Chorionic gonadotropin derived from human pregnancy urine2 |
| Maker | Organon1 | Ferring2 |
| Vials | 10,000 USP units per multiple-dose vial, with a solvent containing benzyl alcohol1 | 5,000 or 10,000 USP units per multiple-dose vial, with bacteriostatic water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol2 |
| Ovulation trigger | 5,000 to 10,000 USP units 1 day after the last dose of gonadotropins1 | 5,000 to 10,000 USP units one day after the last dose of menotropins2 |
| Undescended testicles (one listed regimen) | 4,000 USP units 3 times weekly for 3 weeks, among four regimens1 | 4,000 USP Units three times weekly for three weeks, among four regimens2 |
| Side effects listed | Headache, irritability, restlessness, depression, swelling, fatigue; injection site bruising, pain, redness, swelling and itching1 | Headache, irritability, restlessness, depression, fatigue, swelling, early puberty, breast growth, injection site pain2 |
| Boxed warning | None1 | None2 |
The Pregnyl label has a longer, newer-style warnings section. Beyond ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and multiple pregnancy, it covers serious lung problems and blood clots, ovarian torsion, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and birth defects after assisted reproduction, and ovarian tumors, and it says Pregnyl may be used for luteal phase support but is stopped once pregnancy is confirmed.1 The Novarel label lists four principal serious reactions with menotropins: ovarian hyperstimulation, enlargement or rupture of ovarian cysts, multiple births and arterial blood clots. It also warns that benzyl alcohol in the diluent has been linked to a fatal gasping syndrome in premature infants.2
Both say hCG may cause early puberty in boys treated for undescended testicles, can cause fluid retention, and can affect LH blood tests, and both say hCG has not been shown to work for obesity.12
Which, if either, fits is for your prescriber. More detail: Pregnyl side effects, Novarel side effects, the Pregnyl and Novarel dosing schedules, the hCG missed-dose page, Ovidrel vs Pregnyl: how do recombinant and urinary hCG differ? and hCG vs enclomiphene: how do they differ?.