🔹 Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Injection 2000 IU – As Licensed
📄 Description:
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormonal injection used to induce ovulation, support early pregnancy, and treat infertility in both men and women. It mimics the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and triggers final maturation and release of the egg from the ovary.
💊 Prescription / Use:
- Indications:
- To induce ovulation after ovarian stimulation (e.g., following Clomiphene, Letrozole, or gonadotropins)
- Support of luteal phase in assisted reproduction
- Treatment of hypogonadism in males
- Cryptorchidism (undescended testes) in boys
- Typical Dose:
- 2000 IU to 10,000 IU depending on indication
- For ovulation: typically 5000 to 10,000 IU single dose
- In males: 2000–3000 IU 2–3 times/week for weeks/months
- Route: Intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC), depending on formulation
🔬 Nature:
- Hormone Type: Gonadotropin (glycoprotein hormone)
- Source: Derived from human placental chorionic cells or recombinant technology
- Mechanism of Action:
- Mimics LH surge, inducing ovulation in women
- Stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone in men
- Formulation: Lyophilized powder in a vial, with solvent for reconstitution
🌟 Advantages:
- Direct trigger for ovulation in infertility treatment
- Supports corpus luteum function post-ovulation
- Useful in male hypogonadism and delayed puberty
- Aids in testicular descent in cryptorchidism
📦 Packaging:
- Supplied as:
- One vial of powder (2000 IU) + ampoule/vial of solvent
- Comes in a carton with instructions
- Single-use after reconstitution
🧊 Storage:
- Store at 2°C to 8°C (refrigerated)
- Protect from light and freezing
- Use immediately after reconstitution
- Discard unused solution
⚠️ Precautions:
- Use only under supervision of a fertility or endocrinology specialist
- Contraindicated in:
- Pregnancy (unless used as luteal support)
- Prostate cancer or hormone-sensitive tumors
- Precocious puberty
- Known allergy to hCG
- Use with caution in:
- PCOS (risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome)
- Multiple follicle cycles
- Thrombophilia
- Possible side effects:
- Headache, irritability, depression
- Abdominal bloating
- Gynecomastia in males
- Injection site reactions
- OHSS (life-threatening in rare cases)
👩⚕️ Patient Advice:
- Take injection exactly on scheduled day and time (timing is critical for ovulation)
- Use reconstituted solution immediately
- Avoid sexual intercourse for 24–48 hours post-injection to prevent premature release
- Monitor for:
- Severe pelvic pain, bloating
- Signs of OHSS (especially if on ovarian stimulation drugs)
- Mood changes, weight gain
- In men: inform doctor if testicular swelling or gynecomastia occurs