Enclomiphene
About Enclomiphene
Enclomiphene belongs to a group of medicines called ovulation stimulants. It is used for treating infertility in women who are not ovulating properly. Female infertility is a condition in which a woman is unable to conceive despite frequent unprotected sex for at least a year.
Enclomiphene contains a medicine called Enclomiphene. It works by stimulating the release of eggs from the ovary (ovulation).
Enclomiphene is a prescription-only medicine. Take Enclomiphene as prescribed. Enclomiphene may be taken with or without food. In some cases, Enclomiphene may cause certain common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, heavy bleeding at the initial stage, weight gain and headaches. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if these side effects persist or worsen.
It is recommended not to take Enclomiphene if you are hypersensitive (allergic) to Enclomiphene or any of the other ingredients of Enclomiphene. Signs of allergic reactions, having or ever had liver disease, having unusual menstrual bleeding where the cause is unknown, having a type of cancer that is made worse by hormones, or having a cyst on your ovary. The use of alcohol is prohibited. It is recommended not to use in populations below 18 years. You may notice problems with your eyesight, such as blurred vision while taking Enclomiphene. If this happens, do not drive or use any tools or machines.
Uses of Enclomiphene
Medicinal Benefits
Enclomiphene contains Enclomiphene, an ovarian stimulant and selective oestrogen receptor modulator. It is used primarily to improve female fertility in those suffering from problems related to the proper release of egg cells (ovulation). It regulates oestrogen levels in the body and increases the release of gonadotropic hormones FSH and LH. FSH and LH, in turn, act on the ovaries and follicles to augment the liberation of eggs from inside the follicles, thereby making the egg cells available and approachable for fertilisation by male sperm. In conjunction, Enclomiphene treats infertility and improves overall hormonal and gynaecological health.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Enclomiphene
- Nausea
- Stomach ache or pain
- Bloating
- Hot flashes
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Speech problems
- Skin rash or itching
- Feeling or being sick
- Cloudy lenses in the eye
- Abdomen pain
- Hair loss or thinning
- Increased levels of liver enzymes
- Feeling anxious
- Feeling more nervous than usual
Drug Warnings
Enclomiphene is not recommended in post-menopausal women, children or men or known allergy to either of the components. Enclomiphene may increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Keep your doctor informed of your entire medical history, including any history of early menopause or have been told you are infertile or have stopped having periods because you are under-weight, or have had fits or seizures in the past or have ‘fibroids’ in your womb or have ‘polycystic’ ovaries or with ovaries are swollen or have hypertriglyceridemia (an excess of fats in the blood) or a family history of hypertriglyceridemia.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Enclomiphene may interact with a chemotherapy drug (e.g. Vinorelbine), medicines used to treat pain during sexual intercourse (e.g. Ospemifene), a medication used to treat schistosomiasis (e.g. Oxamniquine), and a drug used to treat hypertension, angina pectoris, arrhythmias, and anxiety (e.g. Oxprenolol).
Drug-Food Interactions: Consumption of alcoholic beverages is completely avoided.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Enclomiphene may interact with various medical conditions, including preexisting liver or kidney impairment, unusual menstrual bleeding, cancer (made worse by hormones) and a cyst on your ovary.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionConsumption of alcohol while on Enclomiphene therapy is not recommended.
Pregnancy
unsafeEnclomiphene is not recommended for use during pregnancy and may cause birth defects. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Breast Feeding
cautionEnclomiphene should be used with caution during breastfeeding as it can affect the amount of milk produced. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Driving
cautionIn case you experience any side effects such as blurred vision or dizziness, refrain from driving after taking Enclomiphene.
Liver
cautionEnclomiphene may worsen pre-existing liver disease. Please consult your doctor in case of any concerns.
Kidney
cautionEnclomiphene should be used with caution in those with pre-existing kidney disease. Please consult your doctor in case of any concerns.
Children
not applicableEnclomiphene is unsafe to use in children under 18 years of age. Please consult your physician if you have any concerns.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Reducing weight and having a healthy BMI is very important to improve fertility.
- Avoid smoking to improve fertility.
- For better fertility, avoid caffeine and caffeinated drinks. Eat foods rich in antioxidants like zinc and folate and cut down on carbs. Increase your fibre intake.
- Your doctor may ask you to record your daily temperature every morning and make a chart of your body temperature to help determine when ovulation will occur (as body temperature tends to be slightly higher around then). The timing of sex and ovulation is important for Enclomiphene to show its benefits. Your doctor will advise you on the same.
Special Advise
- Do not discontinue taking Enclomiphene abruptly or without the advice of the physician.
- Please know that your doctor may order blood tests to check your hormone levels while you are on Enclomiphene.
- Bring any mood swings or mood changes to your doctor’s attention. Please see a mental health care professional if need be.
- Before starting Enclomiphene, speak to your doctor about the risk of multiple pregnancies (twins or triplets) and ectopic pregnancy (where the baby grows outside the uterus).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Female Infertility: Female infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant despite frequent unprotected sex for one year at least (or 6 months, if 35 years of age). Age, weight, hormones and other organic causes are usually responsible for infertility. However, infertility is mostly a treatable condition.
FAQs
Enclomiphene is used to treat Female Infertility.
Enclomiphene contains Enclomiphene, which belongs to a group of medicines called ovulation stimulants. It works by stimulating the release of eggs from the ovary (ovulation).
Enclomiphene is not recommended for those suffering from liver disease. Keep your doctor informed in case of a history of liver disease.
While Enclomiphene does regulate your menstrual cycles, it is not routinely indicated in the treatment of heavy periods (menorrhagia). Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Infertility can be due to various root causes. While Enclomiphene definitely helps improve pregnancy rates by stimulating ovulation, it is best to consult your gynaecologist for concerns around fertility and conception.
Those with a history of cancer (especially hormone-related or breast cancer) need to exercise caution before using Enclomiphene. Please consult your doctor for further concerns and inform them of your entire medical history.
Enclomiphene may cause common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, heavy bleeding at the initial stage, weight gain and headaches. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if these side effects persist or worsen.
Take Enclomiphene exactly as directed by the physician. Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew or break it.
You will most likely ovulate within 5-10 days after taking Enclomiphene. To improve the chance of becoming pregnant, you should have sex while you are ovulating.
It is not recommended to take Enclomiphene for more than 3 treatment cycles. If you do not get pregnant even after 3 treatment cycles, the doctor might your condition further and advise accordingly.
