Clomifene Citrate - Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator For Ovulation Induction, Enhances Fertility In Subfertility Treatment

Clomifene Citrate is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that is now the most widely prescribed drug for ovulation induction to reverse oligoovulation or anovulation . For more than 30 years, clomiphene citrate has been the first-line treatment for inducing ovulation in reproductive-aged women with subfertility or infertility. Clomiphene Citrate therapy is typically carried out for 5 consecutive days early in the menstrual cycle, for 3 to 6 monthly cycles. Clomifene Citrate has also been used with other reproductive modalities to increase the success rates of the drug. Clomiphene citrate administration leads to depletion of the estrogen receptors at the level of the pituitary and hypothalamus thus interrupting the negative feedback that estrogen normally produces. The most common adverse reaction associated with the use of clomifene citrate (>10% of people) is reversible ovarian enlargement. Less common effects (1-10% of people) include visual symptoms (blurred vision, diplopia, photophobia, scotomata), headaches, vasomotor flushes, abnormal uterine bleeding and/or abdominal discomfort. Rare adverse effects of clomifene citrate(<1% of people) include: hypertriglyceridemia, reversible alopecia and/or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.