Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is hard to find in 2026 due to FDA reclassification and supply disruptions. Learn why and what you can do about it.
You call your pharmacy, and they tell you Chorionic Gonadotropin is on backorder. You try another one — same story. You start to wonder if the medication even exists anymore. The frustration is real, and you deserve answers.
Whether you know it as HCG, Pregnyl, Novarel, or simply "the trigger shot," Chorionic Gonadotropin has become one of the hardest prescription medications to find in the United States. In 2026, patients dealing with infertility, hypogonadism, and other conditions are facing ongoing supply problems that have persisted for several years.
This article breaks down exactly why Chorionic Gonadotropin is so difficult to locate, what caused the shortage, and — most importantly — what you can do to get the treatment you need.
Chorionic Gonadotropin, also called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin or HCG, is an injectable hormone medication in the gonadotropin drug class. It's a naturally occurring hormone produced during pregnancy, and the pharmaceutical version is purified from the urine of pregnant women (or made in a lab in the case of Ovidrel, the recombinant version).
HCG mimics luteinizing hormone (LH), which plays a key role in reproduction. In women, it triggers ovulation — making it essential for fertility treatments like IVF and ovulation induction. In men, it stimulates testosterone production and helps maintain testicular function, which is why it's commonly prescribed alongside testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
The FDA has approved Chorionic Gonadotropin for three main uses:
Brand names include Pregnyl (manufactured by Organon), Novarel (Ferring Pharmaceuticals), and Ovidrel (EMD Serono). Generic versions are also available.
The Chorionic Gonadotropin shortage didn't happen overnight. It's the result of several overlapping factors that have been building since 2020. Here are the main reasons:
This is the biggest factor. On March 23, 2020, the FDA reclassified HCG from a drug to a biologic product under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA). This meant that compounding pharmacies — which had been producing affordable HCG for years — could no longer legally make it without a special biologics license.
Before this change, compounding pharmacies were a major source of HCG, especially for men's health clinics prescribing it alongside testosterone therapy. When that supply vanished, all demand shifted to the handful of FDA-approved manufacturers.
Only a few companies produce FDA-approved Chorionic Gonadotropin: Organon (Pregnyl), Ferring Pharmaceuticals (Novarel), and a small number of generic manufacturers. When compounding was eliminated, these companies couldn't scale production fast enough to meet the sudden surge in demand.
Unlike a simple pill, Chorionic Gonadotropin is a protein hormone that must be carefully extracted, purified, and prepared as a sterile injectable. This biological manufacturing process takes time, requires specialized facilities, and is subject to strict FDA oversight. Ramping up production isn't as simple as running extra shifts at a factory.
HCG serves a wide range of patients — from women going through IVF to men on testosterone therapy to children with cryptorchidism. Each of these populations has grown in recent years. Fertility treatments are more common than ever, and TRT use has surged. This sustained high demand keeps supply tight.
Finding Chorionic Gonadotropin in 2026 takes more effort than it used to, but it's not impossible. Here are practical steps you can take:
Tools like Medfinder check pharmacy inventory in real time, so you can see which locations near you actually have Chorionic Gonadotropin in stock right now — instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy.
Large chain pharmacies often run out first because they serve the most patients. Independent pharmacies and specialty pharmacies that focus on fertility or compounding may have better availability. Fertility clinics often have relationships with specialty pharmacies that stock HCG.
Depending on your condition, alternatives may be available. Ovidrel (Choriogonadotropin Alfa) is a recombinant version that comes in a prefilled syringe. For IVF trigger shots, Lupron (Leuprolide) can sometimes be used instead. Talk to your prescriber about whether a switch makes sense for you. You can learn more in our guide to alternatives to Chorionic Gonadotropin.
If you know you'll need Chorionic Gonadotropin for an upcoming fertility cycle or ongoing TRT, talk to your pharmacy and doctor well in advance. Some specialty pharmacies can place orders with distributors ahead of time to reserve supply.
Cost can also be a barrier. Without insurance, a single 10,000-unit vial can cost anywhere from $100 to over $500. Discount cards from GoodRx, SingleCare, and RxSaver can help bring prices down. Read our full guide on how to save money on Chorionic Gonadotropin.
The Chorionic Gonadotropin shortage is a complex problem with roots in regulatory changes, manufacturing limitations, and surging demand. It's not likely to be fully resolved overnight, but the situation has improved compared to the worst days of 2020–2022.
The most important thing you can do is stay proactive: use tools like Medfinder to check stock in real time, work closely with your prescriber, and explore alternatives if your usual source runs dry. You have options, even when it doesn't feel like it.
For more details on the current supply situation, check out our Chorionic Gonadotropin shortage update for 2026.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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