hCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, is very similar in structure to the pituitary hormone LH (Luteinizing hormone (ovaries in women and testicles in men). These hormones are necessary for the normal growth and ripening of egg and sperm cells.
hCG is indicated for induction of ovulation and pregnancy in the anovulatory, infertile woman in whom the cause of anovulation is secondary and not due to primary ovarian failure, and who has been appropriately pretreated with human menotropins.
Do not use hCG injection if you have any of the following:
- Allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in this medicine.
- A known or suspected sex hormone-dependent tumor in the ovaries, breast, uterus, prostate, testicles, or brain (pituitary or hypothalamus).
- Reproductive glands (ovaries or testicles) that are not working, due to so-called ‘gonadal failure’.
- A malformation of the sex organs that make pregnancy impossible.
- Uterine fibroids (myomas), which make pregnancy impossible.
- Heavy or irregular vaginal bleeding, other than menstrual bleeding without a diagnosed cause
Precautions
Inform your doctor if you have any of the following:
- Have uncontrolled pituitary gland or hypothalamic problems.
- Have an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).
- Have adrenal glands that are not working properly (adrenocortical insufficiency).
- Have high prolactin levels in the blood (hyperprolactinemia).
- Have any other medical conditions (for example, diabetes, heart disease, or any other long-term disease).
Side Effects
Headache, irritability, restlessness, depression, fatigue, edema, precocious puberty, gynecomastia, pain at the site of injection.
Hypersensitivity reactions, both localized and systemic in nature, have been reported.
Pregnancy
Category X -may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman
Storage
Store in a refrigerator, protect from light. 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.
References
Castillo, J. C., Humaidan, P., & Bernabéu, R. (2014). Pharmaceutical options for triggering of final oocyte maturation in ART. BioMed research international, 2014, 580171.
Pritts EA, Atwood AK. Luteal phase support in infertility treatment: a meta-analysis of the randomized trials. Hum Reprod 2002;17:2287-99
El Tokhy O, Kopeika J, El-Toukhy T. An update on the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Womens Health (Lond). 2016;12(5):496-503. doi:10.1177/1745505716664743
Engmann, L.L., Maslow, B.S., Kaye, L.A. et al. Low dose human chorionic gonadotropin administration at the time of gonadotropin releasing-hormone agonist trigger versus 35 h later in women at high risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome – a prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial. J Ovarian Res 12, 8 (2019).
Demirol A, Gurgan T. Comparison of microdose flare-up and antagonist multiple-dose protocols for poor-responder patients: a randomized study. Fertil Steril. 2009 Aug;92(2):481-5. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.07.006. Epub 2008 Nov 5. PMID: 18990368.
Partsinevelos GA, Antonakopoulos N, Kallianidis K, Drakakis P, Anagnostou E, Bletsa R, Loutradis D. Addition of low-dose hCG to rFSH during ovarian stimulation for IVF/ICSI: is it beneficial? Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2016;43(6):818-825. PMID: 29944230.
