Hucog (HCG)

Hucog is Bharat Biotech's HCG injection, in a vial of 1ml vial. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the pregnancy hormone, used in medicine because it acts like luteinising hormone (LH) on the ovaries and testes.

In women, hCG is given during fertility treatment to trigger the final maturation and release of an egg once the follicles have grown, timed before intrauterine insemination or egg collection for IVF.nnIn men, hCG treats hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, where the testes are healthy but the pituitary does not send the LH signal. It restarts testosterone production inside the testes and, with FSH, sperm production. It is also prescribed alongside testosterone therapy to keep the testes working and preserve fertility, and for undescended testes in boys.

hCG binds to the same receptor as LH. In the ovary that triggers ovulation and supports the corpus luteum; in the testis it stimulates the Leydig cells to make testosterone. Because the testosterone is made inside the testes rather than injected, the testes keep their size and the sperm-producing tissue keeps its high local testosterone. A dose of hCG stays active for several days, longer than the body's own LH.

hCG comes as a powder in a vial with a separate ampoule of sterile water. It is mixed just before use and injected under the skin or into a muscle. In fertility treatment a single trigger dose is given at the time the clinic sets. In men it is given two or three times a week, at a dose set from testosterone and oestradiol blood tests, for as long as the doctor prescribes.nnOnce mixed it is kept in the refrigerator and used within the time the leaflet states. Follow your clinic's instructions on dose, timing and injection technique.

• Headache, tiredness, irritability and mood changes.n- Pain, swelling or bruising at the injection site.n- In men: a rise in oestrogen with breast tenderness or gynaecomastia, water retention, acne and, with high doses, over-stimulated testes.n- In women undergoing fertility treatment: ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), with abdominal swelling, pain and nausea, which needs urgent medical attention when severe; multiple pregnancy.n- Rarely: blood clots and allergic reactions.

hCG is not used in people with hormone-dependent cancers (prostate, breast, ovarian, testicular), undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, or an early puberty history in children. It is used in fertility treatment only under clinic monitoring with ultrasound and blood tests. Men on hCG have testosterone and oestradiol checked so the dose can be adjusted. It is banned in competitive sport.