Difference between Femara and Clomid
In the quest to have a baby, many people have had to turn to fertility medications, with Femara and Clomid being some of the most commonly prescribed ones. Each has its relative advantages and disadvantages of course, and this is what we cover in this comparison article.
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Femara is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor meant for oral administration. It is often used for treating hormonally-responsive breast cancer post-surgery in addition to its use as infertility medication. Femara is one of the most recently proposed medications for fertility treatment.
Clomid is a drug that belongs to the selective estrogen receptor modulator or SERM category. The drug works by increasing the production of gonadotropins in the body, an action that is the result of the inhibiting of negative feedback on the hypothalamus. This medication is often used as treatment for female infertility caused by anovulation. Clomid is also sold as Serophene and Milophene.
Usage
Femara has been approved by the FDA for use as a breast cancer treatment medication in addition to its use as fertility medication. It is important to note however that the drug may cause a number of side effects, some of which will be discussed in the next section of this article.
Clomid is typically administered on the second day of the menstrual cycle. This has the effect of inhibiting the action of estrogen on the pituitary gland. The result is that the body is fooled into thinking that there is a low level of estrogen present, a condition that mimics the 22nd day of the menstrual cycle.
Risks
Femara has been widely used as an ovarian stimulant since 2001, and it has the benefits of fewer side-effects than Clomid and similar drugs. It also carries a much reduced risk of multiple gestation. That being said, certain studies have shown that the drug may increase the risk of birth defects, although more studies are necessary in order to formulate a more definitive conclusion. Nevertheless, the manufacturer of Femara, Novartis, has issued warnings to doctors in the United States and Canada with regard to the inappropriateness of the drug for pregnant women.
The use of Clomid carries its own share of risks, with some of the most common symptoms including hot flashes, abdominal pain, blurred vision, enlargement of the ovaries and cysts. Some patients may also experience uterine bleeding and nausea, although these symptoms are far less common. It is also important to note that the use of Clomid may result in multiple ovulation, which increases the chances of giving birth to twins.
Similarities and Differences
Femara
- A non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor meant for oral administration
- Often used for treating hormonally-responsive breast cancer post-surgery in addition to its use as infertility medication
- Has fewer side-effects than Clomid
Clomid
- Belongs to the selective estrogen receptor modulator or SERM category
- Works by increasing the production of gonadotropins in the body
- Also sold as Serophene and Milophene
