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.
