HCG Diet: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

The HCG diet is a weight loss method involving a very low-calorie diet and a prescription drug called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).

HCG is a hormone that is naturally made in the body during pregnancy. People who promote the HCG diet claim that it helps with weight loss and moving fat from the thighs and buttocks to other parts of the body. But studies have shown that this does not happen.

People use the HCG diet for weight loss, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.

HCG is an FDA-approved drug for certain conditions, but not for weight loss. Despite this, HCG weight-loss products continue to be available online and in weight loss clinics. They're often marketed as "homeopathic." The FDA warns consumers to avoid HCG diet products.

Uses & Effectiveness

Likely InEffective for

Weight loss. The HCG diet does not improve weight loss in people with obesity.

There is interest in using the HCG diet for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

The HCG diet is possibly safe when used under medical supervision. The drug HCG can cause side effects including headache, fatigue, irritability, restlessness, and depression.

Pregnancy: The HCG diet is likely unsafe when used during pregnancy. The HCG drug used during the HCG diet can cause birth defects.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if the HCG diet is safe during breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Prostate cancer: The HCG diet should not be used by people with prostate cancer. The drug HCG might make prostate cancer worse.

Interactions

We currently have no information for HCG Diet overview.

Dosing

The HCG diet combines a very low-calorie diet (500-800 calories daily) and the prescription drug HCG. HCG may be taken by mouth or given as an injection. This diet has not been shown to improve weight loss. For safety reasons, it should only be used while under medical supervision. Speak with your healthcare provider before use.

View References

REFERENCES:

Novarel (Chorionic Gonadotropin) prescribing information. Steris Laboratories, March 2006.

National Task Force on the Prevention and Treatment of Obesity. Very low-calorie diets. JAMA 1993;270:967-74.

Lin WY, Wu CH, Chu NF, Chang CJ. Efficacy and safety of very-low-calorie diet in Taiwanese: A multicenter randomized, controlled trial. Nutrition 2009;25:1129-36.

Stein MR, Julis RE, Peck CC, et al. Ineffectiveness of the human chorionic gonadotropin in weight reduction: a double-blind study. Am J Clin Nutr 1976;29:940-8.

Lijesen GK, Theeuwen I, Assendelft WJ, Van Der Wal G. The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the treatment of obesity by means of the Simeons therapy: a criteria-based meta-analysis. Br J Pharmacol 1995;40:237-43.

Greenway FL, Bray GA. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the treatment of obesity: a critical assessment of the Simenons method. West J Med 1977;127:461-3.

Miller R, Schneiderman LJ. A clinical study of the use of human chorionic gonadotropin in weight reduction. J Family Pract 1977;4:445-8.

Shetty KR, Kalkhoff RK. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) treatment of obesity. Arch Intern Med 1977;137:151-5.

Bosch B, Venter I, Stewart RI, Bertram SR. Human chorionic gonadotropin and weight loss. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. S Afr Med J 1990;77:185-9.

Birmingham CL, Smith KC. Human chorionic gonadotropin is of no value in the management of obesity. Can Med Assoc J 1983;128:1156-7.

Trudeau K. The Weight Loss Cure "They" Don't Want You to Know About. Elk Grove Village, IL: Alliance Publishing Group, 2008.

Judge Orders Kevin Trudeau to Pay More Than $37 Million for False Claims About Weight-Loss Book. Federal Trade Commission, January 15, 2009. Available at: https://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/01/trudeau.shtm.

Goodbar NH, Foushee JA, Eagerton DH, et al. Effect of the human chorionic gonadotropin diet on patient outcomes. Ann Pharmacother. 2013 May;47(5):e23.

HCG Diet Products Are Illegal. FDA Consumer Updates, September 22, 2016. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm28133.htm

Schunemann MJ, Bertschinger M, Trachsel C, Bachli E. Severe refeeding syndrome after human chorionic gonadotropin diet: a potentially lethal complication. BMJ Case Rep 2021;14(11):e244011.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Copyright © 1995-2025 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.