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- ARTICLESClomid or Clomiphene Citrate:
The whole story
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According to the Physician’s Desk Reference
I have added a few questions as a checklist at the end of some paragraphs. Please readthis carefully and consider natural alternatives such as cleansing, dietary changes orherbs.
Why is this drug prescribed? - Clomiphene is prescribed for the treatment ofovulatory failure in women who wish to become pregnant and whose husbands are fertile andpotent. My notes: Has your husband been checked, SA?
Most important facts about this drug - Properly timed sexual intercourse isvery important to increase the chances of conception. The likelihood of conceptiondiminishes with each succeeding course of treatment. Your doctor will determine theneed for continuing therapy after the first course. If you do not ovulate after 3 coursesor do not become pregnant after 3 ovulations, your doctor will stop this therapy.
My notes: If you have been on Clomiphene, has your doctor informed you of this? Howmany courses have you completed?
How should you take this medication? Take this medication exactly as prescribedby your doctor:
My notes: I have not included "If you miss a dose" or"Storage". These 2 paragraphs are not important here.
What side effects may occur? - Side effects occur infrequently and generally donot interfere with treatment at the recommended dosage of clomiphene. They tend to occurmore frequently at higher doses and during long-term treatment.
My notes: Above it mentions 3 courses or 3 ovulations, where does "long-termtreatment" fit into that? It appears that "long-term treatment" is notadvised. Consider what dosage and how many courses you are on.
More common side effects include: - Abdominal discomfort, enlargement ofthe ovaries and hot flushes.
Less common side effects include: - Abnormal uterine bleeding, breasttenderness, depression, dizziness, fatigue, hair loss, headache, hives, inability to fallor stay asleep, increased urination, inflammation of the skin, light-headedness, nausea,nervousness, ovarian cysts, visual disturbances, vomiting, weight gain.
My notes: Has your doctor informed you of these? If you want to find out how commonthese are, go to an infertility message board on the WWW and ask what side effects othersexperienced. You may be surprised what is common and what is "less common".
Why should this drug not be prescribed? - If you are pregnant or think you maybe, do not take this drug.
Unless directed to do so by your doctor, do not use this medication if you have anuncontrolled thyroid or adrenal gland disorder, an abnormality of the brain such as apituitary gland tumor, a liver disease or a history of liver problems, abnormal uterinebleeding of undetermined origin, ovarian cysts or enlargement of the ovaries not caused bypolycystic ovarian syndrome (a hormonal disorder causing lack of ovulation).
Special warnings about this medication - Your doctor will evaluate you fornormal liver function and normal estrogen levels before considering you for treatment withclomiphene.
My notes: Have these tests been done?
Your doctor will also examine you for pregnancy, ovarian enlargement or cyst formationprior to treatment with this drug and between each treatment cycle. He or she will do acomplete pelvic examination before each course of this medication. My notes: Has thisbeen done, for you, in between each course of Clomiphene?
Clomiphene treatment increases the possibility of multiple births; also, birth defectshave been reported following treatment to induce ovulation with clomiphene, although nodirect 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 doyou suppose it is here? The PDR requires these things to be in writing if there is anypossible association.
Because blurring and other visual symptoms may occur occasionally with clomiphenetreatment, 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 ofvisual disturbance may include blurring, spots or flashes, double vision, intolerance tolight, 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 inwomen receiving treatment with clomiphene. OHSS may progress rapidly and become serious.The early warning signs are severe pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting and weight gain. Symptomsinclude abdominal pain, abdominal enlargement, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight gain,difficult or labored breathing, and less urine production. If you experience any of thesewarning signs or symptoms, notify your doctor immediately.
To lessen the risks associated with abnormal ovarian enlargement during treatment withclomiphene, the lowest effective dose should be prescribed. Women with the hormonaldisorder, polycystic ovarian syndrome, may be unusually sensitive to certain hormones andmay respond abnormally to usual doses of this drug. If you experience pelvic pain, notifyyour doctor. He may discontinue your use of clomiphene until the ovaries return topretreatment 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 increasethe risk of a tumor in the ovaries. My notes: Has your doctor mentioned this or gonepast 6 courses?
Special Information - If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you becomepregnant, notify your doctor immediately. You should not be taking this drug while you arepregnant.