how to reconstitute HCG
There are two brands of HCG currently available in Canada, HCG and Pregnyl. Both kits contain two vials, one vial contains freeze-dried HCG powder and a vial of sterile bacteriostatic water. To prepare it for use, the HCG must be reconstituted for injection. In its freeze-dried state, the HCG powder is very stable and may be kept at room temperature. However, once it is reconstituted it must be refrigerated. If kept cool, your HCG will stay viable for 28-30 days depending on the manufacturer.
Reconstitution is very simple! Below is a step-by-step tutorial for reconstitution, as well as a video from our partner pharmacy that visualizes the process for you.
Begin by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water to keep your reconstitution and injection materials sterile. Then, gather the necessary materials:
both vials from your HCG kit
A 10mL syringe
a 20 gauge needle
isopropyl alcohol swabs or isopropyl alcohol of at least 70% strength
cotton balls
reconstituting HCG step by step:
Remove the plastic caps from both vials in your HCG kit. Simply pop the plastic tops off with your thumb. These caps protect your rubber stopper from damage while your vials are in storage. Next, take your alcohol swabs and disinfect the rubber stoppers on your vials. You can start from the centre and work out in circles, or use several sharp strokes away from you.
Then, unwrap your 10 mL mixing syringe by pulling the paper layers apart. Insert the end of the syringe into the needle and twist to a snug fit.
Remove the cap from the needle and insert the needle into the vial containing the HCG powder. Without disturbing the powder, draw the plunger back to the 10mL mark to remove 10mL of air from the vial. The ring on the plunger that contacts the liquid is the one to measure by. Remove the needle from the vial.
Insert the needle through the rubber stopper of the vial containing the bacteriostatic water. Hold the vial and syringe in two hands, with the vial slightly higher than the syringe.
Squeeze some of the air into the vial, about ⅓ of the syringe full at a time, then let the pressure inside the vial fill the syringe with some of the water. Do this in stages and don’t squeeze all of the air into the vial at once. This can create a situation of very high pressure in the vial and it may cause your syringe to fill with foam or bubbles. It may also cause your vial to come away from the syringe and fly out of your hands. Be careful, and proceed slowly.
A large bubble of air at the top of the syringe may be rotated around the syringe to collect the little bubbles that cling to the sides if tapping doesn’t free them. Once the syringe is full, or nearly full of water, turn the syringe and vial assembly vertically so that the air bubbles can be tapped to the top and squeezed back into the vial to remove them. Be sure to keep the needle below the level of the liquid or you will draw air into the syringe.
Ensure when you’re finished that the plunger is on the 10mL line and the air bubbles are gone and then remove the needle from the vial.
You are now ready to insert the needle into the vial of HCG powder and squeeze 10mL of water into the vial. You’ll feel the pressure in the vial build as you insert the water, positing the needle high in the vial near the stopper when all the water has been added and lift your finger off the plunger of the syringe to relieve the pressure. If some foam goes into the syringe, squeeze it back into the vial and carefully relieve the pressure again.
Remove the needle from the vial, and put it in the sharps container for safe disposal.
Your HCG is now reconstituted. Mix it very gently by swirling the vial or rotating the vial in your hand. Do not shake the vial vigorously as this may damage the delicate HCG molecule. The bubbles will subside quickly. Your HCG is ready to use. It must now be refrigerated to maintain potency. Check the package insert to see how long your HCG is stable once reconstituted, write this date on the box so you know when to discard it and prepare a new vial. In some cases, you will not use the entire contents of the vial before it expires. Return it to your pharmacy for safe disposal.
