Buy Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) — Online Prescription
Clomid (clomiphene citrate) is the oldest and most widely used fertility pill. It helps people who don't ovulate regularly release an egg. This guide covers how to take it by cycle day, how to tell it's working, and the real pregnancy and twin rates from FDA data. It also compares Clomid with letrozole head to head, explains why some men are prescribed it, and lists what a cycle costs.
Medically reviewed Medically reviewed by Jill St. Germain, PharmD — NPI 1356626378 · Last updated 2026-10-01
| Active ingredient | Clomiphene citrate |
|---|---|
| Dosage form | Tablet, 50 mg (scored) |
| Administration route | Oral |
Indications: INDICATIONS AND USAGE Clomiphene citrate is indicated for the treatment of ovulatory dysfunction in women desiring pregnancy. Impediments to achieving pregnancy must be excluded or adequately treated before beginning clomiphene citrate therapy. Those patients most likely to achieve success with clomiphene therapy include patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (see WARNINGS : Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ), amenorrhea-galactorrhea syndrome, psychogenic amenorrhea, post-oral-contraceptive am…
Contraindications: CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity Clomiphene citrate is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity or allergy to clomiphene citrate or to any of its ingredients. Pregnancy Clomiphene citrate use in pregnant women is contraindicated, as clomiphene citrate does not offer benefit in this population. Available human data do not suggest an increased risk for congenital anomalies above the background population risk when used as indicated. However, animal reproductive toxicology studie…
openFDA label data — Updated 2026-10-01Clomid (generic: clomiphene citrate) is a prescription fertility pill that triggers ovulation in women who don't ovulate regularly, especially with PCOS. The usual start is 50 mg a day for 5 days, starting around cycle day 3–5. Ovulation typically follows 5–10 days after the last pill. About 30% of patients in FDA trials became pregnant, and about 1 in 13 of those pregnancies were twins or more. For PCOS, letrozole now beats Clomid on live births in head-to-head trials. Urologists also prescribe Clomid off-label for men with low testosterone. A 5-day generic cycle is inexpensive, and we can fill your prescription today.
What Clomid is and who it's for
Clomiphene citrate was first approved in the 1960s and is still the most familiar first step in fertility treatment, because it's a pill, it's inexpensive, and it needs little monitoring compared with injectable hormones. Brand-name Clomid is still made, now by Cosette Pharmaceuticals. Several FDA-approved generic clomiphene citrate 50 mg tablets are also available. Older brand names you may see include Serophene and Milophene.
The FDA label is specific about who it's for:
- Ovulatory dysfunction in women who want to conceive. Best results are in PCOS, amenorrhea-galactorrhea syndrome, missed periods after stopping birth control, and some unexplained secondary amenorrhea.
- Other causes ruled out or treated first. These include thyroid and adrenal disorders, high prolactin, blocked tubes and male-factor infertility. Clomid can't fix those.
- Exam before each course. The label calls for a pelvic exam before the first and every later course, to rule out pregnancy, ovarian cysts and enlargement.
- Off-label but common: stimulation for unexplained infertility (often with IUI), and testosterone support in men (see below).
How Clomid triggers ovulation
The same mechanism explains the downsides. Its anti-estrogen effect can thin the uterine lining and cervical mucus in some women. Stimulating more than one follicle is why twins are more common.
How to take Clomid: a cycle-day guide
This is the typical schedule for a 50 mg starting course. Your prescriber's instructions come first, especially the start day.
Period starts (or a progestin-induced bleed if you don't have periods). Call your prescriber's office if they asked you to report day 1.
Take 1 tablet (50 mg) daily for 5 days, at about the same time each day, with or without food. The label specifies a start on or about day 5. Many clinics use day 3.
Ovulation window: 5–10 days after the last pill. Use LH ovulation strips, and have intercourse every 1–2 days, or time your IUI as scheduled.
Confirm ovulation: a progesterone blood test about 7 days after expected ovulation (or ultrasound tracking, if your clinic monitors)
Pregnancy test if your period hasn't come. Pregnancy must be ruled out before any next course.
If you don't ovulate, the label's step-up is simple and capped:
50 mg × 5 days
- Most people who will respond to Clomid ovulate on the first course
- If you ovulate, stay at 50 mg. Higher doses add no benefit.
100 mg × 5 days
- Two tablets taken together once daily
- Can start as early as 30 days after the previous course, once pregnancy is ruled out
- The label doesn't recommend going above 100 mg/day or beyond 5 days
Stop and reassess
- No ovulation after 3 courses
- 3 ovulatory cycles without pregnancy
- About 6 cycles total is the label's ceiling
Missed a tablet? Take it as soon as you remember that day. If it's already the next day, don't double up without checking. Call us or your prescriber, because whether to extend the course depends on your clinic's protocol.
Signs Clomid is working
There's no reliable "feeling" that Clomid is working, but there are clear tests that confirm ovulation:
Hot flashes and bloating show the drug is active, but they don't prove you ovulated. A negative LH test can also mean you tested at the wrong time, which is why many clinics rely on the progesterone test.
Success rates and the odds of twins
From the FDA's clinical program (7,578 patients): about 30% became pregnant. Among pregnancies with known outcomes, the multiple-pregnancy rate was 7.98%:
Source: Clomid FDA prescribing information, Clinical Studies. About 1 in 5 twin pairs were identical. In the trials, 20.4% of pregnancies ended in miscarriage, which the label notes is not above the general population rate.
About 1 in 13 Clomid pregnancies in FDA trials involved more than one baby. That's the trade-off for the drug's main strength: it often matures more than one follicle.
"Best days to take Clomid for twins" is one of the most searched questions about this drug. The honest answer is that no start day or dose reliably produces twins. Pushing the dose mostly raises the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation and of triplets or more. Twin pregnancies carry higher risks of preterm birth, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, which is why fertility specialists aim for one healthy pregnancy.
Clomid vs. letrozole (Femara)
Letrozole is a breast cancer drug (an aromatase inhibitor) that triggers ovulation by lowering estrogen instead of blocking its receptors. Its fertility use is off-label but very common. Two big NEJM trials shape the choice:
Bars scaled to 33.8%. PCOS trial: letrozole also gave higher cumulative ovulation (61.7% vs. 48.3%) and fewer twins (3% vs. 7%). AMIGOS: letrozole's lower live-birth rate was statistically significant only against injectable gonadotropins, not clomiphene.
Clomid (clomiphene)
- How it works
- Blocks estrogen receptors in the brain
- Strongest case
- Unexplained infertility with IUI, and patients who respond well already
- Drawbacks
- Lingers in the body for weeks. Can thin the uterine lining and mucus. More twins.
- Typical dose
- 50–100 mg daily × 5 days
Letrozole (Femara)
- How it works
- Lowers estrogen production for a few days
- Strongest case
- PCOS. The 2023 international PCOS guideline recommends it first-line.
- Drawbacks
- Off-label for fertility. Fatigue and dizziness are common.
- Typical dose
- 2.5–7.5 mg daily × 5 days
Bottom line: if you have PCOS and haven't tried letrozole, ask your prescriber about it. If you're doing IUI for unexplained infertility, or Clomid has already worked for you, there's good evidence to stay with it. We fill both.
Side effects and warning signs
Clomid is generally well tolerated, and most side effects fade after the 5-day course. These are the FDA trial rates (8,029 patients):
Source: Clomid FDA prescribing information, Table 2. Under 1%: mood changes, insomnia, dizziness, fatigue, hair thinning, weight gain or loss.
Expected
- Hot flashes during the 5 pill days
- Mild bloating or one-sided pelvic twinges around ovulation
- Breast tenderness, headache
- Mood swings or irritability (sometimes called "Clomid rage")
Visual symptoms
- Blurring, spots, flashes or lingering after-images, often worse in bright light
- The label says to stop Clomid and get a full eye exam. Rarely, changes have been prolonged or permanent.
- Be careful driving, especially at night
Ovarian hyperstimulation
- Severe abdominal pain or swelling
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Rapid weight gain, less urination, shortness of breath
- It can progress within 24 hours. Get same-day care.
Who shouldn't take Clomid
- Pregnancy. It offers no benefit once you're pregnant, so rule out pregnancy before every course.
- Ovarian cysts or enlargement not due to PCOS
- Liver disease or a history of liver dysfunction
- Abnormal uterine bleeding that hasn't been diagnosed
- Uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal disease, or a pituitary tumor or other brain lesion
- Use with caution: high triglycerides or a family history of them (the label recommends a baseline triglyceride check), uterine fibroids, and a history of visual problems
The label documents no drug interactions for clomiphene. Still tell your prescriber and pharmacist about everything you take, including metformin, which is often used alongside Clomid in PCOS.
Clomid for men: testosterone and fertility
"Clomid for men" is searched almost as often as Clomid for fertility. The use is off-label, but it rests on a real mechanism and published data:
Raises your own testosterone
- Mechanism
- Blocks estrogen feedback at the brain. LH and FSH rise, so the testes make more testosterone and sperm.
- The key advantage
- Unlike testosterone therapy, it doesn't shut down sperm production. The AUA guideline lists SERMs such as clomiphene as an option for men with low T who want to stay fertile.
- Evidence
- In 46 men, average testosterone rose from 228 to 612 ng/dL at 1 year and stayed in that range through 3 years (Moskovic 2012)
Limits and risks
- Not FDA-approved for men
- The label says there are no adequate studies showing it treats male infertility
- Side effects
- Breast enlargement, mood changes, visual symptoms. The label notes rare reports of testicular tumors, cause unknown.
- Dosing
- Studies typically used 25 mg daily or 25–50 mg every other day, adjusted by blood tests. Your prescriber sets yours.
- Monitoring
- Testosterone, estradiol and blood counts. Report any vision changes right away.
Enclomiphene vs. Clomid: each Clomid tablet is a mix of two isomers, enclomiphene (the testosterone-raising "trans" form) and zuclomiphene (the "cis" form, which lingers for weeks and is mildly estrogenic). Telehealth companies now sell enclomiphene alone through compounding pharmacies. It is not an FDA-approved drug, a branded version was turned down by the FDA, and compounded products aren't FDA-reviewed for quality or effectiveness. Generic clomiphene is FDA-approved and inexpensive, and that's what we dispense.
Clomiphene is banned in sport at all times (WADA Prohibited List, class S4). We fill clomiphene only on a valid prescription from a prescriber who is monitoring you. If you're coming off anabolic steroids, a urologist or endocrinologist can check your hormone levels and fertility and treat you safely.
Buy Clomid: prescription, insurance and price
- A prescription is required. It can come from your OB-GYN, a reproductive endocrinologist, a urologist, or a licensed telehealth fertility service. They send it to us electronically, or you can transfer an existing one.
- Generic is the smart buy. Generic clomiphene is the same medicine as brand Clomid. Pharmacies pay about $4 per generic tablet at wholesale (live CMS figure below), so a 5-tablet cycle costs little even in cash.
- Connecticut fertility coverage. State law (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 38a-536) requires fully insured health plans to cover infertility diagnosis and treatment, including ovulation induction. Plans may cap ovulation induction at 4 lifetime cycles. Self-funded employer plans are exempt, so ask us to run your plan before paying cash.
- Time-sensitive fills. Clomid has to start on a specific cycle day. Call ahead on day 1 or 2 and we'll have it ready, or use our free next-day delivery in the greater Hartford area. Next-cycle refills can be requested online.
- We also fill the rest of your protocol: letrozole, metformin, progesterone and the ovulation-trigger prescriptions your clinic uses.
Call (860) 522-9289 to check your insurance coverage, get a cash quote for generic clomiphene, or transfer a prescription. Our pharmacists can walk you through your cycle-day schedule and tell you which side effects mean you should call your clinic.
No active shortage reported — No shortage records found for this generic name.
FDA openFDA — Updated 2026-10-02National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC): $4.205 per tablet (CLOMIPHENE CITRATE 50 MG TAB). This is the average price pharmacies pay wholesalers — not your out-of-pocket cost — published by CMS for pricing transparency.
CMS NADAC — Updated 2026-10-02Clomid (Clomiphene) Prices in the USA
| Dosage | Brand-name avg. price | Generic avg. price |
|---|---|---|
| 50 mg × 5 tablets (one cycle at 50 mg/day) | $30–80 (Clomid) | $15–60 |
| 50 mg × 10 tablets (one cycle at 100 mg/day) | $55–140 (Clomid) | $25–80 |
| 50 mg × 30 tablets | $156–300 (Clomid) | $40–150 |
Frequently asked questions
What is Clomid used for?
Clomid (clomiphene citrate) is FDA-approved to treat ovulatory dysfunction in women who want to become pregnant, meaning women who ovulate rarely or not at all. It works best in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and some other causes of missed periods. Prescribers also use it off-label with intrauterine insemination (IUI) for unexplained infertility, and in men to raise low testosterone while preserving fertility. It is not FDA-approved for any use in men.
How do I take Clomid?
The FDA label starts with 50 mg (one tablet) a day for 5 days, beginning on or about day 5 of your cycle. Many prescribers use days 3–7 or 5–9. If you have no periods, your prescriber may start any time after ruling out pregnancy, or first bring on a bleed with a progestin. Ovulation usually happens 5 to 10 days after the last pill, so intercourse every 1–2 days in that window is the usual advice. If you don't ovulate, the next cycle goes up to 100 mg a day for 5 days, which is the label's maximum.
What are the signs that Clomid is working?
The reliable signs are proof of ovulation: a positive ovulation predictor kit (LH surge) about 5–10 days after your last pill, a sustained rise in basal body temperature, a mid-luteal progesterone blood test (often drawn around cycle day 21) in the ovulatory range, or a mature follicle on ultrasound. Twinges of mid-cycle pain or more fertile-quality cervical mucus can happen, but they're not proof. A period about two weeks after ovulation (or a positive pregnancy test) also suggests you ovulated.
What are the chances of getting pregnant on Clomid?
In the FDA clinical program, about 30% of 7,578 patients became pregnant. Most people who will ovulate on Clomid do so in the first course, and the label advises re-evaluation after 3 ovulatory cycles without pregnancy. In the large PCOS trial by Legro and colleagues, 19.1% of women on clomiphene had a live birth over up to five cycles. Results depend heavily on age, the cause of infertility, and sperm and tubal factors.
Does Clomid increase the chance of twins?
Yes. Of the pregnancies in the FDA clinical trials, 7.98% were multiple: 6.9% twins, 0.5% triplets, 0.3% quadruplets and 0.1% quintuplets. In the 2014 PCOS trial, twins occurred in 7% of clomiphene pregnancies vs. 3% with letrozole. There is no safe, reliable way to "take Clomid for twins." Higher doses don't target twins; they raise the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation and higher-order multiples, which carry real risks for both mother and babies.
Is letrozole better than Clomid?
For PCOS, generally yes. In a 750-woman NEJM trial, letrozole produced more live births (27.5% vs. 19.1%) and fewer twins, and the 2023 international PCOS guideline recommends letrozole as the first-line ovulation drug. For unexplained infertility in women who already ovulate, the AMIGOS trial found the opposite trend: 23.3% live births with clomiphene vs. 18.7% with letrozole. Letrozole's fertility use is off-label (it's approved for breast cancer). Your prescriber chooses based on your diagnosis.
What are the side effects of Clomid?
In FDA trials the most common were ovarian enlargement (13.6%), hot flashes (10.4%), abdominal or pelvic discomfort and bloating (5.5%), nausea or vomiting (2.2%), breast discomfort (2.1%), visual symptoms such as blurring or flashes (1.5%), headache (1.3%) and abnormal uterine bleeding (1.3%). Mood changes and irritability are also reported. Stop and call your prescriber for any visual symptoms, and get urgent care for severe abdominal pain, swelling, rapid weight gain or shortness of breath, which can mean ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Does Clomid cause weight gain?
Weight change was reported in fewer than 1% of patients in FDA trials, so meaningful weight gain from Clomid itself is uncommon. Bloating from enlarged ovaries can make you feel heavier during a cycle. Sudden weight gain with abdominal swelling, however, is an early warning sign of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and needs prompt medical attention.
Can I buy Clomid over the counter or online?
No. Clomid and generic clomiphene require a prescription in the US. That's because the label requires a pelvic exam before each course and checks for pregnancy, ovarian cysts and liver disease. A legitimate online route is a telehealth or fertility-clinic prescription sent to a licensed pharmacy like ours. Websites selling clomiphene with no prescription aren't licensed US pharmacies, and you can't verify what they ship.
Why do men take Clomid?
Clomiphene blocks estrogen's feedback signal in the brain, so the pituitary releases more LH and FSH and the testes make more of their own testosterone and sperm. That's why urologists sometimes prescribe it off-label for men with low testosterone who want to keep their fertility, which testosterone therapy suppresses. In one study of 46 men, average testosterone rose from 228 to 612 ng/dL after a year. It is not FDA-approved for men, and the label notes reports of breast enlargement and testicular tumors (cause unknown) in men taking it.
What is the difference between Clomid and enclomiphene?
Clomid is a mix of two mirror-image forms: enclomiphene (the anti-estrogenic "trans" form, 50–70% of the tablet) and zuclomiphene (the "cis" form, which lasts over a month in the body and is mildly estrogenic). Enclomiphene alone is sold by some telehealth companies through compounding pharmacies, but it is not an FDA-approved drug. A branded version was turned down by the FDA, and compounded products aren't FDA-reviewed for safety, effectiveness or quality.
How long does Clomid stay in your system?
Clomiphene is cleared slowly. In the label's studies, radioactively labeled drug was still found in stool 6 weeks after a dose, and the zuclomiphene component was detectable for more than a month. This is one reason the label requires ruling out pregnancy and ovarian cysts before each new course.
How many cycles of Clomid can I take?
The FDA label recommends no more than about six cycles in total, including three ovulatory cycles. If you don't ovulate after three courses, or you ovulate three times without getting pregnant, the label says to stop and be re-evaluated. Prolonged use may increase the risk of borderline or invasive ovarian tumors. At that point, letrozole, injectable gonadotropins, IUI or IVF are the usual next steps.
Is Clomid safe in early pregnancy?
Clomid should not be taken once you're pregnant. It offers no benefit then, and animal studies showed harm at high doses. That's why each new course starts only after pregnancy is ruled out. Available human data have not shown a higher rate of birth defects or miscarriage than in the general population when Clomid is used as directed before conception.
Sources
- CLOMID (clomiphene citrate tablets USP) — FDA-approved prescribing information (Cosette Pharmaceuticals) — U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) / U.S. FDA
- Letrozole versus Clomiphene for Infertility in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Legro et al.) — New England Journal of Medicine (2014)
- Letrozole, Gonadotropin, or Clomiphene for Unexplained Infertility (AMIGOS trial, Diamond et al.) — New England Journal of Medicine (2015)
- International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 2023 — Monash University / NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in PCOS
- Clomiphene citrate is safe and effective for long-term management of hypogonadism (Moskovic et al.) — BJU International (2012)
- Evaluation and Management of Testosterone Deficiency: AUA Guideline — American Urological Association
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 38a-536 — Mandatory coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment — Connecticut General Statutes (via Justia)
- Connecticut — state infertility insurance laws — American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ReproductiveFacts.org)
- World Anti-Doping Code — Prohibited List (S4: hormone and metabolic modulators, including clomifene) — World Anti-Doping Agency
- NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) — CLOMIPHENE CITRATE 50 MG TAB — CMS
- Clomid / clomiphene price data (consumer cash price reference) — GoodRx