Fertomid

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Fertomid

Property Description
Active ingredient Clomifene citrate
Form Oral tablet
Pharmacological class Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM)
Common use Inducing ovulation (egg release)
Origin Synthetic, non-steroidal compound

What Type of Medicine is Fertomid? (Identity and Classification)

Fertomid is a trade preparation containing the active ingredient Clomifene citrate (INN: Clomifene). This medicine is classified as a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM), a class of drugs that selectively interact with estrogen receptors throughout the body. The compound is a synthetic, non-steroidal molecule, lacking the typical chemical structure of natural hormones. Clomifene is clinically recognized for its ability to modulate the reproductive system via central hormonal feedback, a property documented in pharmacological literature.

Composition and Form: The Oral Fertility Agent

The preparation is consistently provided as an oral tablet for internal administration, representing a key differentiating factor from injectable fertility treatments. Its high-level composition is a single-component product (Clomifene citrate), ensuring therapeutic focus solely on this SERM mechanism. The tablet formulation includes a mixture of two geometric isomers, both contributing to the drug’s dual ability to influence estrogen signaling. This convenient tablet form is the standard and effective route of administration.

What is the General Purpose of Clomifene Citrate?

The general purpose of Clomifene citrate is to serve as an oral ovulation stimulant in the management of female infertility specifically linked to ovulatory dysfunction or anovulation (the absence of regular egg release). The drug has a recognized role in initiating egg release. The medicine works by influencing the brain's hormonal control system to stimulate the natural production of hormones necessary for inducing ovulation.

What side effects are possible with Fertomid?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of clomifene citrate, the active ingredient in Fertomid, is formally documented by regulatory authorities and classified by frequency and affected organ system.


Classification of Adverse Reactions

Adverse effects are categorized based on incidence rates reported in clinical use:

  • Very Common (mathbf> 10%): Reactions reported in the highest percentage of patients include vasomotor flushes (hot flushes) and ovarian enlargement.
  • Common (mathbf1% to mathbf10%): Common events include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal/pelvic discomfort, and breast discomfort.

Official classification groups these effects into System Organ Classes (SOC), such as Reproductive System and Breast Disorders, Eye Disorders, and Gastrointestinal Disorders.


Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Constraints

Specific serious adverse reactions are documented in prescribing information:

  • Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): This condition can be severe and is a major safety consideration for the reproductive system.
  • Visual Disturbances: While usually temporary, cases of prolonged or irreversible visual impairment, including partial or complete blindness, have been reported and are a serious risk.

Safety documents also list constraints tied to a patient’s health status and treatment duration:

  • Hepatic Health: The medicine is contraindicated in patients with a history of liver disease or active hepatic dysfunction.
  • Exposure Limit: There is a documented association between prolonged use (e.g., exceeding six total treatment cycles) and an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
  • Contraindications: Use is restricted in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding of undetermined cause or certain pre-existing ovarian cysts or hormone-dependent tumors.

This structure ensures the risk profile is formally communicated, defining both common occurrences and crucial safety limitations related to duration and specific patient health factors.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

Fertomid (Clomiphene Citrate) overdose is managed with supportive care, as there is no specific antidote available. Patients should strictly adhere to the prescribed dose, as exceeding it increases the risk of an overdose.

Documented Overdose Symptoms

The symptoms associated with a clomiphene citrate overdose primarily involve gastrointestinal, visual, and reproductive system manifestations. These may include:

  • Gastrointestinal: Nausea and vomiting.
  • Visual Disturbances: Blurred vision, spots or flashes of light (scintillating scotomata), and blind spots.
  • Reproductive/Pelvic: Ovarian enlargement, pelvic pain, and abdominal pain.
  • Systemic: Hot flashes.

Emergency Action Required

If an overdose is suspected or any of these symptoms occur after taking the medication, immediate medical attention is required.

Patients or caregivers should immediately:

  1. Seek emergency medical services (e.g., call 911 in the U.S.).
  2. Contact Poison Control (e.g., call 1-800-222-1222 in the U.S.).

In a clinical setting, appropriate supportive measures and gastrointestinal decontamination are employed to manage the condition.

Therapeutic Uses of Fertomid

What Fertomid Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Fertomid (Clomifene Citrate) is commonly used to help with specific fertility challenges. Its therapeutic benefit is centered on addressing symptoms related to systemic imbalance when hormonal issues affect functional stability.


1. Support for Symptomatic Relief in Anovulatory Conditions

This medication is applied in clinical settings marked by the absence of regular ovulation, such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and anovulatory infertility. The primary application involves addressing conditions where symptoms are driven by the absence of regular egg release. It is intended to provide primary therapeutic benefit by supporting the symptomatic relief of infertility and is relevant in conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms related to systemic imbalance.

“This medication is commonly used to help with symptoms associated with anovulation, and is applied in addressing conditions marked by increased discomfort or tension.”

2. Support for Specific Endocrine Fertility Challenges

Fertomid is commonly used across conditions presenting with acute or episodic manifestations where short-term symptomatic assistance is needed. While primarily for female infertility, this medicine may be part of symptomatic management in situations involving certain distressing symptoms, as it may assist with managing symptom clusters that create noticeable physiological strain. It contributes to easing the overall symptom load by supporting functional stability in relevant clinical settings.


Quick Fact: Support for Symptoms Related to Systemic Imbalance

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus overview

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Fertomid (Clomifene Citrate) is a prescription medicine with specific eligibility rules established by government regulatory bodies. Use is formally indicated for adult women desiring pregnancy who have been diagnosed with ovulatory dysfunction.


Who Must Not Use Fertomid (Contraindications)

Official labeling strictly prohibits the use of this medicine in certain populations and conditions:

  • Pregnancy: Use is absolutely contraindicated.
  • Hepatic Status: Patients with active liver disease or a history of liver dysfunction.
  • Reproductive Conditions: Those with abnormal uterine bleeding of undetermined origin or ovarian enlargement/cysts not due to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
  • Endocrine/Intracranial: Individuals with an organic intracranial lesion (e.g., pituitary tumor) or uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction.

Eligibility Status by Population

Population Group Official Eligibility Status
Primary Organ Failure Ineffective (e.g., primary ovarian or pituitary failure).
Pediatric/Adolescent Not applicable to the therapeutic indication.
Geriatric (Older Adults) Use not established; safety and efficacy have not been evaluated.
Uterine Fibroids Requires caution due to the potential for further enlargement.
Lactation Unknown if excreted in human milk; may suppress lactation.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

This section describes interactions formally documented in regulatory prescribing information for Clomifene citrate, the active ingredient in Fertomid.

Interaction Scope and Restrictions

Official regulatory documentation establishes specific prohibitions and required monitoring related to pharmacodynamic effects and patient status.

  • Medicinal Products with Documented Interactions: Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors.
  • Interaction-Related Restrictions: Co-administration with Ospemifene is formally contraindicated due to the potential for pharmacodynamic synergism.
  • Required Monitoring: Co-administration with agents like Benazepril may require close surveillance, as regulatory texts cite a risk of pharmacodynamic synergism that could increase the chance of hypotension.
  • Timing Rules: No mandatory timing or dose separation requirements are documented in the official regulatory labeling.

Population-Specific Constraints

Constraints in the official drug profile apply where a pre-existing condition alters the drug's expected clearance or risk profile.

  • Hepatic Dysfunction: The drug is contraindicated in patients with liver disease or a history of hepatic dysfunction. This is based on the potential for altered drug clearance by the liver, which could lead to increased serum concentration and a prolonged half-life of Clomifene.
  • Hyperlipidemia: For patients with a pre-existing or family history of hyperlipidemia, use is associated with a specific risk of Hypertriglyceridemia. Periodic monitoring of plasma triglycerides is officially required in these cases.
  • Food, Alcohol, and Supplements: No specific interaction with food, alcohol, or herbal products is detailed in the official regulatory documentation.

Mechanism of Action

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulation

The compound functions as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). Its primary mechanism involves the competitive binding to estrogen receptors located within the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. This binding action occupies the receptors without activation, functionally blocking the inhibitory estrogen signal.


Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis Engagement

This antagonism results in the central nervous system's interpretation of reduced circulatory estrogen levels. The consequent removal of negative feedback initiates a neuroendocrine response. The binding of Clomiphene Citrate subsequently modulates the pulsatile secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to induce the release of the gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).


Physiological Consequence: Follicle Development

The resulting surge in gonadotropins facilitates the development of a dominant ovarian follicle. This hormonal cascade drives the maturation process, facilitating the eventual rupture of the mature follicle, which leads to ovum release.

Dosage and Administration Information

Administration Scope: Standard Administration

Fertomid (Clomiphene citrate) is an oral tablet used according to a short-term, cyclical administration protocol. The medicine is taken as a single daily dose and is generally not tied to mealtimes. Proper use requires specific procedural steps and adherence to precise schedules.


Instruction Description
Route of administration Oral (by mouth), as a tablet
Dosing schedule (Adults) Starting Dose: 50 mg once daily for 5 days. Second Course: 100 mg once daily for 5 days, administered only if the patient did not ovulate after the initial course.
Frequency and Schedule Once daily for a fixed 5-day course; treatment is time-locked to the menstrual cycle.
Population-Specific Rules Use is restricted to patients with normal liver function. A lower dosage or shorter duration may be considered for patients with suspected unusual sensitivity, such as those with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

Resulting Procedural Structure

The treatment protocol structures the administration around the menstrual cycle to ensure proper timing. The 5-day course is typically started on or about the fifth day of the cycle if uterine bleeding occurs spontaneously or is induced. If there has been no recent uterine bleeding, the first course may be started at any time. Subsequent courses must be separated by a minimum of 30 days and require the exclusion of pregnancy prior to initiation. Long-term cyclic therapy is not typically recommended beyond a total of approximately six courses over a patient’s lifetime. This defined protocol outlines the medicine's use as a distinct, intermittent treatment approach.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Fertomid (Clomifene Citrate)


Evidence for Anovulatory and Oligo-ovulatory Infertility

The most comprehensive research base for clomifene citrate was developed in the context of women experiencing infertility due to the absence of regular egg release (anovulation or oligo-ovulation). The majority of this evidence was concentrated on conditions characterized by functional limitations related to the menstrual cycle, such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). The evidence for this indication includes a large number of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), which are considered a primary form of clinical evidence, along with extensive Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses.

These studies research examined various outcomes, primarily monitoring the ovulation rate and, crucially, the resulting clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate (LBR). Findings describe patterns observed in the studies where researchers monitored outcomes related to ovarian response and the ovulation rate in participants compared to control groups. However, long-term outcomes are not well characterized, and unresolved factors beyond just inducing egg release remain uncertain in the evidence.


Studies Investigating Specific Endocrine Anovulatory Syndromes

Research examined clomifene citrate in specific, less common endocrine anovulatory syndromes that involve temporary physiological imbalance. This research is generally based on smaller-scale clinical investigations referenced in regulatory summaries. These studies explored short-term symptom changes and primarily monitored the rate of ovulation and the rate of menstrual cycle return.

For these specific conditions, comparative evidence is lacking against current treatment standards, and the volume of Randomized Controlled Trial evidence is significantly smaller than the research base for general anovulation in PCOS.


Evidence Gaps and Areas of Research Uncertainty

Research has explored the durability of the response and outcomes over extended durations. Data show patterns related to tracking participants for the duration of their treatment (usually a maximum of six cycles), but there is limited information for long-term outcomes tracking the health and reproductive results of women many years after they were observed in studies.

Additionally, data for certain groups remain insufficient. Research is ongoing to address the phenomenon of non-response, particularly to explore why certain study participants were not observed to have a measurable change in the studied outcomes.

Key Studies & References Clomiphene (Oral Route) - MedlinePlus Drug Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Fertomid (FAQ)

Q: Is it normal to feel bloated while taking Fertomid?

According to official product information, abdominal distension, pelvic discomfort, and bloating are formally documented as common side effects reported by patients using this medicine. These effects are related to the way the medication influences the reproductive system.

Q: Is weight gain a common side effect reported with Fertomid?

Weight gain is not categorized as a common side effect in official documents. However, it has been reported infrequently and is also reported in connection with the more serious condition, Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS).

Q: Can Fertomid cause headaches or vision changes?

Headache is formally documented in regulatory documents as a common side effect of the medicine. Visual disturbances, which can include blurring or seeing spots, are also reported and may be prolonged or irreversible in rare cases. Official guidance notes that visual changes should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Q: Is there a link between Fertomid and mood swings?

Regulatory documents list psychiatric effects such as mood changes, nervous tension, and depression among the reported adverse events. While not categorized as common, these effects reflect the medicine's hormonal influence.

Q: Does Fertomid interact with common over-the-counter pain relievers?

Official regulatory documentation does not detail any specific interaction between this medicine and common over-the-counter pain relievers.

Q: Are there any official warnings about taking Fertomid if I have a history of cysts?

The medicine is contraindicated, or advised against, for patients with ovarian enlargement or cysts not related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Official guidance mandates that a pelvic examination is necessary prior to each course of treatment. This examination is a required procedural step to confirm the current status of the ovaries.

Q: What are the signs of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) related to Fertomid?

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is a documented, serious safety concern. The early warning signs that have been reported include abdominal pain, abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid weight gain, and decreased urine output.

Q: Are there any common reasons why Fertomid might not work for someone?

According to regulatory indications, the medicine is considered ineffective for patients whose infertility is due to primary ovarian failure or primary pituitary failure. These are recognized conditions where the medication's mechanism of action is not expected to be effective.

Q: How quickly does Fertomid start to work after I begin taking it?

The medicine works by influencing the body to release hormones necessary for egg maturation. Official sources state that ovulation, or egg release, typically occurs between 5 and 10 days after the final tablet is taken in the 5-day course.

Q: Do I need to take Fertomid at a specific time of day?

Regulatory-aligned patient guidance often advises taking the daily dose at approximately the same time each day. This approach is described as supporting consistent administration throughout the treatment cycle.

Q: What should I do if I miss a day of taking Fertomid?

Official information advises taking a missed dose as soon as it is remembered. However, official documentation states that a double dose should not be taken to compensate. Further information regarding the next dose is often required from a healthcare provider if it is almost due.

Q: Are there any foods or drinks I should avoid while on Fertomid?

Official regulatory documentation does not detail any specific interaction with food or alcohol that would require avoidance during the course of treatment.

Q: What happens to the body when Fertomid is stopped?

Studies describe the active ingredient as clearing the body fast. Adverse effects, such as temporary ovarian enlargement, typically regress spontaneously within a few days or weeks after discontinuing the course of treatment.

Q: Is Fertomid used to treat any other conditions besides female infertility?

While the medicine is officially indicated for treating ovulatory dysfunction in women, some regulatory summaries also cite its use for the induction of sperm production, or spermatogenesis, in men.

Q: What are the long-term effects of using Fertomid, according to studies?

Regulatory documents include a warning about long-term exposure. A documented association exists between prolonged use, such as exceeding six total treatment cycles, and an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Q: Can I take vitamins or herbal supplements while using Fertomid?

Official regulatory documentation does not detail any specific interaction with common vitamins or herbal products. Official documents describe the importance of notifying a healthcare provider of all substances being taken.

Q: How long do the side effects of Fertomid usually last?

The documented side effects generally disappear when therapy is completed. However, some specific conditions, like certain visual disturbances or ovarian enlargement, may require a longer period of resolution after the medicine is stopped.

Q: Does taking Fertomid require constant monitoring by a healthcare provider?

Official guidance mandates that a pelvic examination is necessary prior to starting the first course of treatment and before each subsequent course. This required procedural step is detailed for the purposes of confirming the patient's ovarian status before each course.

Q: What is the official recommended use for Fertomid?

The medicine is officially indicated for the treatment of ovulatory dysfunction in adult women desiring pregnancy. It is intended for use in carefully selected patients.

Q: Can taking Fertomid affect my sleep?

Insomnia, or trouble sleeping, has been reported as an adverse event in postmarketing reports associated with the use of the medicine.

Q: Does Fertomid interact with caffeine or nicotine?

Official regulatory documentation does not detail any specific interaction with caffeine or nicotine.

Q: Are there specific instructions for storing Fertomid at home?

Official storage instructions require that the tablets be kept at controlled room temperature, away from moisture, excessive heat, and light. It must be stored in the original container and kept out of the reach of children.

Q: Can the effectiveness of Fertomid be tracked with at-home tests?

Regulatory-aligned patient guidance often mentions tracking the body’s response using methods like at-home ovulation prediction kits. These tests check for the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, which indicates that the body is preparing for ovulation after taking the medicine.

Q: Does Fertomid have any known effects on cholesterol levels?

Regulatory documents list hypertriglyceridemia (elevated levels of triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood) in the postmarketing reports of adverse reactions.

How should Fertomid be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Fertomid

Fertomid (clomiphene citrate) must be stored according to regulatory specifications to ensure product stability and safety.

Official Storage Requirements

Condition Requirement
Temperature Store at controlled room temperature, generally between 15 C and 30 C (59 F and 86 F).
Protection Keep the tablets protected from light, moisture, and excessive heat. Do not freeze.
Container Store in the original, closed container to maintain integrity.
Safety The medicine must be kept out of the sight and reach of children.

Official Disposal Instructions

Unused or expired Fertomid should be disposed of via an authorized drug take-back program. If a take-back program is unavailable, the tablets must be mixed with an unappealing substance, sealed in a bag, and discarded in the household trash, following regulatory guidance for non-flushable medicines.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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