Anticoagulants
Moderate
Database
OHSS increases VTE risk
VTE prophylaxis if OHSS develops
Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla
Drug reference
human chorionic gonadotropin
Recombinant / purified human chorionic gonadotropin (gonadotropin) · Assisted reproductive technology, treatment of male infertility, treatment of cryptorchidism, diagnostic agent
START
Ovulation trigger: 5,000–10,000 IU IM/SC single; hypogonadism: 1,000–4,000 IU IM 2–3×/wk
TYPICAL MAX
10,000 IU single dose (trigger)
STOP IF
OHSS signs, thromboembolism, or precocious puberty
WATCH
Follicular tracking / OHSS surveillance; testosterone levels (hypogonadism)
CDSCO approvedATC G03GA01
KDIGO 2024 + manufacturer label
- ONSET
- 4h · absorption
- PEAK
- 9h · serum Cmax
- t½
- 1.3d · t½
- DURATION
- 1.5d · ovulation
EXCRETION
Renal — intact hCG / metabolites
route + CYP
INTERACTIONS
—
none in our sources
PREGNANCY
Contraindicated in established pregnancy (used in ART / luteal-phase only).
FDA category + note
Mechanism
Glycoprotein hormone that mimics LH at LH/CG receptors — induces ovulation / luteal support in females and stimulates testicular testosterone / spermatogenesis in males; used in ART, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and cryptorchidism.
Indications
Ovulation induction (with FSH) in ARTTrigger of final follicular maturation in IVFHypogonadotropic hypogonadism (male, secondary)Cryptorchidism (paediatric, prepubertal)Luteal-phase support after ART
Dosing
- Adult
- Ovulation trigger: 5,000–10,000 IU IM/SC single dose after FSH stimulation. Hypogonadism: 1,000–4,000 IU IM 2–3 times weekly. Cryptorchidism: 4,000 IU IM 3 times weekly for 3 weeks.
- Pediatric
- Cryptorchidism: 500–4,000 IU IM (per protocol).
- Renal adjustment
- No specific adjustment.
- Hepatic adjustment
- No specific adjustment.
- Geriatric
- Not applicable to typical indications.
- Max dose
- 10,000 IU single dose (ovulation trigger)
Pharmacokinetics
Onset
Ovulation ~36 h after trigger; testosterone rise within days
Peak effect
~6–12 h (Tmax serum)
Duration
Action lasts days (long t½)
Half-life
~24–36 h
Bioavailability
SC ~80%; IM ~70%
Protein binding
Not applicable (glycoprotein hormone)
Metabolism
Proteolytic catabolism
Excretion
Renal (urinary excretion of intact hCG used in pregnancy tests)
Contraindications
- Sex hormone-dependent tumours (prostate, breast)
- Precocious puberty
- Hypersensitivity
Side effects
Common
Injection-site reactionsHeadacheFatigueFluid retentionMild gynaecomastia (males)
Serious
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
- Multiple pregnancy (with ART)
- Thromboembolism (with OHSS)
- Precocious puberty in paediatric use
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Contraindicated in established pregnancy (used in ART / luteal-phase only).
Lactation
Not applicable.
Drug interactions
Aromatase Inhibitors
Moderate
Database
Possible interference with oestrogen suppression
Avoid concurrent
Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla
Fsh
Mild
Database
Sequential in ART (intended)
Per protocol
Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla
Gnrh Agonists
Mild
Database
Sequential in ART
Per ART protocol
Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla
Sympathomimetics
Mild
Database
Possible synergy in androgen effects
Standard care
Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla
1 additional unreviewed or low-confidence interaction hidden because their provenance or source detail is insufficient.
Related guidelines
Induction of labour
FOGSI · Obstetrics & Gynaecology · 2019
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AHA · Neurology · 2021
Childhood immunisation schedule
IAP · Paediatrics · 2023
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis
ICMR · Infectious Diseases · 2022
Childhood pneumonia and respiratory infection
MOHFW · Paediatrics · 2021
Ask House about human chorionic gonadotropin
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Textbook-sourced·Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, Goodman & Gilman 14e·Updated: 2026-05-20·Cockpit curated: 2026-05-20