Clomid Side Effects

Generic name: clomiphene

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 22, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Clomid.

Applies to clomiphene: oral tablet Side Effects associated with clomiphene. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Clomid.

Applies to clomiphene: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working and to check for unwanted effects.

At certain times in your menstrual cycle, your doctor may want you to use an ovulation prediction test kit. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Ovulation is controlled by luteinizing hormone (LH). LH is present in the blood and urine in very small amounts during most of the menstrual cycle but rises suddenly for a short time in the middle of the menstrual cycle. This sharp rise, the LH surge, usually causes ovulation within about 30 hours. A woman is most likely to become pregnant if she has intercourse within the 24 hours after detecting the LH surge. Ovulation prediction test kits are used to test for this large amount of LH in the urine. This method is better for predicting ovulation than measuring daily basal body temperature. It is important that intercourse take place at the correct time to give you the best chance of becoming pregnant.

There is a chance that clomiphene (the active ingredient contained in Clomid) may cause birth defects if it is taken after you become pregnant. Stop taking clomiphene and tell your doctor immediately if you think you have become pregnant while still taking clomiphene.

This medicine may cause blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or other changes in vision. It may also cause some people to become dizzy or lightheaded. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not clear-headed or able to see well. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check with your doctor.

Serious side effects of Clomid

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:

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

Other side effects of Clomid

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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to clomiphene: compounding powder, oral tablet.

General adverse events

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]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

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

Further information

Clomid 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.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer