Clomiphene (By mouth)

KLOE-mi-feen

Treats infertility.

Drug classes

Endocrine-Metabolic Agent, Female Reproductive Agent (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Clomiphene is used as a fertility medicine in some women who are unable to become pregnant.

Clomiphene probably works by changing the hormone balance of the body. In women, this causes ovulation to occur and prepares the body for pregnancy.

Clomiphene may also be used for other conditions in both females and males as determined by your doctor.

The following information applies only to female patients taking clomiphene. Check with your doctor if you are a male and have any questions about the use of clomiphene.

Clomiphene is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, clomiphene is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

Certain problems of the male sexual organs caused by pituitary or hypothalamus gland problems (diagnosis)

Male infertility caused by low production of sperm

Problems with the corpus luteum (mature egg)

For males taking this medicine for treatment of infertility caused by low sperm production:

To help decide on the best treatment for your medical problem, tell your doctor:

if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to clomiphene. if you have any of the following medical problems:

Liver disease Mental depression Thrombophlebitis

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If you do not remember until it is time for the next dose, take both doses together; then go back to your regular dosing schedule. If you miss more than one dose, check with your doctor.

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to find out if clomiphene is working and to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause vision problems, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not clear-headed or able to see well.

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. When this medicine is used for short periods of time at low doses, serious side effects usually are rare. However, check with your doctor 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

Other 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. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Less common or rare

Breast enlargement; dizziness or lightheadedness; headache; mental depression; nausea or vomiting; nervousness; restlessness; tiredness; trouble in sleeping

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Tablet

Take this medicine exactly as your doctor ordered.

Your doctor will tell you how much to take and when to start.

Take your medicine at the same time every day.

You should be checked for pregnancy or ovulation by your doctor between treatments.

You may need to take and record your basal body temperature every day – ask your doctor.

If a dose is missed:

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.

Tell your doctor if you have missed any doses, because this may affect your treatment.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

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

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

When Not To Use

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to clomiphene, are pregnant (or think you might be pregnant), or if you have liver disease, cysts on the ovaries, enlarged ovaries, or unusual vaginal bleeding.

Warnings

If you think you might be pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor.

Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you have thyroid problems.

Multiple births (such as twins or triplets) are possible when taking clomiphene.

This medicine may cause changes in vision such as blurring or trouble focusing. If this becomes severe, tell your doctor. Be careful driving or operating machinery.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Severe lower stomach pain

Nausea, vomiting

Weight gain.

Blurred vision

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

“Hot flashes“

Breast tenderness

Dizziness

Nervousness or trouble sleeping

Headache

Stomach pain and bloating

Mood changes

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Clomid, Serophene

There may be other brand names for this medicine.