HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a hormone used to treat fertility issues, such as stimulating ovulation in women and boosting testosterone production in men with low levels. It is also used off-label for weight loss, though this use is controversial.

⦁ In Women: Stimulates ovulation by mimicking Luteinizing Hormone (LH), encouraging egg release.
⦁ In Men: Stimulates testosterone production by acting like LH on the testes.
⦁ In Weight Loss: Claims to suppress appetite and promote fat burning, but not scientifically supported.

Contraindications & Precautions
⦁ Contraindications: Not for use in pregnancy, ovarian cysts, or prostate cancer.
⦁ Precautions: Use cautiously in those with pituitary disorders or at risk for multiple pregnancies during fertility treatments.

Interactions
⦁ Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and other fertility drugs may interact, increasing risks like OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome).
⦁ Steroids or anabolic steroids may affect HCG’s action.

Adverse Reactions / Side Effects
⦁ Common: Injection site pain, headaches, mood swings, and fatigue.
⦁ Serious: Risk of OHSS, multiple pregnancies, or blood clots.
⦁ Rare: Allergic reactions, gynecomastia in men (breast enlargement).

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
⦁ Pregnancy: Not recommended unless for fertility treatment.
⦁ Breastfeeding: Use with caution, as limited data is available.

Store dry powder at 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C) and away from heat, moisture and light. Once reconstituted keep this medicine in a refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Throw away any unused medicine after the beyond use date. Do not flush unused medications or pour down a sink or drain.

1. Organon. (2011). Pregnyl (chorionic gonadotropin for injection, USP) [Prescribing Information]. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/018216s031lbl.pdf – LinkOpens in New Tab
2. MedlinePlus. (2022, December 12). Chorionic gonadotropin injection. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682335.html – LinkOpens in New Tab
3. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2015). Optimizing natural fertility: A committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility, 103(3), 522-528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.12.033 – LinkOpens in New Tab
4. Lijesen, G. K., Theeuwes, J. W., Assendelft, W. J., Van Der Wal, G., & Ferrier, M. B. (1995). The effect of HCG in the treatment of obesity by means of the Simeons therapy: A criteria-based meta-analysis. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 40(3), 237-243. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.1995.tb05790.x – LinkOpens in New Tab
5. National Institutes of Health. (2021). HCG diet: Is it safe and effective? National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Retrieved from https://nccih.nih.gov/news/hcg-diet – LinkOpens in New Tab
6. Hoffman, B. L., Schorge, J. O., Schaffer, J. I., Halvorson, L. M., Bradshaw, K. D., & Cunningham, F. G. (2020). Williams gynecology (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
7. DailyMed. (2022). Chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) injection [Label information]. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b9fc5af3-5a9e-472e-a9cc-2032deab80e6 – LinkOpens in New Tab
8. Mayo Clinic. (2021). Prostate cancer: Causes, symptoms, and diagnosis. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer – LinkOpens in New Tab
9. American Cancer Society. (2023). Hormone therapy for breast cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-therapy.html – LinkOpens in New Tab
10. Briggs, G. G., Freeman, R. K., & Yaffe, S. J. (2017). Drugs in pregnancy and lactation: A reference guide to fetal and neonatal risk (11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
11. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2017). Thromboembolism in pregnancy. Practice Bulletin, 196, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000002257 – LinkOpens in New Tab
12. Goldstein, D. J. (1999). Beneficial effects of HCG therapy on migraine and fluid balance. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 84(6), 2050-2055. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.84.6.5766 – LinkOpens in New Tab
13. Schally, A. V., & Arimura, A. (1975). Hypothalamic regulation of the pituitary hormones. Annual Review of Physiology, 37, 379-408. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ph.37.030175.002115 – LinkOpens in New Tab
14. Lexicomp. (2023). HCG drug monograph. Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
15. Speroff, L., & Fritz, M. A. (2005). Clinical gynecologic endocrinology and infertility (7th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
16. Sturgeon, C. M., & Viljoen, A. (2011). Analytical error and interference in immunoassay: minimizing risk. Annals of Clinical Biochemistry, 48(5), 418-432. https://doi.org/10.1258/acb.2011.011062 – LinkOpens in New Tab
17. Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2016). Use of exogenous gonadotropins for ovulation induction in anovulatory women: A committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility, 106(7), e94-e99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.09.040 – LinkOpens in New Tab
18. FDA Adverse Event Reporting System. (2022). Chorionic gonadotropin: Adverse effects database. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
19. WebMD. (2023). HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) side effects. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-15717/hcg-intramuscular/details – LinkOpens in New Tab
20. Reiter, E. O., & Fuld, K. (2006). Precocious puberty and related disorders. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 91(9), 3854-3859. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2006-0509 – LinkOpens in New Tab
21. Drugs..com. (2023). HCG side effects. Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/sfx/hcg-side-effects.html – LinkOpens in New Tab
22. Practice Committee of the ASRM. (2016). Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Fertility and Sterility, 106(7), e251-e256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.08.048 – LinkOpens in New Tab
23. U.S. FDA. (2018). Pregnancy and lactation labeling (Drugs). Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/labeling-information-drug-products/pregnancy-and-lactation-labeling-drugs – LinkOpens in New Tab
24. Hale, T. W. (2019). Medications and mothers’ milk (18th ed.). Springer Publishing.
25. NICE. (2017). Fertility problems: Assessment and treatment. Clinical guideline [CG156]. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
26. World Health Organization. (2012). Guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility. WHO Press.
27. Zitzmann, M., & Nieschlag, E. (2000). Hormone treatment in male hypogonadism. Endocrine Reviews, 21(5), 579-607. https://doi.org/10.1210/edrv.21.5.0409 – LinkOpens in New Tab
28. U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention. (2022). USP : Pharmaceutical compounding -Sterile preparations. United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary.
29. Medisca. (2023). Stability data for reconstituted lyophilized peptides. Technical bulletin.