While HCG treatments require a doctor’s prescription and supervision in some states, it is not difficult to purchase your own HCG on the World Wide Web. It is even safe to do, as long as you know exactly where it is coming from.

This said, many people have successfully used HCG on their own without the involvement and expense of a physician. You can be among them, but it is smart to educate yourself beforehand regarding treatment options as well as potential side effects. While extremely rare, these are known to occur. In addition, you’ll want to be certain about any potential drug interactions if you are currently taking any prescriptions for other conditions.

Options When It Comes To HCG

By ordering online, you can avoid the expense of a doctor’s examination, which will include very expensive lab tests. As long as you are in good health otherwise, HCG is perfectly safe when purchased from a licensed laboratory operated by qualified personnel.

It is important that you order the oral HCG drops rather than the injectable form and obtain this from a domestic source. HCG manufactured in the U.S. is subject to FDA regulation and oversight. In addition it is subject to the safety standards established by the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia, which governs the manufacture of homeopathic remedies in the U.S.

It is true that HCG is normally used as a fertility treatment, and the FDA does not approve its use as a diet medication. However, all this means is that HCG treatments as part of a weight loss program constitute “off-label” use, which is very common in the medical profession.

Drug Interactions

Now, if you are using any kind of prescription drug for a chronic condition or some kind of drug therapy, it is highly advisable to discuss your plans to use HCG with a qualified physician. There is only one currently known interaction when it comes to HCG, and that is with the pituitary gland medication ganirelix.

Some women receive injections of this drug in order to control pituitary secretions. One of the effects of HCG is hyper stimulation of the ovaries (this is why it is effective as a fertility treatment). This may interfere with the action of ganirelix as well as some oral contraceptives. An adjusted dose may be necessary, and again, this requires consultation with a physician.

Known Side Effects

A very small percentage of those who take HCG may experience side effects such as swelling and water retention.

Some side effects can manifest themselves in psychological ways:

• moodiness
• irritability
• depression

In addition, an overall feeling of restlessness or nervousness can occur among individuals who are sensitive to hormonal changes.

More serious side effects may include:

• undefined pain in the hips and/or abdominal area
• nausea
• diarrhea
• breathing difficulty
• headache
• urinary difficulties

It is important to advise a physician and discontinue the use of HCG if you experience these side effects.