HCG General Information
What is HCG?Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone that supports the normal development of an egg in a woman’s ovary, and stimulates the release of the egg during ovulation. HCG is used to cause ovulation and to treat infertility in women, and to increase sperm count in men. HCG is also used in young boys when their testicles have not dropped down into the scrotum normally. This can be caused by a pituitary gland disorder. HCG may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about HCG?Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is given as an injection under the skin or into a muscle. If you use this medicine at home, your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will give you specific instructions on how and where to inject this medicine. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these signs of a blood clot: pain, warmth, redness, numbness, or tingling in your arm or leg; confusion, extreme dizziness, or severe headache. Some women using this medicine have developed a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), especially after the first treatment cycle. OHSS can be a life-threatening condition. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of OHSS: severe pelvic pain, swelling of the hands or legs, stomach pain and swelling, shortness of breath, weight gain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, and urinating less than normal. HCG can cause early puberty in young boys. Call your doctor if a boy using this medicine shows early signs of puberty, such as a deepened voice, pubic hair growth, and increased acne or sweating.
Using this medicine can increase your chances of having a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, quadruplets, etc). A multiple pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy for the mother and for the babies. Follow your doctor’s instructions about any special care you may need during your pregnancy. Although HCG can help you become pregnant, this medication is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that using the medication once you are pregnant can cause birth defects in the baby. Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
HCG Mixing
Each bottle of HCG will arrive lyophilized (in powder form) and will need to be reconstituted (mixed) with a separate solution (diluent). The diluent is Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP containing 0.9% Benzyl Alcohol added as an antimicrobial preservative. Refrigerate after reconstitution.
HCG – 5,000 IU
• Add 5 ML/CC of provided fluid to the HCG 5,000 unit vial of powder (the 3ml/cc mixing syringe will need to be filled several times in order to transfer all the fluid into the powder)• Gently swirl (Do not shake) solution until all the powder is mixed• Each line on the syringe is equal to 10 units of HCG once the medication is mixed. So, if your Doctor orders 100 units of HCG you will draw enough medication to fill the syringe to the ‘10’ line. See the diagram below as an example.• Your Doctor will decide the dose and frequency that you will be using HCG which will be provided in these instructions.• You may continue to use this mixture for up to 60 days, but remember to keep it REFRIGERATED after mixing.
HCG – 11,000 IU
• Add 11 ML/CC of provided fluid to the HCG 11,000 unit vial of powder (the 3ml/cc mixing syringe will need to be filled several times in order to transfer all the fluid into the powder)• Gently swirl (Do not shake) solution until all the powder is mixed• Each line on the syringe is equal to 10 units of HCG once the medication is mixed. So, if your Doctor orders 100 units of HCG you will draw enough medication to fill the syringe to the ‘10’ line. See the diagram below as an example.• Your Doctor will decide the dose and frequency that you will be using HCG which will be provided in these instructions.• You may continue to use this mixture for up to 60 days, but remember to keep it REFRIGERATED after mixing.
Storage: Once mixed keep HCG in the refrigerator. Prior to being mixed, HCG can be kept at room temperature although it is good habit to store unmixed HCG in the refrigerator. If HCG is left out of the fridge after being mixed it will not damage the medication. Try not to keep it unrefrigerated for more than 72 hours after being mixed.
Dosing Protocol:
Units on the syringe = IU
10 units = 100iu of HCG
25 units = 250iu
50 units = 500iu