What is the most important information I should know about clomiphene?
Do not use clomiphene if you are already pregnant.
You should not use clomiphene if you have: liver disease, abnormal vaginal bleeding, an uncontrolled adrenal gland or thyroid disorder, an ovarian cyst (unrelated to polycystic ovary syndrome), or if you are pregnant.
What is clomiphene?
Clomiphene is used to treat infertility in women who cannot ovulate.
Clomiphene may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clomiphene?
Your doctor will perform medical tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using clomiphene.
You should not use clomiphene if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
- abnormal vaginal bleeding;
- an ovarian cyst that is not related to polycystic ovary syndrome;
- past or present liver disease;
- a tumor of your pituitary gland;
- an untreated or uncontrolled problem with your thyroid or adrenal gland; or
- if you are pregnant.
Do not use clomiphene if you are already pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about the possible effects of clomiphene on a new pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- endometriosis or uterine fibroids;
- high triglycerides; or
- a pancreas disorder.
Fertility treatment may increase your chance of having multiple births (twins, triplets, etc). These are high-risk pregnancies both for the mother and the babies. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.
It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
How should I take clomiphene?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Clomiphene is usually taken for 5 days at a time, and your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
You will most likely ovulate within 5 to 10 days after you take clomiphene. To improve your chance of becoming pregnant, you should have sexual intercourse while you are ovulating.
Your doctor may have you take your temperature each morning and record your daily readings on a chart. This will help you determine when you can expect ovulation to occur. The timing of sex and ovulation is important for clomiphene to work.
You will need frequent pelvic examinations. You must remain under the care of a doctor while you are using clomiphene.
In most cases, clomiphene should not be used for more than 3 treatment cycles. Using clomiphene for longer than 3 treatment cycles may increase your risk of developing an ovarian tumor. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.
If you do not get pregnant after 3 treatment cycles, your doctor may stop treatment and evaluate your infertility further.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of clomiphene.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking clomiphene?
This medicine may cause blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.
What are the possible side effects of clomiphene?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Some women using clomiphene develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a potentially life-threatening condition. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of OHSS:
- stomach pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- rapid weight gain, especially in your face and midsection;
- little or no urination; or
- pain when you breathe, rapid heart rate, feeling short of breath (especially when lying down).
Common side effects may include:
- flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
- nausea, vomiting, bloating;
- breast pain or tenderness;
- headache; or
- breakthrough bleeding or spotting.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect clomiphene?
Other drugs may affect clomiphene, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about clomiphene.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2020 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.01. Revision date: 2/11/2019.
