Clomifene-induced persisting perception disorder

Clomifene (aka clomiphene, Clomid, Clomifert) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator, used mainly in female infertility due to anovulation. The drug acts by inhibiting the action of estrogen on the gonadotrope cells in the anterior pituitary gland. In response to low estrogen levels, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) release is increased, leading to a higher rate of ovulation and hence pregnancy. In some countries, it is also registered for use in men. More often, Clomifene is used illegally by men in the bodybuilding community as a testosterone stimulant.

In addition to hot flashes, abdominal discomfort, reversible ovarian enlargement and cyst formation, common adverse drug reactions associated with the use of clomifene include visual blurring (e.g. Roch et al., 1967; Martínez Ayuso and Méndez Sampedro, 2002). As rare adverse effect, Purvin (1995) described prolonged afterimages (palinopsia), shimmering of the peripheral field, and photophobia in 3 women aged 32 to 36 years treated for infertility with clomifene for 4 to 15 months. Unlike previously reported cases, visual symptoms did not resolve on cessation of treatment. The 3 patients remained symptomatic from 2 to 7 years after discontinuing treatment with the medication, displaying Clomifene-induced persisting perception disorder.

Clomid.......what do i do?

"Hi Guys,

Some of you may remember me, some not....I have been a member for yonks.......................

I have been been seeing a fertility doc as i am finding it difficult to get pregnant, she has suggested i may want to try the fertility drug Clomid....... I think this is a massive no no, given its links with our problems. I wondered what anyone else thinks????

I already have bad palinopsia..... but would it make it worse (if it could !!)

Donna"

(donjenkins, Yuku forum Visual snow or static - General discussion - Clomid.......what do i do?, April 16, 2008)

"I'm a VS lifer (plus a bunch of other visual symptoms) and Clomid did not do a thing to make my VS worse, or any other visual symptoms worse either. I came close to becoming homicidal while on it , but no visual symptoms. I had decided before taking it that I was not going to tell anyone at work about the treatments, but I became so ANGRY that I simply had to so everyone would leave me alone! For most people the shots are much easier on their moods, but for me they were the same... but still, no difference in visual symptoms."

(Wendi Triplet Mom [subject #147], Yuku forum Visual snow or static - General discussion - Clomid.......what do i do?, April 16, 2008)

References

Martínez Ayuso M, Méndez Sampedro T. [Vision disorders secondary to clomiphene citrate treatment prior to in vitro fertilization] [Article in Spanish]. Aten Primaria 2002; 29: 582-583.
Purvin VA. Visual disturbance secondary to clomiphene citrate. Arch Ophthalmol 1995; 113: 482-484.
Roch LM 2nd, Gordon DL, Barr AB, Paulsen CA. Visual changes associated with clomiphene citrate therapy. Arch Ophthalmol 1967; 77: 14-17.

We have viper123456 (subject #42) to thank for the reference to Clomifene-induced persisting perception disorder (Ezboard forum Visual snow or static - Discussion - Clomid, September 1, 2007).