Hi Doreen - here's the response from Dr. Charlie Ware himself: The injections are different from hcg primarily because of the mechanism of treatment. Hcg is a hormone that is used to make you burn stored fat. The lipotropic injections are amino acids and trace mineral designed to release fat in the injected sites. You void the "melted" fat thru urine and defecation. There are no associated side effects with the treatment as well. Except at the injection sites where you may have mild bruising and redness. They also stimulate the lymph and mucous membranes the rid the body of toxins. HCG is also a great product which I prescribe often. The weight loss is more rapid with the HCG but the lipotropic injections help to contour the body moreso. I hope this helps. Take care.