Published: 2 September 2015

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Clomifene and Risk of Stroke

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Prescriber Update 36(3): 41
September 2015

 

The Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM) recently received a report of ischaemic stroke in a patient taking clomifene. The patient was not reported to be taking any other medicines at the time of the stroke.

Clomifene (clomiphene) is a medicine used to induce ovulation in anovulatory women. It is indicated for the treatment of ovulatory failure in women desiring pregnancy¹. The ovulatory response to cyclic clomifene occurs through increased output of pituitary gonadotrophins stimulating the release of eggs from the ovaries².

Patients should be advised to stop taking clomifene and seek emergency treatment if they experience numbness, weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, slurred speech, sudden blurred vision, confusion or unsteadiness — these could be signs of a stroke³.

Please continue to report any adverse reactions to medicines, including clomifene, to CARM. Reports may be submitted on paper or electronically (https://nzphvc.otago.ac.nz/).

References

1. Healthcare Logistics. 2015. Serophene Data Sheet. 26 June 2015. URL: www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/datasheet/s/serophenetab.pdf (accessed 27 July 2015).
2. Sanofi. 2014. Clomid Summary of Product Characteristics. 19 August 2014. URL: www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/820 (accessed 14 July 2015).
3. Sanofi. 2013. Clomid Patient Information Leaflet. August 2013. URL: www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/3070 (accessed 14 July 2015).