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Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
What is hCG?
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the pregnancy hormone. Taken as a medication, it is used to induce or stimulate ovulation in women with certain types of ovarian failure or in women undergoing an assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Administration of hCG:
hCG is injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly depending on your body weight and protocol. In general, patients with a body mass index (BMI) of <30 take hCG subcutaneously; those with a higher BMI, intramuscularly.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and make sure that the surface you work on is clean.
- Remove the plastic flip-tops from both vials. Wipe the rubber stoppers with alcohol swabs.
- Carefully remove the needle cover. Do not touch the needle or allow the needle to touch any surface.
- Pull back on the plunger to the 1cc mark.
- Carefully insert the needle through the rubber stopper into the vial with the sterile water.
- Gently inject the air into the vial. Without withdrawing the needle, turn the vial upside down and withdraw 1cc or all of the water into the syringe, making sure the tip of the needle is always below the liquid level. Withdraw the needle from the vial.
- Insert the needle through the rubber stopper into the vial containing the powder. After inserting the needle, slowly inject the sterile water (diluent) toward the side of the powder. Gently swirl the solution until the powder is dissolved and clear. Do not shake. The liquid should become clear.
- Without withdrawing the needle, turn the vial upside down and withdraw all of the reconstituted into the syringe. Be sure the tip of the needle remains in the liquid while you withdraw the medication. Withdraw the needle from the vial.
For subcutaneous administration:
Recap the needle and pull back on the plunger. Replace the needle with a new, ½ inch needle.
For intramuscular administration:
No needle change is needed.
*Please note this injection may cause a false positive pregnancy test.