At a glance
A glycoprotein hormone studied in gonadal signaling and fertility.
This profile separates the compound’s scientific background from specification-specific preparation and source schedules. Begin with the research findings and limitations, then select the formulation you want to examine.
How it works
Potential benefits & side effects
Interpret each outcome in the context of the study population, formulation and evidence type. Research findings do not establish a personal treatment outcome.
Potential benefits & research findings
The source discusses testosterone-related measures and reproductive outcomes. These results need to be read alongside the specific population and accompanying treatment.[3][4][5]
Read the original publications to see the measured endpoints, comparator, duration and uncertainty. Mechanistic plausibility and a favorable experimental result are different from demonstrated clinical benefit.
Side effects & evidence limitations
Interpret the reported adverse effects together with the study population, route and observation period. Small or short studies can miss uncommon and delayed harms. Evidence from a related compound does not establish the safety of HCG.
A comprehensive adverse-effect profile is not established by the source record. Consult the cited studies for what was measured and what remains uncertain.
Sources are available for independent reading. Individual claims and research schedules have not yet undergone an independent clinical review by Pep Science.
- Editorial responsibility
- Pep Science editorial desk
- Last independent review
- Not yet recorded
SPECIFICATIONS & SOURCE SCHEDULES
Explore a vial size
Select the exact formulation. Vial content, target dose and prepared concentration are different measurements.
Showing 5000 IU · 2 source tables
Standard Protocol (2 mL = 2,500 IU/mL)
| Week/Phase | Dose per Injection (IU) | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–12 | 500 IU | 20 units (0.20 mL) |
Frequency: Inject 3 times weekly subcutaneously (e.g., Monday/Wednesday/Friday). This yields a total weekly dose of 1,500 IU. This schedule maintains intratesticular testosterone during exogenous testosterone therapy and supports fertility preservation[3][4].
High‑Dose Protocol (for Post‑Cycle Recovery or Severe Suppression)
| Week/Phase | Dose per Injection (IU) | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–4 | 1,500 IU | 60 units (0.60 mL) |
| Weeks 5–8 | 2,000 IU | 80 units (0.80 mL) |
| Weeks 9–12 | 1,000 IU | 40 units (0.40 mL) |
Frequency: Inject 3 times weekly subcutaneously. High‑dose protocols (1,500–2,500 IU per injection) are used to reactivate testosterone production after prolonged anabolic steroid use or severe hypogonadotropic hypogonadism[5][6]. After initial recovery, doses are typically reduced to maintenance levels (500–1,000 IU 3×/week). Important: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. For research use only. Not for human consumption.
Additional schedule context & duration
Concise summary of the intermittent HCG regimen.
- Goal: Maintain testicular function and fertility during testosterone replacement therapy or restore endogenous testosterone production post‑cycle[3][7].
- Schedule: Subcutaneous injections 3 times weekly for 8–16 weeks.
- Dose Range: Standard maintenance: 500 IU per injection (1,500 IU/week); high‑dose recovery: 1,500–2,500 IU per injection.
- Reconstitution: 2.0 mL per 5000 IU vial (2,500 IU/mL) for precise insulin‑syringe measurements.
- Storage: Refrigerate lyophilized and reconstituted vials; reconstituted solution stable up to 60 days.
Evidence‑based HCG dosing approaches.
- Standard Maintenance: 500 IU SC on Monday/Wednesday/Friday maintains intratesticular testosterone at near‑normal levels during TRT[4].
- High‑Dose Recovery: 1,500–2,500 IU SC 3×/week for 3–6 months to restart spermatogenesis and testosterone production after anabolic steroid cessation[5][6].
- Frequency: Due to HCG’s 36‑hour half‑life, 3 times weekly is sufficient; daily injections are unnecessary[2].
- Cycle Length: 8–12 weeks typical; extend to 16+ weeks for severe suppression cases.
- Timing: Consistent days/times; rotate injection sites (abdomen, thighs).
Preparation
Reconstitution Steps
- Draw 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe.
- Inject slowly down the vial wall; avoid foaming or vigorous shaking.
- Gently swirl or roll until the powder fully dissolves (clear solution).
- Label vial with reconstitution date and concentration (2,500 IU/mL); refrigerate immediately at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F).
Dosing Calculations:
- 250 IU = 10 units (0.10 mL)
- 500 IU = 20 units (0.20 mL)
- 1,000 IU = 40 units (0.40 mL)
Storage Instructions
Proper storage maintains HCG potency throughout your protocol.
- Lyophilized (Unreconstituted): Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F). Can be stored at room temperature but refrigeration is preferred for long‑term storage[8].
- Reconstituted: Must be refrigerated at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F). Stable for up to 60 days when using bacteriostatic water[9].
- Do NOT freeze reconstituted HCG; freezing denatures the protein[9].
- Store in original packaging or light‑protected container; minimize light exposure.
- Label vial with reconstitution date; discard after 60 days or if cloudiness/particles appear.
Materials & quantity planning
Source materials checklist · 5000 IU
Plan based on an 8–16 week protocol using standard 500 IU × 3 times weekly dosing.
-
Peptide Vials (HCG, 5000 IU each):
- 8 weeks (1,500 IU/week × 8 = 12,000 IU total): 3 vials
- 12 weeks (1,500 IU/week × 12 = 18,000 IU total): 4 vials
- 16 weeks (1,500 IU/week × 16 = 24,000 IU total): 5 vials
-
Insulin Syringes (U‑100):
- Per week: 3 syringes (Mon/Wed/Fri)
- 8 weeks: 24 syringes
- 12 weeks: 36 syringes
- 16 weeks: 48 syringes
-
Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): Use 2.0 mL per vial for reconstitution.
- 8 weeks (3 vials): 6 mL → 1 × 10 mL bottle
- 12 weeks (4 vials): 8 mL → 1 × 10 mL bottle
- 16 weeks (5 vials): 10 mL → 1 × 10 mL bottle
-
Alcohol Swabs: One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each injection day.
- Per week: 6 swabs (2 per injection × 3 injections)
- 8 weeks: 48 swabs → recommend 1 × 100‑count box
- 12 weeks: 72 swabs → recommend 1 × 100‑count box
- 16 weeks: 96 swabs → recommend 1 × 100‑count box
Quantity estimates exclude preparation losses and expiry. Follow the formulation’s handling and disposal requirements.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
References & further reading
Original publications and source documents cited across this product’s variants. A listed source is not an independent endorsement of a dosing schedule.
- 02
Research publication
Seminars in Reproductive Medicine — Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of HCG: extended half‑life and sustained activity (opens in a new tab)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 11
Public health resource
NCBI Bookshelf — Best practices for medication injection: aseptic technique, preparation, and safe administration procedures (opens in a new tab)www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑
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Related topics are not interchangeable compounds or formulations.