
clomiphene
Clomiphene (Clomid) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used to treat fertility problems in people who want to become pregnant. It works by helping your body release an egg, ovulation. You'll take the medication by mouth once a day for 5 days during a specific part of your menstrual cycle. Common side effects include hot flashes, bloating, and stomach pain.
What is Clomiphene (Clomid)?
What is Clomiphene (Clomid) used for?
How Clomiphene (Clomid) works
Clomiphene (Clomid) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). It tricks your body into thinking your estrogen levels are low. This causes your body to release more follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These hormones help your ovaries grow and release an egg (ovulation), which can increase your chances of becoming pregnant.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Clomid, MiloPhene |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Selective estrogen receptor modulator |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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Side effects of Clomiphene (Clomid)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Swollen ovaries (14%)
- Hot flashes (10%)
- Stomach discomfort/bloating (6%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Nausea and vomiting
- Breast discomfort
- Blurry vision or sensitivity to light
- Headache
- Abnormal bleeding or spotting
Clomiphene (Clomid) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: severe pelvic or stomach pain and swelling, nausea, vomiting, sudden weight gain, diarrhea, trouble breathing, trouble urinating
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The following Clomiphene (Clomid) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common or rare
Blurred vision
decreased or double vision or other vision problems
seeing flashes of light
sensitivity of eyes to light
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Less common or rare
Breast discomfort
dizziness or lightheadedness
headache
heavy menstrual periods or bleeding between periods
mental depression
nausea or vomiting
nervousness
restlessness
tiredness
trouble in sleeping
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Clomiphene (Clomid)
Pros
- Might work better for people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Usually only taken for 5 days during each cycle
- Available as a tablet you take by mouth
Cons
- Typically only recommended for up to 3 cycles, not a long-term treatment
- Can cause vision problems in some rare cases
- Not safe if you have liver problems or certain thyroid problems
Pharmacist tips for Clomiphene (Clomid)
- Clomiphene (Clomid) doesn't make you ovulate right away. Most people ovulate about 5 to 10 days after their last dose. Ask your fertility specialist which days are best to have sex to improve your chances of becoming pregnant.
- Clomiphene (Clomid) doesn't work for everyone. If you don't ovulate after your first treatment cycle, your prescriber might increase your dose for your next cycle.
- Don't take clomiphene (Clomid) for longer than your prescriber recommends. Using it for too long can raise your risk of side effects. If you haven't ovulated or become pregnant after about 3 treatment cycles, your fertility specialist might recommend a different treatment.
- Clomiphene (Clomid) can cause your body to release more than one egg. This can raise your chance of becoming pregnant with twins, triplets, or other multiples. Talk with your partner and fertility specialist about this possibility before starting treatment.
- Clomiphene (Clomid) doesn't usually delay your period. If your period is late after taking this medication, it could be a sign that you might be pregnant.
- Tell your care team right away if you develop severe pelvic pain, rapid weight gain, or severe bloating while taking clomiphene (Clomid). These can be early signs of a potentially dangerous side effect called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
- Pregnancy: Clomiphene (Clomid) can harm an unborn baby, so you shouldn't take it if you're already pregnant. Before starting another treatment cycle, your fertility specialist might check to make sure you aren't pregnant.
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Risks and warnings for Clomiphene (Clomid)
Clomiphene (Clomid) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Vision changes
- Risk factors: Long-term use of clomiphene (Clomid) | Taking more clomiphene (Clomid) than recommended
Clomiphene (Clomid) can sometimes cause blurred vision or other vision changes during treatment or shortly after you stop taking it. These changes usually go away, but in rare cases they can last longer or become permanent, especially if you take higher doses or use the medication for longer than recommended. If you notice any vision changes, stop taking clomiphene (Clomid) and contact your care team right away. Don't drive or operate machinery until your vision returns to normal.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
- Risk factors: Taking clomiphene (Clomid) long-term | Taking clomiphene (Clomid) together with gonadotropin medications
Clomiphene (Clomid) can sometimes overstimulate your ovaries and cause a rare but serious condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). To lower your risk, your fertility specialist will prescribe the lowest dose that works for you.
Early symptoms of OHSS include stomach or pelvic pain, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and rapid weight gain. Symptoms often don't appear until a few days after you finish a treatment cycle. Most cases are mild and go away within a few days to weeks. But in rare cases, OHSS can become serious and cause problems such as trouble breathing or an ovary that twists or bursts. Contact your care team right away if you develop symptoms of OHSS.
Multiple pregnancy
Clomiphene (Clomid) can raise your chance of becoming pregnant with twins, triplets, or more babies because it could cause your body to release more than one egg. Multiple pregnancies have a higher risk of complications for both you and your babies. In rare cases, pregnancy can occur outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy). Contact your care team right away if you have severe pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, or dizziness during early pregnancy.
Possible harm to unborn baby
Don't take clomiphene (Clomid) if you're already pregnant because it won't help once pregnancy has occurred. Although research results are mixed, there is some evidence that it could harm an unborn baby. Before each treatment cycle, your fertility specialist will make sure you're not pregnant. If you think you might be pregnant while taking this medication, stop taking it and contact your care team right away.
Clomiphene (Clomid) dosage
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50mg | 30 tablets | $101.35 | $3.38 |
Typical dosage for Clomiphene (Clomid)
The typical starting dose is 50 mg by mouth once a day for 5 days. If you don't ovulate after this treatment cycle, your fertility specialist might raise your dose to 100 mg once a day for 5 days during your next menstrual cycle.
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Interactions between Clomiphene (Clomid) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Clomiphene (Clomid) cost?
Clomiphene (Clomid) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Clomiphene (Clomid) will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently pregnant
- History of liver problems
- Abnormal uterine bleeding with an unclear cause
- Ovarian cysts or swelling not due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal problems
- Pituitary tumor
What are alternatives to Clomiphene (Clomid)?
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