Clomiphene Citrate Drug Details (Generic)
Therapeutic Class:
Selective estrogen receptor modulator (ovulatory stimulant)
Forms:
Tablet
Administration:
By mouth
Therapeutic Uses:
To treat ovulatory dysfunction or ovulatory failure (infertility) in women desiring a pregnancy
Controlled Status:
Not a controlled substance
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) Drug Class
Clomiphene citrate (klo-mi-feen sih-trate) belongs to a group of medications called selective estrogen receptor modulators or ovulatory stimulants.
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) Age Range
Clomiphene is FDA approved for use in adults.
Clomid Drug Details (Brand)
Generic Name:
Therapeutic Class:
Sex Hormones and Modulators of the Genital System
Availability:
Rx
Common Brands:
Form:
Oral tablet
CLOMIPHENE (KLOE mi feen) treats irregular or absent ovulation in people trying to get pregnant. It works by helping your body release an egg (ovulation), which increases the chance of pregnancy.
Clomiphene Citrate Uses (Generic)
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) Uses
Clomiphene is used to induce ovulation in women who do not produce eggs and wish to become pregnant, for example, women with irregular menstrual cycles or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This medicine can also increase sperm production and treat infertility in men with low sperm counts due to low testosterone levels.
There may be other uses of clomiphene—such as for fibrocystic breasts, menstrual abnormalities, persistent milk production, and male hypogonadism (male infertility). Your doctor or health system pharmacists can give you further clomiphene drug information.
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) Mechanism of Action
Clomiphene is a weak estrogen-like hormone that acts on estrogen receptors in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the brain. This tricks the body into believing estrogen levels are low, resulting in increased secretion of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These hormones cause ovarian follicles to develop and eggs to be released from the ovaries. In this way, Clomid works to stimulate the release of mature eggs from the ovaries.
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) Doses
Clomiphene is available as a 50 mg tablet. Clomiphene therapy is usually started at 50 mg once a day by mouth for 5 days. If the first cycle of Clomid treatment does not result in a pregnancy, your doctor may increase the dose in subsequent clomiphene cycles to 100 mg once a day for 5 days. If ovulation induction does not occur in anovulatory women even at doses of 150 mg a day in subsequent cycles, then some other infertility treatment may be attempted.
Clomiphene Citrate Directions (Generic)
How To Use Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid)
Clomiphene comes in the form of a tablet to be taken once a day by mouth for a 5-day cycle. Your healthcare provider will discuss proper timing with you. Clomid use is typically started on day 5 of your menstrual cycle.
Read the prescription label carefully and take this fertility drug exactly as prescribed. Do not take a higher or lower dose or take it more or less frequently than advised by your healthcare provider.
Try to take your medicine at around the same time every day for maximum benefit. This will also help you remember to take it.
Missed dose: If you forget to take a dose of clomiphene, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, call your doctor for instructions. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Storage: Store clomiphene at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in a tightly closed container. Do not store medications in the bathroom where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.
Unused medicine: Unused or expired clomiphene should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw clomiphene in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded clomiphene is through your local waste disposal company or a drug take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal.
NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on clomiphene citrate. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about clomiphene, talk to your healthcare professionals for medical advice.
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Clomid Directions (Brand)
How should I use Clomid?
Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Take it as directed on the prescription label. Take exactly as directed for the exact number of days prescribed. This medication is usually taken for a 5-day period, but the length of treatment may be adjusted. Your care team will give you a start date for this medication and will give you instructions on proper use. Do not take your medication more often than directed.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of Clomid contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: Clomid is only for you. Do not share Clomid with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Clomiphene Citrate Side Effects (Generic)
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) Side Effects
Possible side effects of clomiphene are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if these side effects are severe or do not go away in a few days.
- Feeling of flushing or warmth
- Breast discomfort
- Headache
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Some of the side effects of clomiphene are more serious. Call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care if you experience:
- Visual changes such as seeing spots or flashes, blurry vision, double vision
- Shortness of breath
- Stomach pain or swelling
- Weight gain
The above list may not include all the potential adverse reactions of clomiphene citrate. Contact your healthcare professional if your side effects are unusual or severe or they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Clomiphene citrate (Clomid) Overdose: In case of an overdose of clomiphene, call your doctor immediately. You can also call the local poison control center or national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If a person cannot be awakened, has trouble breathing, has collapsed, or has had a seizure, call 911. Signs and symptoms of an overdose may include blurred vision, visual changes such as flashes or spots, blind spots, lower stomach pain, upset stomach, stomach swelling, vomiting, and hot flashes.
Source: FDA
Clomid Side Effects (Brand)
What side effects may I notice from receiving Clomid?
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
-Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
-Change in vision
-Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome—stomach or pelvic pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight gain
-Pancreatitis—severe stomach pain that spreads to your back or gets worse after eating or when touched, fever, nausea, vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
-Breast pain or tenderness
-Headache
-Hot flashes
-Irregular menstrual cycles or spotting
This list may not describe all possible side effects for Clomid. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Source: FDAClomiphene Citrate Warnings (Generic)
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) Risks, Warnings, and Complications
Clomiphene can cause serious adverse effects in some people. Talk to your doctor about other infertility treatments if you are at a high risk of complications from clomiphene. Some of the potential risks of taking this medicine include:
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Precautions Before Starting Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid)
Tell your doctor if you have ever had allergic reactions to clomiphene or other medications. Your pharmacy can give you a list of active and inactive ingredients in clomiphene citrate tablets.
Give your doctor a complete medical history. Clomiphene may not be right for people with certain medical conditions such as liver disease, thyroid disease, adrenal disease, pituitary tumor, abnormal uterine bleeding, uterine fibroids, or ovarian cysts (except those associated with polycystic ovary syndrome).
Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your current medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This will help avoid possible drug interactions between Clomid and your other medications.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Precautions During Use of Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid)
Keep all your healthcare appointments during Clomid treatment. Your provider may want to order blood or urine tests. Ask your doctor if you don’t understand any part of the treatment plan.
Clomiphene can cause blurry vision, especially in low-light conditions. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
Tell your doctor without delay if you become pregnant while on clomiphene.
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) Drug Interactions
Certain medicines may affect how well clomiphene works. Taking clomiphene with other drugs could increase the risk of severe adverse effects. Your doctor may change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for adverse effects if there are known interactions between clomiphene citrate and your other medicines.
Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medicines.
Clomid Warnings (Brand)
What may interact with Clomid?
-Herbal or dietary supplements, such as blue cohosh, black cohosh, chasteberry, or DHEA
-Prasterone
What should I tell my health care provider before I take Clomid
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-Adrenal gland disease
-Blood vessel disease or blood clots
-Cyst on the ovary
-Endometriosis
-Liver disease
-Ovarian cancer
-Pituitary gland disease
-Vaginal bleeding that has not been evaluated
-An unusual or allergic reaction to clomiphene, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant (should not be used if you are already pregnant)
-Breastfeeding
What should I watch for while using Clomid?
Make sure you understand how and when to use this medication. You need to know when you are ovulating and when to have sexual intercourse. This will increase the chance of a pregnancy.
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. You may need tests to check the hormone levels in your blood, or you may have to use home-urine tests to check for ovulation. Try to keep any appointments.
Compared to other fertility treatments, this medication 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.
Stop taking this medication at once and contact your care team if you think you are pregnant.
This medication is not for long-term use. Most women that benefit from this medication do so within the first three cycles (months). Your care team will monitor your condition. This medication is usually used for a total of 6 cycles of treatment.
This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.
Drinking alcoholic beverages or smoking tobacco may decrease your chance of becoming pregnant. Limit or stop alcohol and tobacco use during your fertility treatments.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Store between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from heat, light, and moisture. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.
To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:
-Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
-If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, empty the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.
Clomiphene Citrate Pros & Cons (Generic)
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) Pros and Cons
- Clomiphene is an affordable infertility treatment.
- Most people tolerate this medicine well with few side effects.
- It works well in those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- You only need to take a Clomid tablet once a day.
- Clomiphene treatment can be combined with hCG injection and/or intrauterine insemination (artificial insemination) to increase successful pregnancy rates.
- Clomiphene is not a long-term treatment option for infertility. You will need to consider other treatment options if you do not get pregnant after 3-6 Clomid cycles.
- This medication may not be safe if you have ovarian cysts (except from polycystic ovarian syndrome).
- Clomiphene may not be suitable for people with liver disease or thyroid disease.
Clomiphene Citrate Pharmacist Tips (Generic)
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) Tips from Pharmacists
You can take clomiphene with or without food. If you experience nausea and vomiting as side effects, taking the tablet with food might help. For maximum efficacy, try to take your medicine at around the same time every day.
Clomiphene does not make you ovulate right away. Ovulation usually occurs between days 14 and 19 of your menstrual cycle. Having sexual intercourse around the time ovulation occurs will increase your chances of a successful pregnancy. Ovulation day can be predicted using ovulation predictor kits.
Taking clomiphene while you are pregnant can harm the unborn baby. Your provider may ask you to come in for a blood test or urine test to check human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels and rule out a pregnancy before starting you on the next clomiphene treatment cycle.
Talk to your partner and your healthcare provider about the risk of multiple births after clomiphene treatment.
Clomiphene Citrate Rx Savings Tips (Generic)
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) Rx Savings Tips
Brand names and generic drugs contain the same medicines and are equally effective and safe. For most medications, the generic drugs offer better value. However, the generic medication clomiphene citrate is only available as brand name drugs Clomid and Serophene. A BuzzRx clomiphene citrate coupon can result in big savings on the brand name forms of the drug. With a BuzzRx discount card, savings card, or discount coupons, the medication could cost you a fraction of retail prices. Clomiphene may be under $37.00 for 30 tablets at Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS Pharmacy, and other participating pharmacies with a BuzzRx discount card or free coupon. For the biggest discounts on clomiphene citrate, give the checkout clerk your BuzzRx Clomid discount coupon when you drop off your prescriptions at the pharmacy counter.
Lowest Price for Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) | |
Brand $36.60 | Generic $36.60 |
VIEW DISCOUNTS Pricing based on most commonly-filled versions. Select the strength and quantity of your medication for the most accurate pricing. |
Clomiphene Citrate Common Questions (Generic)
Common Questions about Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid)
When is the best time to get pregnant on Clomid?The best time to try and get pregnant while on Clomid treatment is by having sex on days 14 through 19 of your menstrual cycle, which is when ovulation occurs. You should try to have sex every other day (at least 2-3 times a week) for 7-10 days, starting 5 days after your last clomiphene tablet. |
How do I know Clomid is working?If you get a menstrual period on days 27 through 30 after taking Clomid, it means the medicine is working properly. If you don’t get your period, you should do a pregnancy test. If the pregnancy test is negative, you can continue taking the medicine for another cycle. Note that your provider may call you in to do a pregnancy test in the office before the next treatment cycle, because taking Clomid while pregnant can harm the unborn baby. |
What is the success of Clomid?Approximately 80% of women who take Clomid ovulate. However, 30-40% of women who take Clomid for 3 cycles become pregnant. |
What happens if I don’t get pregnant on Clomid?If you don’t get pregnant after the first cycle of Clomid, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose. However, if you don’t get pregnant after 3-6 cycles of clomiphene treatment, your provider will discuss other infertility treatments with you. |
Are Clomid babies normal?The use of Clomid (clomiphene citrate) has not been found to increase the rates of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) or congenital abnormalities (birth defects). However, infertility treatment with Clomid can result in a multiple pregnancy (twins or more). Talk to your provider about this if it is a concern for you or your partner. |
What is the price of clomiphene citrate without insurance?Without insurance, clomiphene citrate can be as high as $182.74, but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as $36.60 for the most common version of this medication. Use the BuzzRx drug price look-up tool to find the lowest discounted price, and be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity for the most accurate pricing. While generics tend to have the best savings, you can also use your BuzzRx card and coupons to purchase brand-name versions. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescription drugs—whether you have insurance or not. |
What is the price of clomiphene citrate with insurance?Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider for your copay price on clomiphene citrate—Copay amounts vary depending on the type of insurance plan you have and if there is a deductible to reach before prescription drug coverage begins. You could save up to 80% on your prescription medication with a free BuzzRx discount coupon for clomiphene citrate. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medicine, be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity to receive the most accurate discounted pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not. |
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