Description
HCG 5000 IU Injection (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) – Standard IVF Trigger Shot for Female Fertility and Male Hypogonadism
Reviewed by a licensed physician | Last updated: April 2026 Prescription advised | Timing is critical in IVF — always follow your fertility specialist’s exact instructions
What It Is
HCG 5000 IU Injection, GENERIC Pregnyl / Novarel contains Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) — a glycoprotein hormone that mimics luteinising hormone (LH) in the body, triggering ovulation in women and testosterone production in men.
5000 IU vs 10000 IU — which is used when? This is the single most important clinical distinction that no other product page addresses — and the reason patients and prescribers search for this specific dose:
| Dose | When Used | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 5000 IU | Standard IVF/IUI trigger, most fertility protocols, male hypogonadism maintenance, PCT | Standard clinical dose — lower OHSS risk, equivalent efficacy in most patients |
| 10000 IU | High-responder protocols, when fertility specialist specifically prescribes higher dose, older patients with lower ovarian reserve | Higher LH surge mimicry, used when stronger stimulus needed |
Most fertility clinics worldwide use 5000 IU as their default trigger shot dose. The 10000 IU dose is reserved for specific cases where the prescribing specialist determines a stronger stimulus is required. If your clinic has not specified which strength — 5000 IU is almost certainly what they mean.
Available Indian brands at 5000 IU:
| Brand | Manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Sifasi HP 5000 IU | Serum Institute of India |
| Fertigyn HP 5000 IU | Sun Pharma |
| Ovidac 5000 IU | Zydus Cadila |
| Hucog HP 5000 IU | Bharat Serums & Vaccines |
| Corion 5000 IU | Win-Medicare |
| ZyHCG 5000 IU | Zydus Lifesciences |
| Lupi-HCG 5000 IU | Lupin Ltd |
| Pubergen 5000 IU | Sun Pharma |
What It Is Used For
Women — IVF and Fertility Treatment
IVF trigger shot (most common use): After follicle stimulation, when the lead follicle reaches 17–20mm, the fertility specialist prescribes the trigger injection at a precise time — exactly 34–36 hours before egg retrieval. HCG 5000 IU mimics the natural LH surge that causes final egg maturation. Missing the window by even 2–3 hours risks unsuccessful egg retrieval.
IUI ovulation induction: After FSH/clomiphene stimulation for intrauterine insemination cycles — HCG 5000 IU triggers ovulation at a predictable time, allowing the IUI to be timed precisely 24–36 hours later.
Luteal phase support: Some protocols use small repeat doses (1,500–2,500 IU) every 2–3 days after egg retrieval to support the corpus luteum — though progesterone supplementation has largely replaced this in modern protocols.
Recurrent miscarriage: Used under specialist supervision in women with luteal phase deficiency and recurrent early pregnancy loss.
Men — Hypogonadism and Testosterone Support
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: hCG directly stimulates testicular Leydig cells to produce testosterone — replacing the LH signal the pituitary is not sending adequately. Unlike exogenous testosterone, hCG preserves testicular size and function and maintains fertility.
Male infertility with low sperm count: Combined with FSH injections (menotropins) to stimulate spermatogenesis in men with hypogonadotropic causes of azoospermia or oligospermia.
Cryptorchidism in boys: hCG stimulates testicular descent before surgical intervention is considered.
Post-cycle therapy (PCT): After anabolic steroid use, hCG at 1,000–2,500 IU every 2–3 days restarts testicular testosterone production before transitioning to SERMs. The 5000 IU vial provides 2–5 PCT doses per vial.
Dosage
| Indication | Dose | Timing / Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| IVF trigger | 5,000 IU SC or IM | Exactly 34–36 hrs before egg retrieval |
| IUI trigger | 5,000 IU SC or IM | As directed by fertility specialist |
| Male hypogonadism | 1,000–2,000 IU IM | 2–3 times weekly |
| Cryptorchidism (boys) | 500–1,000 IU IM | 3× weekly for 3–4 weeks |
| PCT (off-label) | 1,000–2,500 IU SC/IM | Every 2–3 days for 2–3 weeks |
Reconstitution: Add 1–2mL of the supplied solvent to the powder vial. Swirl gently — do not shake. Use immediately. Discard unused portion.
Route: SC (subcutaneous — abdomen or thigh) or IM (intramuscular — upper outer thigh or buttock) as directed by your doctor or fertility nurse.
Side Effects
Women: OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome) is the primary risk — lower at 5000 IU than 10000 IU but still possible, particularly in women with PCOS or high antral follicle count. Mild OHSS: bloating, abdominal discomfort, mild nausea — self-limiting. Severe OHSS: rapid abdominal distension, weight gain over 1kg/day, reduced urine output, severe shortness of breath — seek emergency care immediately.
Men: Gynaecomastia with prolonged high-dose use. Fluid retention. Injection site pain.
Both: Headache. Fatigue. Mood changes. Local injection site reactions.
FAQ
What is the difference between HCG 5000 IU and 10000 IU? The 5000 IU dose is the standard trigger shot used in most IVF and IUI protocols worldwide — it is sufficient for final egg maturation in the majority of patients with a lower risk of OHSS. The 10000 IU dose is used when the fertility specialist determines a stronger LH stimulus is needed. Always use the dose your doctor specifically prescribes.
Which brand should I use — Sifasi, Fertigyn, or Ovidac? All contain identical Human Chorionic Gonadotropin at 5000 IU from WHO-GMP certified Indian manufacturers. No clinical difference between brands has been documented. Use whichever your fertility specialist recommends or whichever is available — they are interchangeable under medical supervision.
Can I refrigerate reconstituted HCG? No. Reconstitute immediately before use and discard any unused solution. Unreconstituted powder vials should be stored at 2–8°C (refrigerated) and protected from light.
Is HCG 5000 IU the same as Ovidrel 250mcg? Functionally similar — both trigger ovulation. Ovidrel contains recombinant hCG (choriogonadotropin alfa) at 250mcg which approximates the biological activity of 5000–6500 IU of urinary hCG. Indian HCG brands (Sifasi, Fertigyn, etc.) use urinary-derived hCG — clinically equivalent outcomes in fertility trials.
Do you ship HCG 5000 IU internationally? Yes — cold-chain compliant discreet shipping to USA, UK, UAE.
References
- Human Chorionic Gonadotropin — DrugBank DB00060 https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00060
- OHSS Risk by HCG Dose — ESHRE Ovarian Stimulation Guidelines (2020) https://www.eshre.eu/Guidelines-and-Legal/Guidelines/Ovarian-Stimulation
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