The brand name for the fertility drug Clomiphene is Clomid or Serophene. It is a fertility drug used by some women who cannot conceive. It changes the hormonal balance in the body . This may cause ovulation in some women. This medication is only available with doctor’s prescription. Clomiphene is also used for other medical conditions such as
- low sperm count in men
- men with hormonal imbalance that originates from the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus
- problems with the corpus luteum ( mature egg)
Is clomiphene for you ?
Your doctor will decide whether or not you need to take this medication. He will consider the following precautions before deciding if you should take the medication.
- if you are pregnant or not (the drug should not be used in pregnant women)
- any allergies you have
- all medications you are taking to ensure it is safe to take them with clomiphene
He will also find out about your medical history. This medication should not be used if you have the following medical conditions .
- fibroid tumors in the uterus
- unusually large ovary
- liver disease
- inflamed veins due to blood clots
- cyst on the ovary
- unusual vagina bleeding
- mental depression
How to use clomiphene ?
You should take this medication as directed by the doctor. This medication is usually taken in a pill form for one five-day cycle a month. To help you remember, take the medication the same time everyday. The amount of medicine you take depends on the strength of medication. You should also know that the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses and the length of time you take the medication depend on the medical problem you’re using the medication for.
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Do not take it more often or for a longer time than prescribed by the doctor.
What are the side effects of clomiphene ?
Some of the side effects that may occur with the use of this medication include the following :
- stomach or pelvic pain
- bloating
You may also experience less common side effects such as
- yellow eyes and skin
- blurred vision
- decreased or double vision
- light sensitivity
- seeing flashes of light
Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any of these side effects.
NOTE
It is essential to check with your doctor on regular basis to find out if the medicine is working. It is also possible that this medication may cause birth defects. If you get pregnant while taking clomiphene, you need to stop taking it and notify you doctor immediately.
Content Sources
PCOS and Clomid Fertility Treatment and Pregnancy. Advanced fertility center of Chicago. http://www.advancedfertility.com/clomid-pcos-treatment.htm. Accessed April 13, 2015
Clomid oral. WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-11204/clomid-oral/details. Accessed April 13, 2015
Clomiphene – oral route. Mayo Foundation. http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/clomiphene-oral-route/description/drg-20063072. Accessed April 13, 2015