Pharmacological category:
Selective estrogen receptor modulator, Progonadotropin
Mechanism of medicine action:
Clomiphene possesses both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects, although the exact mechanism of action is unknown. Clomiphene appears to stimulate the release of gonadotropins, follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH), and leuteinizing hormone (LH). Clomifene has no known progestational, androgenic, or antrandrogenic effects, and it appears to have no influence on pituitary-adrenal or pituitary-thyroid function.
Side effects:
The use of Clomiphene citrate has the potential to cause side effects such as: mood swings, hot flashes, abdominal discomfort, visual disturbances, ovarian cyst formation, nausea, thinning of the uterine endometrial lining, reduced production of cervical mucous – this can lower fertility (bypassed by insemination). In males side effects can includes: increased risk of negative cardiovascular events, liver damage, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Dosage:
The selected patient’s treatment should begin with a low dose of 50 mg per day for 5 days. Only those patients who do not ovulate in response to cyclic 50 mg Clomiphene should have their dose raised. If unusual sensitivity to pituitary gonadotropin is suspected, such as in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, a low dosage or short treatment course is recommended.
