HCG Side Effects

Generic name: chorionic gonadotropin (hcg)

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

Note: This document provides detailed information about HCG.

Applies to chorionic gonadotropin (hcg): powder for solution, solution Side Effects associated with chorionic gonadotropin (hcg). Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name HCG.

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 of HCG

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

For boys only

Other side effects of HCG

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:

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:

• Frequency not reported: injection site pain, injection site rash, localized hypersensitivity reaction

r-HCG:

• Very common (10% or more): Injection site pain (up to 19.5%), application site disorder (up to 14.6%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site bruising, injection site inflammation, injection site reaction, vessel site hemorrhage^[Ref]

Nervous system

HCG:

• Frequency not reported: Headache

r-HCG:

• Very common (10% or more): Headache NOS (up to 18%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Frequency not reported: Dizziness, hypesthesia, paresthesia, twitching^[Ref]

Other

HCG:

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%: Fever

• Frequency not reported: Fatigue, pain, swelling, tiredness

r-HCG:

• Very common (10% or more): Post-operative pain (up to 15.7%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pain, pyrexia, rigors, tiredness
• Frequency not reported: Body pain, chromosomal abnormality (47, XXX), congenital anomaly of the fetus/newborn, Down's syndrome, fever, major congenital malformations, malaise, missed abortion, placenta previa, premature birth, premature labor, spontaneous abortion^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

HCG:

• Frequency not reported: Abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, acute abdominal pain, ascites, bloating, diarrhea, gastrointestinal symptoms, nausea

r-HCG:

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 14.6%), abdominal pain (up to 11.2%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain lower, mouth ulceration, vomiting
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diarrhea
• Frequency not reported: Abdominal enlargement, flatulence, hemoperitoneum^[Ref]

Genitourinary

HCG:

• Frequency not reported: Large ovarian cysts (prone to rupture), mild ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), mild to moderate enlargement of ovaries, ovarian cysts, painful breasts, severe OHSS, unwanted ovarian hyperstimulation

r-HCG:

• Common (1% to 10%): Dysmenorrhea, intermenstrual bleeding, ovarian cyst, ovarian hyperstimulation, mild/moderate OHSS
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Breast pain, severe OHSS
• Frequency not reported: Adnexal torsion, albuminuria, cervical lesion, dysuria, ectopic pregnancy, genital herpes, genital moniliasis, leukorrhea, mild to moderate ovarian enlargement, ovarian enlargement, ovarian torsion, postpartum fever, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection, uterine disorders, vaginal discomfort, vaginal hemorrhage, vaginitis^[Ref]

Respiratory

HCG:

• Frequency not reported: Dyspnea, hydrothorax, shortness of breath

r-HCG:

• Common (1% to 10%): Pharyngolaryngeal pain, rhinorrhea, upper respiratory tract infections NOS
• Frequency not reported: Acute pulmonary distress, cough, hiccup, pharyngitis, pulmonary complications, upper respiratory tract infection^[Ref]

Dermatologic

HCG:

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Generalized rash
• Frequency not reported: Acne, erythema/redness, itching, urticaria

r-HCG:

• Common (1% to 10%): Ecchymosis
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Mild reversible skin reactions, rash
• Frequency not reported: Pruritus^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

r-HCG:

• Common (1% to 10%): Groin pain, loin pain
• Frequency not reported: Back pain, cranial malformation^[Ref]

Psychiatric

HCG:

• Frequency not reported: Depression, irritability, mood changes, restlessness

r-HCG:

• Common (1% to 10%): Emotional disturbance NOS
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depression, irritability, restlessness
• Frequency not reported: Emotional lability, insomnia^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG):

• Frequency not reported: Bruising, edema, thromboembolism

Recombinant Chorionic Gonadotropin (r-HCG):

• Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral swelling
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Shock, thromboembolism
• Frequency not reported: Atrial septal defect, cardiac arrhythmia, heart murmur, hot flashes, vascular complications
• Postmarketing reports: Thromboembolic events^[Ref]

Renal

r-HCG:

• Common (1% to 10%): Pyelonephritis NOS^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

HCG:

• Frequency not reported: Allergic reactions, angioedema, systemic hypersensitivity reactions

r-HCG:

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anaphylactic reactions, mild to severe hypersensitivity reactions
• Postmarketing reports: Allergic reactions, mild systemic allergic reactions^[Ref]

Metabolic

HCG:

• Frequency not reported: Sodium retention, water retention, weight gain

r-HCG:

• Frequency not reported: Hyperglycemia^[Ref]

Endocrine

HCG:

• Frequency not reported: Excessive androgen production, gynecomastia, precocious puberty^[Ref]

Oncologic

r-HCG:

• Frequency not reported: Benign/malignant ovarian neoplasms, cervical carcinoma^[Ref]

Hematologic

r-HCG:

• Frequency not reported: Leukocytosis^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

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.

Medical Disclaimer