How does Serophene work?

Serophene or clomifene citrate stimulates the pre-ovalutary function and rupture of follicles in women's uterus, which lead to increased level of pituitary gonadotropin. This increased pituitary gonadotropin which stimulates the steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis. Steroidogenesis is responsible for the formation of steroids and folliculogenesis is responsible for the maturation of ovarian follicles. These two processes are very necessary for the formation of egg.

Serophene works by stopping the estrogen receptor in the hypothalamus which inhibits the negative activity of estrogen on gonadotropin release. This increases the regulation of hypothalamic pituitary gonadotropin axis. The hypothalamic pituitary gonadotropin axis means the influence of hypothalamus, pituitary gland and gonads, which is essential for reproduction. Serophene stops the effects of estrogen hormone, causing the increased production of the most important hormone LH(luteinising hormone) and FSH(follicle stimulating hormone), that are responsible for the egg formation and maturation. This whole process is responsible for the normal reproductive procedure.

Indication of Serophene:

Serophene can be used in the patient in the following catagories:

• In patients, who are not pregnant.
• Who has no ovarian cyst.
• Who has no history of any abnormal menstrual and vaginal bleeding.
• Serophene is used in the patient who has no liver disease, thyroid problem or adrenal gland problem.
• It can be used in ovarian failure.

Always use serophene according to your doctor's instructions to avoid the complications. There is no data found for using Serophene in men's infertility. But it is very effective for the off-lebel treatment of secondary male hypogonadism.

Contraindications of Serophene:

Serophene cannot be used in the following conditions, such as:

• Who is allergic to clomifene citrate and the other components of Serophene.
• Always avoid this medicine in pregnancy.
• Who has hormone related tumour.
• Who has abnormal vaginal bleeding.
• Serophene should be avoided in the patient who has a fibroid tumour.
• Serophene cannot be used in the patient who has any liver disease.

Doses and method of Serophene:

• This medicine is available in strength of 50mg.
• Serophene should be used only once in a day, for 5 days.
• You can increase the dose up to the strength of 100mg.
• Dose should always be started at the 5^th day of the cycle (menstruation).
• It is advised to stop taking the drug if three ovuatory periods is seen and pregnancy does not happen.
• Strength of this medicine should be increased up to 100 mg only for five days if required, but it should be started 30days after the previous therapy. 
• It should be administered by oral intake.

What are the Side effects of Serophene:

Although side effects of Serophene are not very common, but sometime it can cause the following problems:

• Eye problem:

It may cause some problems in your eyes. You should always stop taking this medicine if you catch the symptoms like blurred vision, seeing spots, vision changes or eye pain.

• Cardiovascular problem:

Since clomifene citrate is the active ingredient of Serophene, it has the tendency to affect on the cardiovascular system like chest pain, hypertension, shortness of breath, palpitation, inflammation of the cardiac vein or edema.

• Skin problem:

Clomifene citrate may cause some problems on the skin like allergic reaction, urticaria, pruritis, erythema multiforma.

Central nervous system problem:

This medicine may lead to some central nervous system problems like migraine, convulsion, heart failure, severe headache, loss of consciousness etc.

Developmental abnormalities in fetus:

This medicine may lead to many complications to the unborn baby if it is taken in pregnancy.

Some of the complications are:

• This medicine may cause cardiac anomalies like defect in the valves, cardiac muscles, cardiac       vessels etc.
• This medicine can also cause deafness in the fetus.
• This medicine may lead to some problems in bone during the developmental period of the fetus like defect in the joints, bone, face, cleft palate and lips.
• Serophene can cause anomalies in the lung, kidney, eye or ear.
• This medicine can also lead some tumors like problem such as leukemic leukomia, tumor of the thyroid gland.

Genito-urinary problem:

Serophene does not cause any genito-urinary problem. But sometime you may catch some   complications like ovarian cyst, uterine bleeding, tubal pregnancy etc. 

Musculoskeletal problem:

Serophene may affect on your muscles and bones like bone pain, muscle pain etc. These problems subside once you stop using the drug.

Other problem:

You may develop some minor symptoms like abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, anxiety, mood changes, diarrhea or flushing. These problems go itself, if you stop using this medicine.

Storage of Serophene:

This medicine should be stored in a tight container which is light resistant, between the temperatures of 10-30 degree. Always throw out the expired medicines and it should be kept out of the reach of children. 

What are the Precaution and warning associated with Serophene:

It cannot be used in all the patients. Care should be taken while selecting the patient for the treatment of Serophene. The physician should always do a pre-check-up in the pelvic region before starting the treatment with Serophene. However, you can follow the precautions, such as:

• It is not used in pregnancy, because it can cause complications for the fetus.
• You should discontinue Serophene if you feel any pain in your pelvic area, because it may be a symptom of developing ovarian cyst.
• Consult with your physician if you catch any eye problem like pain in the eyes, sensitivity to light or other problems.
• Always inform your doctor if you notice color changes on your skin or in the eyes, because Serophene may cause increased secretion of bile juice which can lead to jaundice.
• Always talk to your doctor if you catch any ovarian hyperstimulation syndrom with the symptoms like nausea, vomiting or oligourea, because Serophene has a potential to cause this syndrom.
• Serophene should be avoided in the pregnancy and lactating women.
• Always be cautious if you are suffering from any uterine problems.