Clomid (Clomifene Citrate) 50mg Tablet

Clomid (Clomifene Citrate) 50mg Tablets: Clomid tablets contain the active ingredient clomifene citrate (previously spelt clomiphene in the UK). It is from a group of medicines called antioestrogens which are used to treat some types of infertility. Clomiphene causes an increase in the hormones in the body which control the development and release of an egg in ovulation. It helps to re-start or encourage regular ovulation. This is a prescription only product.

How does it work?

Clomifene is used to stimulate ovulation in women whose infertility is due to problems with ovulation.

Clomifene works by causing an increase in the levels of hormones in the female body which control the development and release of an egg. These hormones are released from the pituitary gland in the brain and are known as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH). FSH stimulates the ovaries and LH causes the release of an egg from the ovaries (ovulation).

Oestrogen normally causes the brain to stop releasing FSH and LH following ovulation, as part of the normal menstrual cycle. It does this by acting on receptors in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which sends messages to the pituitary gland.

Clomifene works by blocking the oestrogen receptors in the hypothalamus. This stops oestrogen from acting on these receptors, and therefore stops the message being sent to the pituitary gland. This results in the release of more FSH and LH from the pituitary gland. The increase in these hormones increases the chances of egg development and ovulation.

What is it used for?

Infertility in women caused by failure of ovulation

Please refer to the patient information leaflet provided for all information concerning Clomid.

Clomid (Clomifene Citrate) 50mg Tablets:

Always take Clomid exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Adult women only:

• Your doctor will tell you when in your menstrual cycle to start taking the tablets
• For the first course of treatment, take one tablet a day for five days.
• If you do not have a period after the first course of treatment your doctor will increase your dose to two tablets a day for five days.
• You should start this second course at least 30 days after the first course
• You will not usually take more than three courses of treatment. If ovulation does not happen after three courses talk to your doctor
• This medicine should not be taken by children, adolescents, men or women who have already gone through the menopause (post-menopausal).

Clomid (Clomifene Citrate) 50mg Tablets:

• Each tablet contains 50mg of the active substance, clomifene citrate
• The other ingredients are sucrose, lactose, soluble starch, maize starch, magnesium stearate, iron oxide yellow (E172), purified water

Clomid (Clomifene Citrate) 50mg Tablets:

Like all medicines, Clomid can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Stop taking Clomid and see your doctor or go to a hospital straight away if:

• You have an allergic reaction. The signs may include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue
• You have numbness, weakness or paralysis on one side of your body, slurred speech, sudden blurred vision, confusion or unsteadiness. These could be signs of a stroke

Stop taking Clomid and see a doctor straight away if you notice any of the following serious side effects - you may need urgent medical treatment:

• Over-stimulation of the ovary. This can lead to pain in the pelvis, stomach or calf, swelling or feeling bloated, passing less urine, difficulty in breathing or an increase
• in weight. If this happens, your doctor may lower your dose of Clomid.
• Blurring of vision or spots or flashes in front of the eyes . These symptoms usually get better but in some cases they may be permanent. Your doctor may send you for an eye examination.
• Liver problems that may cause the eyes or skin to go yellow (jaundice)
• Sudden and severe headaches
• Mental illness such as ‘psychosis’

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if any of the side effects gets serious or lasts longer than a few days or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet.

• Becoming pregnant with more than one child at the same time (multiple pregnancies)
• Pregnancies where the baby grows outside of the womb (ectopic)
• Increased risk of cancer in the ovaries
• Any pregnancy could lead to birth defects or miscarriage. This can happen even if you are not taking Clomid. You should talk to your doctor about the possible risks before you take Clomid.

• A rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue
• You have or ever had liver disease
• You have unusual menstrual bleeding where the cause is not known
• You have a type of cancer that is made worse by hormones
• You have a cyst on your ovary
• You are pregnant. You should have a test to make sure you are not pregnant before you take Clomid

• Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking your medicine if:
• You are having an early menopause or have been told you are infertile
• You have stopped having periods because you are under-weight
• You have had fits or seizures in the past
• You have ‘fibroids’ in your womb
• You have ‘polycystic’ ovaries
• Your ovaries are swollen
• Your doctor should check for any other causes of fertility problems before starting treatment with Clomid.
• If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Clomid.

• Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
• Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed. Clomid can lower the amount of milk produced

• Take this medicine by mouth
• Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or chew your tablets
• Do not take more than two tablets in one day
• Do not take the tablets for more than five days at a time
• If you feel the effect of your medicine is not working, do not change the dose yourself, but ask your doctor

• Your doctor will tell you when in your menstrual cycle to start taking the tablets
• For the first course of treatment, take one tablet a day for five days.
• If you do not have a period after the first course of treatment your doctor will increase your dose to two tablets a day for five days.
• You should start this second course at least 30 days after the first course
• You will not usually take more than three courses of treatment. If ovulation does not happen after three courses talk to your doctor
• This medicine should not be taken by children, adolescents, men or women who have already gone through the menopause (post-menopausal).

• You have an allergic reaction. The signs may include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue
• You have numbness, weakness or paralysis on one side of your body, slurred speech, sudden blurred vision, confusion or unsteadiness. These could be signs of a stroke

• Over-stimulation of the ovary. This can lead to pain in the pelvis, stomach or calf, swelling or feeling bloated, passing less urine, difficulty in breathing or an increase
• in weight. If this happens, your doctor may lower your dose of Clomid.
• Blurring of vision or spots or flashes in front of the eyes . These symptoms usually get better but in some cases they may be permanent. Your doctor may send you for an eye examination.
• Liver problems that may cause the eyes or skin to go yellow (jaundice)
• Sudden and severe headaches
• Mental illness such as ‘psychosis’

• Increased pain with periods, heavy periods or bleeding between periods.
• Pain in the lower part of the stomach. This could be a sign of endometriosis or worsening of endometriosis, ovarian cancer or enlarged ovaries
• Cloudy lenses in the eye (cataracts)
• Fits, feeling faint, dis-orientated or more tense than normal. Also, balance problems or feeling dizzy (vertigo)
• Feeling tired or difficulty in sleeping (insomnia), depression or change in moods or behaviour
• Speech problems
• Skin rash or itching
• Feeling or being sick
• Flushing of the skin
• Headaches
• Swelling of the face, around the eyes, lips or tongue
• Painful breasts
• Hair loss or thinning

• Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in original container below 25ºC.
• Do not use Clomid after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.