Profertil - The drug that stimulates the development of follicles

Article written by Pharmacist Pham Thi Kim Dung - Faculty of Pharmacy - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Profertil is a drug whose main active ingredient is Clomiphene Citrate. To be used according to the following prescriptions of the doctor.

Treatment of infertility in women with amenorrhea. Stein-Leventhal syndrome or functional uterine bleeding due to ovulation disorders. Stimulation of spermatogenesis in men with low sperm count infertility.

Clomiphene citrate drug competes with the body's estrogen hormone in a number of organs such as hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries, endometrium, vagina, cervix and slows down the effects of endogenous estrogen. From there, a series of endocrine reactions is initiated, the first of which is an increase in the release of gonadotropins (LH and FSH) from the pituitary gland, causing the formation and development of ovarian follicles. Clomiphene citrate increases LH, FSH and testosterone levels in both normal and low sperm count men. There is no evidence that Profertil has an effect on the effects of other hormones, either progesterone or androgenic. Therefore, the drug is beneficial for the treatment of infertility in women with impaired ovulation or in men with low sperm count.

Patients with impaired liver function. Pregnant women or ovarian cysts. Patients with dysfunction of the pituitary gland, ovaries or other sexual organs.

Excessive enlargement of the ovaries and the formation of ovarian cysts when taking high doses of 100-200mg daily for 2-3 weeks. When reducing the dose to 50mg per day will limit this undesirable effect and do not affect the therapeutic effect. Other undesirable effects may be encountered: Hot flushes, digestive disorders, skin erythema in patients sensitive to the drug. Or maybe blurred vision, headaches, insomnia. The drug can cause visual disturbances, so do not drive or operate machinery while taking this medicine. Because there are not enough data to prove the drug is safe for pregnant women and breast-feeding. Each course of clomiphene therapy should be initiated only after it is ascertained that the patient is not pregnant. Do not use the drug for women who are breastfeeding.

Treatment of infertility due to non-ovulatory 1 tablet / day x 5 days, starting from the 5th day of the menstrual cycle or any day if the patient amenorrhea.
Ovulation usually occurs within 6-10 days after the last dose of Profertil. If ovulation does not occur after the first course of treatment, the dose may be continued at 1 tablet/day for 5 days. If there is no pregnancy after 6 courses of treatment, there is usually little success.
Treatment of men with low sperm count Dose 1 tablet / day x 40 - 90 days. Sperm count may increase within 4-5 weeks of starting treatment.

Reference material:
Profertility leaflet of NSX DailyMed: monograph: CLOMIPHENE CITRATE tablet Micromedex: monograph Clomiphene