HCG Buying Guide: Pricing, Dosing & WHO-GMP Brands

✓ Medically reviewed by  ·  Last reviewed: May 2026

Morgan Ellis

Pharmacy Researcher · 8 years experience

Pharmacy researcher with 8 years reviewing clinical drug information, generic formulation equivalence, and international pharmaceutical standards. Focuses on patient-facing accuracy in medication education.

What HCG Actually Is

Human chorionic gonadotropin is a glycoprotein hormone naturally produced by the syncytiotrophoblast cells of the placenta during pregnancy. Its main physiological role in pregnancy is to maintain the corpus luteum so progesterone production continues during the first trimester. Pharmaceutical HCG is purified from the urine of pregnant donors (urinary HCG, sometimes labelled u-hCG) or produced via recombinant DNA technology in CHO cells (recombinant HCG, choriogonadotropin alfa, sold as Ovidrel/Ovitrelle).

The clinical relevance of HCG in non-pregnant patients comes from its near-identical receptor binding to luteinising hormone (LH). HCG and LH share the same alpha subunit; their beta subunits differ slightly but bind the same LHCG receptor on Leydig cells (men) and theca/granulosa cells (women). In pharmacological terms, HCG is a long-acting LH analogue. That single mechanism explains every legitimate clinical use and every off-label one.

Approved Clinical Uses

HCG is not FDA-approved for weight loss, for “boosting energy”, or as a primary anti-ageing therapy. It is also not a contraceptive, despite home pregnancy tests measuring HCG to detect pregnancy.

Off-Label Uses You’ll Read About

Two off-label use clusters drive most consumer demand:

1. HCG as adjunct on TRT

Exogenous testosterone suppresses pituitary LH output, which shuts down endogenous testicular stimulation. Within weeks of starting TRT most men experience testicular atrophy and decreased intratesticular testosterone (which is necessary for spermatogenesis). HCG, by mimicking LH, keeps the Leydig cells active. Standard adjunct doses are 250–500 IU 2–3× weekly subcutaneously. This protocol is widely used by US TRT clinics and is supported by observational data and expert consensus, although large randomised trials are limited. See our deep-dive at HCG for men: benefits, dosing, and TRT protocol.

2. HCG for post-cycle therapy (PCT)

After a cycle of anabolic steroids the HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis) is suppressed. HCG is sometimes used in the early PCT window to restart Leydig cell function before SERM-based recovery (clomiphene, tamoxifen). The protocol is controversial — overuse desensitises Leydig cells and may delay LH recovery. Dose, duration, and timing matter; standard PCT-only HCG protocols run 500–2,000 IU EOD for 7–14 days followed by SERM phase. Full protocol detail at our HCG PCT protocol guide.

3. The “HCG diet”

The Simeons-style 500-calorie HCG diet was popularised in the 1950s and revived by Kevin Trudeau in the 2000s. The premise — that HCG mobilises “abnormal fat stores” and prevents starvation-related muscle loss — is not supported by controlled trials. Weight loss observed on the protocol is attributable to severe caloric restriction, not HCG itself. The FTC issued enforcement actions against multiple “homeopathic HCG” sellers in 2011–2016. Phase calendar and the underlying mechanism (or absence of one) at our HCG diet phase calendar.

What HCG Costs in 2026

The cost spread between US-channel HCG and WHO-GMP international brands is wider than for almost any other peptide hormone. There are two reasons. First, HCG is a relatively old drug with broad generic competition globally; second, the US supply has been periodically constrained by FDA enforcement on compounding. The 2024–2025 FDA enforcement-discretion changes around Section 503A compounding closed several US channels that were keeping branded prices in check.

For TRT-adjunct dosing (250 IU SC 3× weekly = 750 IU/week), a 5,000 IU vial lasts approximately 6.5 weeks. At MedsBase WHO-GMP prices, that runs roughly $2–$3 per week. At branded US prices it runs $20–$30 per week — and that is before clinic markups, which can double the figure.

Where to Buy HCG: The Three Practical Paths

1. Traditional pharmacy with prescription

Insurance coverage of HCG depends on indication. For fertility-protocol use most US plans cover branded HCG with prior authorisation when prescribed by a reproductive endocrinologist; copays vary. For TRT-adjunct use coverage is uneven — some plans cover it under the same hypogonadism diagnosis code, others reject as “off-label”. For PCT or weight-loss use coverage is essentially zero.

2. US compounding pharmacy

Section 503A compounding pharmacies were a major HCG channel in the 2010s and early 2020s, particularly for the TRT-clinic ecosystem. The 2024–2025 FDA enforcement changes narrowed this channel. Compounded HCG remains legal but requires a patient-specific prescription, the pharmacy must be properly licensed in the state of dispensing, and the compounded product must address a clinical need that the FDA-approved branded product cannot. In practice this means many TRT clinics that bundled HCG with their testosterone protocol have either switched to branded Pregnyl/Novarel (raising patient cost) or quietly stopped offering HCG.

3. International pharmacy — WHO-GMP brands

HCG manufacturing is well established outside the United States. Indian manufacturers Bharat Serums (Eutrig HP), Bharat Biotech (HUCOG), Cadila (ZyHCG), and Lupin produce WHO-GMP-certified HCG that is widely used in fertility programmes across Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. International pharmacies ship these brands worldwide with reliable cold-chain logistics for the lyophilised powder format (the diluent is shipped separately at room temperature). MedsBase carries the four major brands listed above; see the fertility category for current stock.

Lyophilised Powder vs Pre-Mixed: Why It Matters for Shipping

HCG is supplied either as lyophilised powder (the dominant format internationally) or as pre-mixed solution (less common). Lyophilised HCG is stable at room temperature for 30 days and at refrigerator temperature for at least 24 months. Pre-mixed HCG, once reconstituted, has a clinical half-life of approximately 30 days under refrigeration but is much more sensitive to temperature excursions in transit.

Practical implication: international pharmacies almost universally ship the lyophilised format because it survives transit reliably. The end user reconstitutes with bacteriostatic water (recommended) or sterile water immediately before first use. We supply both bacteriostatic water and sterile water as separate SKUs for this reason. Reconstituted HCG should be refrigerated and used within 30 days at TRT-adjunct doses (see the dose protocol guide for working concentrations).

HCG Brands: A Practical Comparison

For most TRT-adjunct and fertility uses, urinary-source HCG and recombinant HCG are clinically equivalent. Recombinant Ovidrel is single-dose and substantially more expensive — its main advantage is precise standardisation and the absence of human-derived starting material. For PCT use, urinary-source brands are universally used.

Side Effects and Safety

For most users at TRT-adjunct doses, HCG is well tolerated. The most common adverse effects are:

• Injection-site reactions — mild erythema or bruising; standard subcutaneous technique minimises this.
• Acne, oily skin — mediated by increased intratesticular testosterone production; dose-dependent.
• Mood changes, headache, fatigue — generally mild at TRT-adjunct doses.
• Gynecomastia risk — at higher HCG doses, increased aromatase substrate (testosterone) can elevate estradiol; some men require concurrent aromatase inhibitor (anastrozole) or dose reduction. See our anastrozole (Anastronat).

Specific contraindications include known prior allergic reaction to HCG, precocious puberty (in pre-pubertal patients), prostate cancer or other androgen-dependent neoplasms, and uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction. In women undergoing fertility treatment, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is the dose-limiting risk; trigger doses are individualised based on follicle count and estradiol.

What Appears on Your Bank Statement

A frequent question from international purchasers: payment routes through a regulated crypto on-ramp processor, and the descriptor that appears on your statement is the processor name (such as a regulated card-payment processor). No medication name appears, and no pharmacy descriptor appears. For more detail see the credit card payment guide.

Where to Buy HCG at MedsBase

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between HCG and LH?

HCG and luteinising hormone (LH) share the same alpha subunit and bind the same LHCG receptor on Leydig cells in men and theca/granulosa cells in women. The beta subunit differs slightly. HCG has a much longer plasma half-life (~36 hours) than LH (~30 minutes), making it pharmacologically useful as a long-acting LH analogue for fertility induction and Leydig-cell stimulation. Functionally, they are interchangeable for most clinical purposes.

Is “homeopathic HCG” or sublingual drops real HCG?

No. HCG is a 36.7 kDa glycoprotein. Oral and sublingual routes degrade peptides rapidly. The FTC has issued multiple enforcement actions against sellers of “HCG drops”, “HCG pellets”, and “homeopathic HCG” — in nearly every tested case the product contained either no HCG or HCG below clinically meaningful concentrations. Pharmaceutical HCG is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Full pharmacology comparison at HCG injections vs drops.

Can I get HCG without a prescription?

In the US, branded HCG (Pregnyl, Novarel, Ovidrel) is prescription-only. International pharmacies operating under different regulatory regimes can supply WHO-GMP HCG worldwide without requiring a US prescription. Customs and import rules vary by destination country; most personal-use HCG shipments arrive without issue, but the legal landscape is jurisdiction-dependent.

What’s the cheapest legitimate HCG path?

For US insured patients with a fertility indication, manufacturer copay programmes can reduce branded Pregnyl/Novarel to $20–$50 per cycle. For TRT-adjunct or PCT use without insurance, international WHO-GMP brands at $13–$25 per 5,000 IU are typically the lowest legitimate option. Compare current pricing at the fertility category.

Does HCG show up on a steroid screen?

HCG is detected on standard WADA and UFC anti-doping panels because it is a banned substance for performance use. Most routine workplace and clinical drug screens do not test for HCG. Pregnancy tests detect HCG, so a man self-injecting HCG can produce positive home-pregnancy-test results — this is occasionally surfaced as a curiosity but has no clinical significance.

How long does a 5,000 IU vial last on TRT?

At a typical TRT-adjunct dose of 250 IU subcutaneous 3× weekly (750 IU/week), a 5,000 IU vial yields about 20 doses or 6.5 weeks of supply. At 500 IU twice weekly (1,000 IU/week), one vial lasts five weeks. Reconstituted HCG remains potent under refrigeration for at least 30 days. Working concentrations and reconstitution detail at our HCG dose protocol guide.

Can MedsBase ship HCG to my country?

Yes, MedsBase ships WHO-GMP HCG (HUCOG, Eutrig HP, ZyHCG, Puretrig) worldwide. Reliable cold-chain is achieved by shipping the lyophilised powder format with diluent shipped separately. Specific country import rules vary — most personal-use shipments arrive without issue under the Reshipment Assurance Policy.

Does HCG work for weight loss?

The Simeons-style 500-calorie HCG diet is not supported by modern controlled trials. Weight loss observed on the protocol is fully attributable to severe caloric restriction; HCG itself does not produce weight loss when caloric intake is adequate. The FDA has not approved HCG for weight management. For evidence-based weight-loss pharmacology, see our Best Weight Loss Medications 2026 guide.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is educational and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. HCG is a hormonal medicine with established contraindications including androgen-dependent malignancies, prior allergic reaction, and precocious puberty. Anyone considering HCG for fertility, TRT-adjunct, PCT, or any off-label use should review their personal history and laboratory baseline with a qualified clinician. Pricing and regulatory information here reflects published clinical guidance and pharmacy price reports as of 2026 and may change.

Written by

Sophie Chen

Pharmaceutical Content Researcher · 8 years experience

Sophie Chen is a pharmaceutical content researcher with 8 years covering generic medication access and clinical pharmacology. She specialises in international regulatory frameworks, bioequivalence standards, and patient-facing education on therapeutic drug classes. She is not a clinician.