clomiphene

Generic Name: clomiphene (KLOE mih feen)

Brand Names: Clomid, Serophene

What is clomiphene?

Clomiphene stimulates the release of hormones necessary for ovulation to occur.

Clomiphene is used to stimulate ovulation (the release of an egg) when a woman's ovaries can produce a follicle but hormonal stimulation is deficient.

Clomiphene may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about clomiphene?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Clomiphene may cause blurred vision or other visual side effects during or shortly after therapy. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any visual side effects and use caution when performing hazardous activities, especially under conditions of variable lighting.

Clomiphene may increase the likelihood of multiple births. Multiple births may carry additional risk both for the mother and for the fetuses.

Who should not take clomiphene?

Do not take clomiphene without first talking to your doctor if you

• 
  

  might be pregnant;

  
  


• 
  

  have a thyroid problem or another endocrine disorder;

  
  


• 
  

  have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding;

  
  


• 
  

  have endometriosis or endometrial carcinoma;

  
  


• 
  

  have uterine fibroids;

  
  


• 
  

  have liver disease;

  
  


• 
  

  have ovarian cysts or ovarian enlargement not due to polycystic ovarian syndrome; or

  
  


• 
  

  have any other serious or chronic medical illness.

  
  

You may not be able to take clomiphene, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Do not take clomiphene if you are pregnant. Clomiphene is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that it is known to cause birth defects. It is not known whether clomiphene pass into breast milk. Do not take clomiphene without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take clomiphene?

Use clomiphene exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Clomiphene is usually taken in 5 day cycles. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Store clomiphene at room temperature, away from direct light, moisture, and heat.

See also: Clomiphene dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of clomiphene.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a clomiphene overdose include nausea, vomiting, flushing, blurred vision, visual spots or flashes, and abdominal pain.

What should I avoid while taking clomiphene?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Clomiphene may cause blurred vision or other visual side effects during or shortly after therapy. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any visual side effects and use caution when performing hazardous activities, especially under conditions of variable lighting.

Clomiphene side effects

Stop taking clomiphene and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).

The ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) has been reported to occur in patients receiving clomiphene. Symptoms of OHSS include swelling of the hands or legs, abdominal pain and swelling, shortness of breath, weight gain, and nausea or vomiting. OHSS can be fatal. Notify your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention if you develop any of these side effects.

Other side effects may also occur. Notify your doctor if you experience

• 
  

  ovarian enlargement presenting as abdominal or pelvic pain, tenderness, pressure, or swelling;

  
  


• 
  

  flushing;

  
  


• 
  

  nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;

  
  


• 
  

  breast tenderness or discomfort;

  
  


• 
  

  blurred vision or other visual disturbances;

  
  


• 
  

  headache; or

  
  


• 
  

  abnormal uterine bleeding.

  
  

Clomiphene may increase the likelihood of multiple births. Multiple births may carry additional risk both for the mother and for the fetuses.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Clomiphene Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Ovulation Induction:

50 mg orally once a day for 5 days. Therapy should be initiated on or near the 5th day of the menstrual cycle, but may be started at any time in patients without recent uterine bleeding.

If ovulation occurs and pregnancy is not achieved, up to 2 additional courses of clomiphene 50 mg orally once a day for 5 days may be administered. Each subsequent course may be started as early as 30 days after the previous course and after pregnancy has been excluded.

Most patients ovulate following the first course of therapy. However, if the patient fails to ovulate, a second course of 100 mg/day for 5 days may be given as early as 30 days following the initial course. A third course of 100 mg/day for 5 days may be given after 30 days, if necessary.

Treatments beyond three cycles of clomiphene, dosages greater than 100 mg once a day, and/or course durations beyond 5 days are not recommended by the manufacturer. However, successful pregnancies and term deliveries have been reported in women receiving up to 200 mg/day for 5 days, or extended 10-day course of therapy, or consecutive cycles of treatment beyond the 3 recommended by the manufacturer.

Usual Adult Dose for Lactation Suppression:

50 to 100 mg orally once a day for 5 days. Generally, one course of therapy is sufficient.

Usual Adult Dose for Oligospermia:

25 to 100 mg orally once a day. Therapy is generally given over a period of several months.

What other drugs will affect clomiphene?

There are no known interactions between clomiphene and other medicines. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

More clomiphene resources

• Clomiphene Side Effects (in more detail)
• Clomiphene Dosage
• Clomiphene Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Clomiphene Support Group
• 10 Reviews for Clomiphene - Add your own review/rating

• clomiphene Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Clomid Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Clomid Consumer Overview


• Clomiphene Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Clomiphene MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Clomiphene Citrate Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Serophene Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare clomiphene with other medications

• Female Infertility
• Lactation Suppression
• Oligospermia
• Ovulation Induction

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about clomiphene written for health professionals that you may read.

See also: clomiphene side effects (in more detail)