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Clomiphene Side Effects

Clomiphene is a drug mainly prescribed to treat infertility in women. Available in the brands Clomid, Serophene and in generic form, clomiphene is particularly helpful for women who rarely or never ovulate. Numerous side effects are possible.

  1. Most Common Effect

    • In clinical trials with clomiphene, as detailed by eMedTV, the most common side effect was enlargement of the ovaries, experienced by up to 13 percent of women in some studies. Related effects of pelvic or abdominal pain or bloating occurred in up to 5 percent of participants.

    Warning

    • Enlarged ovaries can be a symptom of a serious disorder called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. In severe cases, the ovaries rupture. Symptoms besides large ovaries include abdominal pain or swelling, diarrhea, less urine, nausea, pelvic pain, vomiting and weight gain.

    Other Side Effects

    • Other side effects experienced in 1 in 10 participants included breast pain, headache, hot flashes, nausea, and abnormal menstrual bleeding, including spotting between periods or abnormally-long heavy periods.

    Visual Disturbances

    • Clomiphene can cause visual disturbances, which call for prompt medical attention. These include blurred or double vision, decreased visual sharpness, loss of peripheral vision, spots, flashes and intolerance of light.

    Birth Defects

    • Birth defects have been reported after clomiphene treatment resulted in pregnancy, but researchers have been unable to establish whether the defects were caused by the drug.

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