What are clomiphene tablets?
CLOMIPHENE (Clomid®, Serophene®) is a fertility drug used to increase the chance of getting pregnant. It is used to help women ovulate (produce a mature egg) properly during their cycle. Compared to other fertility treatments, clomiphene alone does not greatly increase your chances of having multiple babies. An increased chance of having twins may occur in roughly 5 out of every 100 women who take this medication. Occasionally clomiphene is prescribed to men with fertility problems due to low sperm counts.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- frequently drink alcohol containing beverages
- blood vessel disease, blood clotting disorder
- cyst on the ovary
- diabetes
- liver disease
- mental depression
- ovarian carcinoma
- smoke cigarretes
- unusual uterine or vaginal bleeding that has not been evaluated by a gynecologist
- an unusual or allergic reaction to clomiphene, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant (clomiphene should not be used if you are already pregnant)
- breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take clomiphene tablets by mouth. Read the information provided by your prescriber or health care professional. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take clomiphene exactly as directed for the exact number of days prescribed. Try to take your medicine at the same time each day. Most women take clomiphene for a 5 day period, but the length of treatment may be adjusted for some. Your prescriber or health care professional will give you a start date for this medication and will give you follow-up instructions. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
This medicine is for use by adults only. This medicine is not used in children.
What if I miss a dose?
It is important that you remember to take your dose each day. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If you do not remember until the next day, call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
What drug(s) may interact with clomiphene?
- herbal or dietary supplements, like blue cohosh, black cohosh, chasteberry, or DHEA
- prasterone
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking clomiphene?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
- nausea and vomiting along with severe abdominal pain
- pelvic pain or bloating
- sudden shortness of breath
- changes in vision - blurred vision, seeing double, eye sensitivity to bright light
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Less common:
- difficulty sleeping
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- headache
- irritability or nervousness
- changes in menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods
- tiredness
More Common:
- breast discomfort
- hot flashes (flushing of skin, increased sweating)
- mild pelvic discomfort
- mild nausea
What should I watch for while taking clomiphene?
For men only: See your prescriber regularly for checks on your progress, testing of your sperm will need to be done regularly to see if clomiphene is increasing your sperm counts.
For women: For most effective use, you need to understand how and when to use clomiphene. You need to know when you are ovulating and when to have sexual intercourse, to increase the chance of starting a baby. Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress and discuss these issues before you start taking clomiphene.
Your prescriber may need to monitor your hormone levels in your blood or may have you use certain home-urine tests to check for ovulation and response to clomiphene treatment. You may need to chart your temperature or monthly periods. Try to keep any appointments for testing, as the timing of these tests in relation to taking your medication may be important.
Stop taking clomiphene at once and contact your prescriber or health care professional if you think you are pregnant.
Clomiphene is not for long-term therapy. Most women that benefit from clomiphene do so within the first three cycles (months). If you do not get pregnant after three cycles your prescriber or health care professional will reevaluate your condition; clomiphene is usually used for a total of no more than 6 cycles of treatment once it is determined that you have ovulated while on it.
The following information is for both women and men:
You may get dizzy or have blurred vision; until you know how clomiphene affects you, do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness. Tell your prescriber if vision changes occur.
Drinking alcoholic beverages or smoking tobacco may decrease some persons chances of becoming pregnant. Talk with your health care professional about not drinking alcohol and decreasing tobacco use during your fertility treatments.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
