Gonal-F vs. Clomid

• Are Gonal-F and Clomid the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Gonal-F?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Clomid?
• What Is Gonal-F?
• What Is Clomid?
• What Drugs Interact with Gonal-F?
• What Drugs Interact with Clomid?
• How Should Gonal-F Be Taken?
• How Should Clomid Be Taken?

Gonal-F (follitropin alfa) and Clomid (clomiphene citrate) are used to treat infertility in women.

Gonal-F is also used to stimulate the development of multiple eggs for in vitro fertilization. Gonal-F can be used by men to increase the production of sperm.

Gonal-F and Clomid belong to different drug classes. Gonal-F is a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Clomid is an ovulatory stimulant.

Side effects of Gonal-F and Clomid that are similar include headache, nausea, vomiting, pelvic pain or tenderness, stomach/abdominal pain, and breast swelling/tenderness/pain.

Side effects of Gonal-F that are different from Clomid include bloating, injection site reactions (redness, pain, bruising, irritation), numbness or tingly feeling, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, acne, or skin rash.

Side effects of Clomid that are different from Gonal-F include abnormal vaginal/uterine bleeding, diarrhea, flushing, and blurred vision or other visual disturbances. Clomid may also cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Symptoms include ovarian enlargement, severe GI symptoms, abdominal swelling, shortness of breath, pleural effusions, decreased urination. Seek medical care if these symptoms develop.

Both Gonal-F and Clomid may interact with other drugs.

Common side effects of Gonal-F include:

• headache,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• mild stomach/abdominal pain,
• pelvic pain or tenderness,
• bloating,
• injection site reactions (redness, pain, bruising, irritation),
• breast swelling/tenderness/pain,
• numbness or tingly feeling,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• sore throat,
• acne, or
• skin rash.

Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Gonal-F including:

• unusual bleeding from the vagina/uterus,
• pain/redness/swelling of the calf muscles,
• cold/numb/pale skin of the arms/legs/hands/feet, or
• swelling of ankles/hands/feet.

Common side effects of Clomid include:

• abnormal vaginal/uterine bleeding,
• breast tenderness or discomfort,
• headache,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• flushing,
• blurred vision or other visual disturbances, or
• ovarian enlargement presenting as abdominal or pelvic pain, tenderness, pressure, or swelling.
• Clomid may increase the likelihood of multiple births.
• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) may occur: ovarian enlargement, severe GI symptoms, abdominal swelling, shortness of breath, pleural effusions, decreased urination. Seek medical care if these symptoms develop.

Gonal-F (follitropin alfa) Injection is a naturally occurring hormone used to stimulate a follicle (egg) to develop and mature. Gonal-F is used when a woman desires pregnancy and her ovaries can produce a follicle but hormonal stimulation is not sufficient to make the follicle mature. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is also used to stimulate the development of multiple eggs for in vitro fertilization. FSH can be used by men to increase the production of sperm.

Clomid (clomiphene citrate) is a nonsteroidal, ovulatory stimulant used to treat ovulatory dysfunction and polycystic ovary syndrome in women who, after other reasons for pregnancy failure have been ruled out, desire pregnancy and follow additional instructions that make pregnancy more likely to occur with this drug use (see below about dosage and use). In addition, these women and their sperm donors usually need to undergo a number of tests scheduled by their OB-GYN doctor before Clomid is started.

It is not known if other medications will interact with Gonal-F. Tell doctor all prescription or over-the-counter medicines and supplements you use. Gonal-F must not be used during pregnancy. Stop using Gonal-F when you become pregnant. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of possible harm to a nursing infant, consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Clomid may interact with other drugs.

The recommended starting dose of Gonal-F Tablets is 30 mg (given as a single 30 mg tablet or as 1/2 of a 60 mg tablet) or 60 mg (given as a single tablet) once daily. After several days, the dosage may be increased to 120 mg (given as a single 120 mg tablet or as two 60 mg tablets) once daily.

Clomid is available in 50 mg tablets. Treatment of the selected patient should begin with a low dose, 50 mg daily (1 tablet) for 5 days; dose changes are made by the treating physician. The first dose should occur on the 5th day of the female's ovulatory cycle and then subsequent doses at about the same time of day for a total of 5 days. Patients should be familiar with their ovulatory cycle so that properly timed coitus and ovulation stimulated by the drug occur. Long term therapy (past 6 cycles) is not recommended to avoid possible increases in cancer risk. Clomid may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.