Clomiphene Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 23, 2023.

Applies to clomiphene: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of clomiphene

Along with its needed effects, clomiphene may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking clomiphene:

More common

• bloating
• stomach or pelvic pain

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking clomiphene:

Less common or rare

• blurred vision
• decreased or double vision or other vision problems
• seeing flashes of light
• sensitivity of eyes to light
• yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects of clomiphene

Some side effects of clomiphene may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• hot flashes

Less common or rare

• breast discomfort
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• headache
• heavy menstrual periods or bleeding between periods
• mental depression
• nausea or vomiting
• nervousness
• restlessness
• tiredness
• trouble in sleeping

For healthcare professionals

Applies to clomiphene: compounding powder, oral tablet.

General

At recommended doses, this drug is well tolerated. Most side effects have been mild and transient and disappear promptly after treatment has stopped.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Ovarian enlargement (up to 13.6%), vasomotor flushes (10.4%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal/pelvic discomfort/distention/bloating, breast discomfort, uterine bleeding abnormal, intermenstrual spotting, menorrhagia
• Frequency not reported: Urinary frequency increased, urinary volume increased, vaginal dryness
• Postmarketing reports: Endometriosis, ovarian hemorrhage, tubal pregnancy, uterine hemorrhage, reduced endometrial thickness, ovarian hemorrhage, tubal pregnancy, uterine hemorrhage, endometrial thickness reduced

Fetal/Neonatal Patients:

• Postmarketing reports: Hypospadias, cloacal exstrophy^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision, lights, floaters, waves, unspecified visual complaints, photophobia, diplopia, scotomata, phosphenes
• Postmarketing reports: Abnormal accommodation, cataract, eye pain, macular edema, optic neuritis, photopsia, posterior vitreous detachment, retinal hemorrhage, retinal thrombosis, retinal vascular spasm, temporary or prolonged loss of vision

Fetal/Neonatal Patients:

• Postmarketing reports: Eye malformed, lens malformed/cataract^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Postmarketing reports: Arrhythmia, chest pain, hypertension, palpitation, phlebitis, tachycardia, thrombophlebitis

Fetal/Neonatal Patients:

• Postmarketing reports: Septal heart defect, muscular ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, tetralogy of Fallot, coarctation of aorta^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Postmarketing reports: Thyroid disorder

Fetal/Neonatal Patients:

• Postmarketing reports: Dwarfism^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Frequency not reported: Ovarian cancer, ovarian tumor
• Postmarketing reports: Ovarian cyst, hepatic hemangiosarcoma, liver cell adenoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, fibrocystic disease, breast carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma, astrocytoma, pituitary tumor, prolactinoma, neurofibromatosis, glioblastoma multiforme, brain abscess, ovary (luteoma of pregnancy, dermoid cyst of the ovary, ovarian carcinoma, hydatiform mole, choriocarcinoma, melanoma, myeloma, perianal cysts, renal cell carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, tongue carcinoma, bladder carcinoma

Fetal/Neonatal Patients:

• Postmarketing reports: Neuroectodermal tumor, thyroid tumor, hepatoblastoma, lymphocytic leukemia^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Frequency not reported: Dizziness, lightheadedness
• Postmarketing reports: Migraine headache, paresthesia, seizure, stroke, syncope

Fetal/Neonatal Patients:

• Postmarketing reports: Neural tube defect, anencephaly, meningomyelocele), microcephaly, hydrocephalus^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Dermatitis, rash, hair loss/dry hair
• Postmarketing reports: Acne, allergic reaction, erythema, erythema multiforme, erythema nodosum, hypertrichosis, pruritus, urticaria^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting
• Frequency not reported: Acute abdomen, constipation, diarrhea
• Postmarketing reports: Pancreatitis

Fetal/Neonatal Patients:

• Postmarketing reports: Cleft lip/palate, imperforate anus, tracheoesophageal fistula, diaphragmatic hernia, omphalocele^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Postmarketing reports: Leukocytosis^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Postmarketing reports: Increased transaminases, hepatitis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Appetite increased, serum desmosterol levels increase
• Postmarketing reports: Hypertriglyceridemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Postmarketing reports: Arthralgia, back pain, myalgia

Fetal/Neonatal Patients:

• Postmarketing reports: Abnormal bone development, skeletal malformations of skull/face/nasal passages/jaw/hand limb/foot/spine/joints^[Ref]

Other

• Frequency not reported: Fatigue, vertigo, weight gain, weight loss
• Postmarketing reports: Fever, tinnitus, weakness, edema

Fetal/Neonatal Patients:

• Postmarketing reports: Down's syndrome, ear abnormal, deafness^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Depression, insomnia, nervous tension
• Postmarketing reports: Anxiety, irritability, mood changed, psychosis

Fetal/Neonatal Patients:

• Postmarketing reports: Intellectual disability^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Postmarketing reports: Pulmonary embolism, shortness of breath

Fetal/Neonatal Patients:

• Postmarketing reports: Lung tissue malformation^[Ref]

Renal

Fetal/Neonatal Patients:

• Postmarketing reports: Renal agenesis, renal dysgenesis^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• What are the uses and side effects of enclomiphene capsules?

Further information

Clomiphene side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer