Medication Information Leaflet
What is this medication for?
Clomiphene is used as a fertility medication in some women who are unable to become pregnant. They work by stimulating the release of eggs from the ovary, causing ovulation to occur. This helps prepare the body for conception.
How should I take/use this medication?
- Take this medication only as directed by your doctor.
- This medication is usually taken when you start having your full flow menstruation and after obtaining a negative pregnancy test.
- Take for 5 days (normally from Day 2 to Day 6 of menses menstruation), preferably at the same time each day.
You can take this medication with or without food.
What should I do if I forget to take/use this medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.
What precautions should I take?
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding (ensure negative urine pregnancy test before taking this medication)
- You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
- You have or ever had liver disease
- You have hypertriglyceridemia (an excess of a certain fat in the blood) or a family history of it
- You have a hormone dependent tumour (such as breast cancer) or abnormal menstrual bleeding
- You have ovarian cysts (except polycystic ovary) or fibroids
- You have or ever had fits or seizures
What are some common side-effects of this medication?
- Bloating, nausea and/or vomiting
- Take the medication after food to reduce these side effects
- Hot flushes
- Wear loose fitting clothes or go to areas with air-conditioning
- Dizziness/light-headedness and tiredness
- Avoid activities that require mental alertness and avoid using heavy machineries.
- Headache, muscle aches or joint pains
- You may take Paracetamol to relieve such symptoms (if not allergic to Paracetamol).
Inform your doctor if these side effects become severe and bothersome.
What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
Other rare but serious side effects that you may or may not experience include:
- Numbness, weakness or paralysis on one side of your body, slurred speech, sudden blurred vision, confusion or unsteadiness.
- Dark urine or light coloured stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellowing of your eyes or skin
- Ovaries get more stimulated, which can cause very bad stomach pain and bloating, feeling sick and vomiting, shortness of breath, dehydration and passing less urine
- Eyesight changes e.g. blurred vision or seeing spots or flashes. This usually occurs when taking higher doses of the medication or for a long time. Eyesight most often returns to normal when the medication is stopped.
- Sudden and severe headaches
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
How should I store this medication?
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
How should I throw away this medication safely?
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
Disclaimers
Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup, and supported by the Ministry of Health. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
Last updated on Oct 2022
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