Human chorionic gonadotropin or human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone produced in pregnancy and clinically it is also used to induce ovulation in the ovaries as well as testosterone production in the testes. The urine of the pregnant women is collected to extract hCG for treatment. It is used in the fertility treatment programs all over the world.

Since early 50’s a new found use has become popular and that is the weight loss programs for the obese. The powdered form that is marketed by pharmaceutical companies is highly soluble that is a pure substance. This form of hCG is stable and may be kept in room temperature. When this is dispensed it can be either in an injectable form or in the form of oral drops in solution. A suitable solvent is used in ampoule.

When treating vials containing 10 cc of solvent in used in which the powder is instantly dissolved. In a standard 1000 I.U. bottle a total of 8 injections are furnished. In the clinic a regular practice is to use the same vial for the patients and a fresh solution is made when it is empty, hence each patient does not have their own bottle.

The HCG is a specialized treatment practiced by regular health care personals, and hence should not be tried at home or individually. The injections are of 0.25 cc. or 125 I.U., which is the standard dose of most of the cases. An insulin syringe is used for the purpose, and since this is a small amount a good number of patients handled from the same vial become easy and it is diluted for easy administration.

Today the use of the injectable method has lost its charm since the patient has to regularly visit the clinic for the purpose and in some countries there is a ban for buying injections over the counter. But since this is a proven way of weight loss, the opting for the injectable treatment has not lost its marketability, and another reason being you have to be under the supervision of a specialist and so feel safe to lose weight the healthy way.