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Clomid or Clomiphene Citrate: According to the Physician’s Desk Reference I have added a few questions as a checklist at the end of some paragraphs. Please read this carefully and consider natural alternatives such as cleansing, dietary changes or herbs. Why is this drug prescribed? - Clomiphene is prescribed for the treatment of ovulatory failure in women who wish to become pregnant and whose husbands are fertile and potent. My notes: Has your husband been checked, SA? Most important facts about this drug - Properly timed sexual intercourse is
very important to increase the chances of conception. The likelihood of conception
diminishes with each succeeding course of treatment. Your doctor will determine the
need for continuing therapy after the first course. If you do not ovulate after 3 courses
or do not become pregnant after 3 ovulations, your doctor will stop this therapy. How should you take this medication? Take this medication exactly as prescribed
by your doctor: What side effects may occur? - Side effects occur infrequently and generally do
not interfere with treatment at the recommended dosage of clomiphene. They tend to occur
more frequently at higher doses and during long-term treatment. More common side effects include: - Abdominal discomfort, enlargement of the ovaries and hot flushes. Less common side effects include: - Abnormal uterine bleeding, breast
tenderness, depression, dizziness, fatigue, hair loss, headache, hives, inability to fall
or stay asleep, increased urination, inflammation of the skin, light-headedness, nausea,
nervousness, ovarian cysts, visual disturbances, vomiting, weight gain. Why should this drug not be prescribed? - If you are pregnant or think you may be, do not take this drug. Unless directed to do so by your doctor, do not use this medication if you have an uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal gland disorder, an abnormality of the brain such as a pituitary gland tumor, a liver disease or a history of liver problems, abnormal uterine bleeding of undetermined origin, ovarian cysts or enlargement of the ovaries not caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (a hormonal disorder causing lack of ovulation). Special warnings about this medication - Your doctor will evaluate you for
normal liver function and normal estrogen levels before considering you for treatment with
clomiphene. Your doctor will also examine you for pregnancy, ovarian enlargement or cyst formation prior to treatment with this drug and between each treatment cycle. He or she will do a complete pelvic examination before each course of this medication. My notes: Has this been done, for you, in between each course of Clomiphene? Clomiphene treatment increases the possibility of multiple births; also, birth defects have been reported following treatment to induce ovulation with clomiphene, although no direct effects of the drug on the unborn child have been established. My notes: It is interesting to note that this is not a common phrase in the PDR. Why do you suppose it is here? The PDR requires these things to be in writing if there is any possible association. Because blurring and other visual symptoms may occur occasionally with clomiphene treatment, you should be cautious about driving a car or operating dangerous machinery, especially under conditions of variable lighting. If you experience visual disturbances, notify your doctor immediately. Symptoms of visual disturbance may include blurring, spots or flashes, double vision, intolerance to light, decreased visual sharpness, loss of peripheral vision, and distortion of space. Your doctor may recommend a complete evaluation by an eye specialist. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS, enlargement of the ovary) has occurred in women receiving treatment with clomiphene. OHSS may progress rapidly and become serious. The early warning signs are severe pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting and weight gain. Symptoms include abdominal pain, abdominal enlargement, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight gain, difficult or labored breathing, and less urine production. If you experience any of these warning signs or symptoms, notify your doctor immediately. To lessen the risks associated with abnormal ovarian enlargement during treatment with clomiphene, the lowest effective dose should be prescribed. Women with the hormonal disorder, polycystic ovarian syndrome, may be unusually sensitive to certain hormones and may respond abnormally to usual doses of this drug. If you experience pelvic pain, notify your doctor. He may discontinue your use of clomiphene until the ovaries return to pretreatment size. Because the safety of long-term treatment, with clomiphene has not been established, your doctor will not prescribe more than 6 courses of therapy. Prolonged use may increase the risk of a tumor in the ovaries. My notes: Has your doctor mentioned this or gone past 6 courses? Special Information - If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you become pregnant, notify your doctor immediately. You should not be taking this drug while you are pregnant. |
