Human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, is a glycoprotein hormone that is manufactured by a developing embryo during pregnancy. In high doses, HCG is used as a fertility treatment, although low doses of HCG off label are speculated as being useful as a dieting aid, according to "Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies." Human chorionic gonadotropin injections can be administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Intramuscular injections are administered when medication needs to be rapidly absorbed into the system, since muscles have greater circulation and ability to absorb medication than fat. Human chorionic gonadotropin is only available by prescription and should be used only under the direction and supervision of a physician.
Step 1
Cleanse the injection site with an alcohol swab. When self-administering an intramuscular injection, the vastus lateralis -- the muscle located on the outside portion of the thigh -- is the preferred location. The deltoid -- the muscle in the outside portion of the upper arm -- is the preferred injection site when administering the injection to another person.
Step 2
Cleanse your hands with soap and water. Don gloves if you are injecting the HCG into someone else.
Step 3
Cleanse the HCG vial with an alcohol swab. Remove the cap from the needle.
Step 4
Insert the needle into the HCG vial. Draw up the amount of HCG prescribed by pulling back on the plunger.
Step 5
Remove the needle from the HCG vial. Hold the skin surrounding the injection site taut with one hand and quickly insert the needle fully into the injection site with the other hand, holding the syringe like a pencil.
Step 6
Pull back on the plunger to aspirate the muscle. If blood appears, the needle has been injected into a vein and must be removed. Recap the needle, discard the syringe and start over if this occurs. If no blood appears, the needle has been successfully inserted into a muscle. In this case, slowly push the plunger to administer the HCG.
Step 7
Remove the needle from the injection site after fully administering the HCG. Recap the needle and immediately discard the syringe in a safe trash receptacle.
Step 8
Cover the injection site with an adhesive bandage.
Tips and Warnings
- Ask your physician or one of his staff members to demonstrate how to administer an intramuscular HCG injection.
Things You'll Need
- Alcohol swab
- Soap
- Water
- Rubber gloves
- HCG vial
- Syringe
- Adhesive bandage
References
- "Foundations of Nursing"; Lois White, Gena Duncan and Wendy Baumle; 2010
- "Focus on Nursing Pharmacology"; Amy Morrison Karch; 2009
- "Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies"; Frances Sizer; 2008
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