HCG Side Effects
Generic name: chorionic gonadotropin (hcg)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 29, 2022.
Note: This document contains side effect information about chorionic gonadotropin (hcg). Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name HCG.
Applies to chorionic gonadotropin (hcg): powder for solution, solution.
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 as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking chorionic gonadotropin (hcg):
For females only
More common
- Bloating (mild)
- stomach or pelvic pain
Less common or rare
- Abdominal or stomach pain (severe)
- bloating (moderate to severe)
- decreased amount of urine
- feeling of indigestion
- nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (continuing or severe)
- pelvic pain (severe)
- shortness of breath
- swelling of feet or lower legs
- weight gain (rapid)
For boys only
Less common
- Acne
- enlargement of penis and testes
- growth of pubic hair
- increase in height (rapid)
Frequency not determined
- difficult or labored breathing
- difficulty breathing
- flushing of skin
- hives or welts
- itching of skin
- large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs
- pain in chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves
- redness of skin
- severe, sudden headache
- skin rash
- slurred speech
- sudden loss of coordination
- sudden, severe weakness or numbness in arm or leg
- sudden, unexplained shortness of breath
- tightness in chest
- unusually warm skin
- vision changes
- wheezing
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:
Less common
- Discouragement
- enlargement of breasts
- feeling sad or empty
- headache
- irritability
- lack of appetite
- loss of interest or pleasure
- pain at place of injection
- trouble concentrating
- trouble sleeping
- tiredness
After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, Check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:
For females only
Less common or rare
- Abdominal or stomach pain (severe)
- bloating (moderate to severe)
- decreased amount of urine
- feeling of indigestion
- nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (continuing or severe)
- pelvic pain (severe)
- shortness of breath
- weight gain (rapid)
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to chorionic gonadotropin (hcg): injectable powder for injection, intramuscular powder for injection, subcutaneous powder for injection, subcutaneous solution.
General
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]
More about HCG (chorionic gonadotropin (hcg))
- Check interactions
- Reviews (12)
- Latest FDA alerts (3)
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: gonadotropins
Patient resources
Other brands
Pregnyl, Ovidrel, Chorex, Novarel, Profasi
Professional resources
Related treatment guides
References
1. "Product Information. Pregnyl (chorionic gonadotropin (HCG))." Organon
2. "Product Information. Novarel (chorionic gonadotropin (HCG))." Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc (2022):
3. "Product Information. Ovidrel (chorionic gonadotropin (HCG))." Serono Laboratories Inc
4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.