HCG: molecular data, studies & sources

Molecular formula, weight & structure

US regulatory status & drug development

HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin; listed as gonadotropin, chorionic) is the active ingredient of FDA-approved medicines that Drugs@FDA lists as marketed prescription products (checked October 7, 2026): CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN (BLA 017067, approved March 5, 1973), NOVAREL (BLA 017016, approved January 15, 1974) and PREGNYL (BLA 017692, approved October 20, 1976). Drugs@FDA lists two other applications as discontinued: CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN (BLA 017054, approved March 26, 1974) and A.P.L. (BLA 017055, approved December 13, 1974). Research-labelled HCG listings are not NOVAREL or PREGNYL and are not FDA-approved drugs.

An FDA approval covers a defined medicine, formulation and labelled use. It does not extend to research-labelled material sold under the same compound name. Identity basis: Drugs@FDA lists urinary-derived human chorionic gonadotropin as 'GONADOTROPIN, CHORIONIC'. Recombinant choriogonadotropin alfa (OVIDREL) is a different active ingredient and is excluded. A research-labelled hCG listing does not state which material it contains. Recombinant choriogonadotropin alfa (OVIDREL, BLA021149) is a different active ingredient and is not listed here.

Source: Drugs@FDA via openFDA (application records; DailyMed label set IDs) · checked 2026-10-07. openFDA data are not intended for clinical decisions.

Registered clinical trials

Studies registered on ClinicalTrials.gov that list HCG as an intervention. Studies that only measure the molecule as a biomarker, or use it only as a comparator or background arm for another drug, are excluded. A registration describes a planned or completed protocol; it does not report a result. Active studies are listed first.

25 registered studies matched, 2 currently active or recruiting, 3 with results posted on ClinicalTrials.gov.

By highest phase

Phase 4 · 7Phase 3 · 4Phase 2 · 4Early phase 1 · 1Not applicable · 9

By registry status

Completed · 11Unknown · 9Terminated · 3Enrolling By Invitation · 1Recruiting · 1

Registry check 2026-10-09 · Run this search on ClinicalTrials.gov

Human intervention studies

Selected studies in which participants received HCG, with their indexed or reviewed study type. Check the original article for the formulation, population and controls. Studies that only measured the molecule, or used it as a comparator, are listed separately below and are not counted as intervention studies.

1. Human study · PubMed trial index Compound given to participants

   The impact of HCG in IVF Treatment: Does it depend on age or on protocol?

   Theofanakis C, Athanasiou V, Liokari E et al. · Journal of gynecology obstetrics and human reproduction · 2019

   PMID 30794953 · DOI: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2019.02.012

Preclinical research, reviews & other publications

Animal studies, laboratory experiments, reviews and other indexed papers answer different questions. A review is secondary evidence; a case report does not estimate how often an outcome occurs.

1. Review · secondary evidence

   Hyperglycosylated hCG.

   Cole LA · Placenta · 2007

   PMID 17346790 · DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2007.01.011

2. Research publication · design requires review

   Total hCG tests.

   Cole LA, DuToit S, Higgins TN et al. · Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry · 2011

   PMID 21864517 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2011.08.006

3. Case report

   Familial HCG syndrome.

   Cole LA · Journal of reproductive immunology · 2012

   PMID 22188758 · DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2011.11.001

HCG supplier sources

Scientific sources describe molecules and experiments. The commercial links below identify recorded supplier packages. A publication or chemical database entry does not verify the seller, purity, sterility or contents of a lot. Some links are affiliate links; see our disclosure.

HCG for sale: compare prices, sizes and forms from every tracked supplier →

Reference sources & further reading

• Drugs@FDA: BLA 017067 — US approval record for a medicine with the same active ingredient.
• Drugs@FDA: BLA 017016 — US approval record for a medicine with the same active ingredient.
• Drugs@FDA: BLA 017054 — US approval record for a medicine with the same active ingredient.
• Drugs@FDA: BLA 017055 — US approval record for a medicine with the same active ingredient.
• Drugs@FDA: BLA 017692 — US approval record for a medicine with the same active ingredient.

The citations above link directly to publication records. Encyclopedia links are background reading and are not used to establish clinical effectiveness.

Research information is not a dosing guide or a recommendation for personal use. Study findings are specific to the formulation, population and methods tested. Read our source and correction policy.

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