clomiphene

Clomiphene (also known as clomifene) is a nonsteroidal, orally administered selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used primarily to induce ovulation in women with infertility due to anovulation, such as those with polycystic ovary syndrome. It acts by binding to estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus and pituitary, blocking negative feedback of endogenous estrogens and thereby increasing the release of gonadotropins (FSH and LH), which stimulate follicular development and ovulation. The drug consists of two geometric isomers—zuclomiphene (cis) and enclomiphene (trans)—with mixed estrogen agonist/antagonist effects. Besides female infertility, it is sometimes used off-label for male infertility, menstrual abnormalities, fibrocystic breast disease, persistent lactation, and hypogonadism in men[1][2][3][4][5][7].

Brand names

ClomidSeropheneMilopheneClomeFertylFetropFissionClopregMephyClofertOmiciteClophene

Other names

clomifene