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Chorionic Gonadotropin (hcg) Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 22, 2024.

Applies to chorionic gonadotropin (hcg): powder for solution, solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that the medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects. Blood and urine tests, semen testing, and ultrasound examinations are needed to check for any unwanted effects caused by this medicine.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor right away if you have chest tightness, cough, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, hives, itching, skin rash, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine may cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which can be life-threatening. Check with your doctor right away if you have bloating, diarrhea, severe nausea, stomach pain, rapid weight gain, or vomiting.

This medicine may cause serious lung problems (eg, atelectasis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or asthma). Check with your doctor right away if you have blue lips, fingernails, or skin, chest tightness, coughing, difficulty or fast breathing, fever, rapid heartbeat, or trouble breathing.

This medicine may increase your risk of having a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease. Contact your doctor right away if you have chest pain or tightness, a fast or irregular heartbeat, unusual flushing or warmth of the skin, increased coughing, trouble with breathing, a sudden difficulty with breathing at night, or abnormal swelling in your ankles or legs. These could be symptoms of serious heart problems or blood clots.

This medicine may cause more than one egg to be released from your ovary at the same time. This means you may become pregnant with more than one baby. Talk with your doctor about this possibility before you start using this medicine.

This medicine may increase your risk of having ovarian cancer if you received it more than one time to get pregnant. Talk to your doctor about this risk.

If your doctor has asked you to record your basal body temperature (BBT) daily, make sure that you know how to do this. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, chorionic gonadotropin (hcg) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking chorionic gonadotropin (hcg):

For females only

More common side effects

  • bloating (mild)
  • stomach or pelvic pain

Less common or rare side effects

  • bloating (moderate to severe)
  • decreased amount of urine
  • diarrhea
  • feeling of indigestion
  • nausea
  • pelvic pain (severe)
  • rapid weight gain
  • stomach pain, severe
  • swelling of feet or lower legs
  • trouble breathing
  • vomiting

For boys only

Less common side effects

  • acne
  • enlargement of penis and testes
  • growth of pubic hair
  • increase in height (rapid)

Incidence not known

  • chest tightness
  • flushing of the skin
  • hives or welts
  • itching of the skin
  • large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
  • pain in chest, groin, or legs, especially in the calves
  • redness of the skin
  • severe, sudden headache
  • skin rash
  • slurred speech
  • sudden loss of coordination
  • sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg
  • unusually warm skin
  • vision changes

Other side effects

Some side effects of chorionic gonadotropin (hcg) may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common side effects

  • bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
  • discouragement
  • enlargement of breasts
  • feeling sad or empty
  • headache
  • irritability
  • lack of appetite
  • loss of interest or pleasure
  • trouble concentrating
  • trouble sleeping
  • tiredness

For healthcare professionals

Applies to chorionic gonadotropin (hcg): injectable powder for injection, intramuscular powder for injection, subcutaneous powder for injection, subcutaneous solution.

General adverse events

HCG: The most commonly reported side effects included rash, groin pain, loin pain, and fever.

r-HCG: The most commonly reported side effects included injection site pain, headache not otherwise specified (NOS), nausea, and application site disorders.[Ref]

Local

HCG:

r-HCG:

Nervous system

HCG:

r-HCG:

Other

HCG:

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%: Fever

r-HCG:

Gastrointestinal

HCG:

r-HCG:

Genitourinary

HCG:

r-HCG:

Respiratory

HCG:

r-HCG:

Dermatologic

HCG:

r-HCG:

Musculoskeletal

r-HCG:

Psychiatric

HCG:

r-HCG:

Cardiovascular

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG):

Recombinant Chorionic Gonadotropin (r-HCG):

Renal

r-HCG:

Hypersensitivity

HCG:

r-HCG:

Metabolic

HCG:

r-HCG:

Endocrine

HCG:

Oncologic

r-HCG:

Hematologic

r-HCG:

See also:

References

1. "Product Information. Pregnyl (chorionic gonadotropin (HCG))." Organon

2. (2022) "Product Information. Novarel (chorionic gonadotropin (HCG))." Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc

3. "Product Information. Ovidrel (chorionic gonadotropin (HCG))." Serono Laboratories Inc

4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

Further information

Chorionic gonadotropin (hcg) side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.