Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate)
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) is prescribed for the treatment of ovulatory failure in women who wish to become pregnant and whose husbands are fertile and potent. Clomiphene is an ovulatory stimulant. Clomid works by helping to produce more hormones that cause your ovaries to release 1 or more eggs.
Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) is one of the first treatments usually recommended for women suffering from infertility. Clomiphene Citrate is a well tested treatment that doctors have many years of experience with. Clomiphene Citrate is also a relatively safe and low risk medicine. Clomid is used to treat ovary disorders and malfunctions and to prepare women for a Clomiphene Citrate challenge test (CCCT). It helps the ovaries to perform two functions. It helps to produce eggs. Clomid also helps to produce the hormones needed in the pregnancy process.
Clomid reduces estrogen production. Low estrogen levels cause the pituitary gland produce more hormones to raise estrogen levels. The pituitary gland produces more FSH and LH hormones which stimulate follicle and egg production in the ovaries. By strengthening the weak egg producing processes, the ovaries produce more eggs. Clomid can often help women who have eggs only two or three months per year to produce every month. This greatly increases the changes of becoming pregnant.
Clomid also corrects luteal phase deficiency (LPD). In LPD, the ovaries do nott produce enough luteal hormone (LH). Luteal hormone maintains the uterus's blood vessels which nourishes the embryo. Lack of LH causes the uterine lining to fall out, similar to what happens in a monthly period. Even when a women becomes pregnant, if her uterine lining is not strong enough, she miscarries.
Take Clomiphene only as directed by your doctor. If you are to begin on Day 5, count the first day of your menstrual period as Day 1. Beginning on Day 5, take the correct dose every day for as many days as your doctor ordered. To help you to remember to take your dose of medicine, take it at the same time every day.
Clomiphene Citrate Dosage
The dose of Clomiphene Citrate will be different for different patients. Follow your doctors orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of Clomiphene. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
For treating infertility:
Adults — 50 milligrams (mg) of Clomid a day for five days of a menstrual cycle. The treatment is usually started on the fifth day of your menstrual period. If you do not have menstrual cycles, you can begin taking your medicine at any time. If you do not become pregnant after the first course, your doctor may increase your dose a little at a time up to 250 mg a day. Your treatment may be repeated until you do become pregnant or for up to four treatment cycles.
If you miss a dose of Clomiphene Citrate
If you miss a dose of Clomiphene Citrate, 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.
Storage — How to store Clomiphene Citrate
- Keep Clomiphene Citrate out of the reach of children.
- Store Clomid away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store Clomiphene Citrate in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the Clomid to break down.
- Do not keep outdated Clomiphene Citrate or Clomid no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Side effects of Clomiphene Citrate
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 a short time at low doses, serious side effects usually are rare. However, check with your doctor immediately if any of the following Clomiphene Citrate side effects occur:
More common Clomid side effects:
Bloating; stomach or pelvic pain.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common or rare Clomiphene Citrate side effects:
Blurred vision; decreased or double vision or other vision problems; seeing flashes of light; sensitivity of eyes to light; yellow eyes or skin.
