Clomiphene citrate tablets are a prescription medication that Bayview Pharmacy dispenses to fill your provider's prescription. Clomiphene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). The tablets are a manufactured, FDA-approved medication, sold as Clomid and as generic clomiphene citrate, in a single 50 mg strength (prescribing information).
Clomiphene is FDA-approved to treat ovulatory dysfunction in women who want to become pregnant. Providers also prescribe it off-label for men, most often for low testosterone caused by reduced hormone signals from the brain (secondary hypogonadism) and for male infertility (StatPearls). Bayview dispenses this manufactured tablet; it is not compounded. Bayview separately compounds enclomiphene capsules and testosterone for men as part of our hormone replacement therapy line.
How does it work?
Estrogen normally signals the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain to slow the hormones that drive testosterone production. Clomiphene blocks that estrogen signal, so the pituitary releases more luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). LH prompts the testes to make more of their own testosterone, and FSH supports sperm production (StatPearls).
Because clomiphene works through the body's own hormone signals rather than supplying testosterone from outside, it is often considered for men who want to keep their own sperm production. Testosterone therapy, by contrast, is not suitable for men who are trying to conceive (Wu and Sung, 2024).
What is it used for in men?
Providers prescribe clomiphene off-label for men with secondary hypogonadism and for male infertility (StatPearls). In a 2025 review of randomized trials in men with functional hypogonadism, clomiphene and enclomiphene raised total testosterone, LH, and FSH compared with placebo (Hohl et al., 2025). Results vary from person to person, and clomiphene is not FDA-approved for these uses.
Low testosterone needs a medical evaluation to find its cause, and only a licensed provider can decide whether clomiphene is appropriate. Bayview Pharmacy dispenses clomiphene to your provider's prescription and does not provide consultations or decide who should take it. A valid prescription is required.
Clomiphene vs. enclomiphene vs. testosterone therapy
These three options raise testosterone in different ways. The table explains the differences for education only.
| Clomiphene tablets | Enclomiphene capsules | Testosterone therapy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A mix of two forms of the same molecule: enclomiphene and zuclomiphene | The enclomiphene form only | Testosterone itself |
| How it raises testosterone | Prompts the body to make more of its own | Prompts the body to make more of its own | Supplies testosterone from outside the body |
| How long it lasts in the body | The zuclomiphene part has a reported half-life of about 30 days | Half-life of about 10 hours | Depends on the product and form |
| Trying to conceive | Prescribed off-label for male infertility | Studied in men with secondary hypogonadism, including sperm production | Not suitable for men trying to conceive |
| FDA status | FDA-approved tablets (for women); off-label for men; not controlled | No FDA-approved product; compounded; not controlled | FDA-approved products exist; Schedule III controlled substance |
| Form at Bayview | Manufactured 50 mg tablet, dispensed | Compounded capsules | Compounded cream, gel, troche, or rapid-dissolve tablet |
This comparison is for education only and is not a statement that any option is better, safer, or more effective. Your provider decides which option, if any, is appropriate for you. Sources: isomers and half-lives (Rodriguez et al., 2016); testosterone therapy and conception (Wu and Sung, 2024).
How is it used?
Clomiphene tablets are swallowed by mouth. The 50 mg tablet is scored, so a provider may prescribe a half tablet (25 mg) or a whole tablet (prescribing information). Studies in men have used schedules such as 25 mg every other day, 25 mg daily, or 50 mg every other day, adjusted to blood testosterone levels (Wu and Sung, 2024). Your provider sets your dose and schedule and checks your hormone levels over time, so never change your dose on your own. A Bayview pharmacist is available if you have questions about splitting tablets or your directions.
Side effects & safety
Side effects listed for clomiphene include hot flashes, headache, nausea, and breast discomfort (MedlinePlus). In a long-term review of 400 men treated for low testosterone, the side effects reported most often were mood changes, blurred vision, and breast tenderness, and estradiol levels rose on treatment (Krzastek et al., 2019). The prescribing information also notes that breast enlargement (gynecomastia) and testicular tumors have been reported in men using clomiphene. Report any effect that concerns you to your provider.
Seek medical care right away for signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as rash, swelling, or trouble breathing.
Who should not use it?
Clomiphene is not appropriate for everyone. The prescribing information says it should not be used by people with an allergy to clomiphene or an ingredient in the tablet, liver disease or a history of liver problems, uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal problems, or an organic lesion inside the skull such as a pituitary tumor. It must not be used during pregnancy (prescribing information). Tell your provider about your full medical history and every medication and supplement you take.
How should it be stored?
Store the tablets at room temperature, 59 to 86°F (15 to 30°C), in a closed container protected from heat, light, and humidity, and keep them out of the reach of children (prescribing information). Do not use tablets after their expiration date.
Why fill your clomiphene prescription at Bayview?
Bayview dispenses generic clomiphene tablets to your provider's prescription at a pharmacy-direct cash price, with real pharmacist support when you have questions and delivery in the states where we are licensed. If your provider has sent a prescription, our team can help you get it filled.
Compounded alternatives, listed separately
Bayview separately compounds enclomiphene capsules, a single form of the clomiphene molecule, and testosterone for men. Compounded preparations are not FDA-approved and have not been evaluated by FDA for safety or for equivalence to FDA-approved medications. Bayview also dispenses manufactured sildenafil tablets and tadalafil tablets.
Clinical details for prescribers
Regulatory. Clomiphene citrate 50 mg scored tablets are FDA-approved for ovulatory dysfunction in women desiring pregnancy; generic tablets are listed with TE code AB (FDA NDC listing). Use in men for secondary hypogonadism or infertility is off-label; the labeling states there are no adequate or well-controlled studies demonstrating effectiveness for male infertility (labeling). Not a controlled substance. Dispensed as a manufactured product; Bayview does not compound it.
Pharmacology. Clomiphene citrate is a mixture of two stereoisomers: trans enclomiphene, an estrogen receptor antagonist, and cis zuclomiphene, an estrogen receptor agonist. Zuclomiphene has a reported half-life of about 30 days versus about 10 hours for enclomiphene (Rodriguez et al., 2016); a single-dose volunteer study found it may persist longer than a month (StatPearls).
Regimens and data in men:
- Hypogonadism studies used 25 mg every other day titrated to 50 mg every other day, 50 mg every other day titrated within 25 to 100 mg every other day, and 25 mg daily (Wu and Sung, 2024).
- Spermatogenesis: 25 mg daily for 25 days then 5 days off, or 25 mg every other day, increasing to 50 mg daily on the same cycle; check semen parameters regularly (StatPearls).
- Meta-analysis of RCTs in functional hypogonadism, SERMs vs placebo: total testosterone mean difference +273.76 ng/dL (95% CI 191.87 to 355.66); LH and FSH also higher, including versus testosterone gel (Hohl et al., 2025).
- Retrospective series of 400 men (mean 25.5 months): among 120 treated more than 3 years, 88% reached eugonadal testosterone and 8% reported side effects (mood change, blurred vision, breast tenderness); estradiol rose significantly; no significant adverse events were reported (Krzastek et al., 2019).
Counseling & monitoring:
- Visual symptoms: discontinue and arrange prompt ophthalmologic evaluation (labeling; StatPearls).
- Total testosterone and estradiol at follow-up (estradiol rose in long-term use); semen analysis when fertility is a goal; fasting lipids if at risk of hypertriglyceridemia (StatPearls).
- Labeled contraindications include hepatic disease or a history of hepatic dysfunction, uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction, and an organic intracranial lesion such as a pituitary tumor; gynecomastia and testicular tumors have been reported in males.
- Half-tablet (25 mg) doses use the scored 50 mg tablet.
Licensed to dispense in RI, MA, CT, NJ, NH, FL, ME, and PA. Account setup and ordering are covered on our for providers page.
Clomiphene citrate tablets are a manufactured prescription medication dispensed to your provider's prescription; use in men is off-label. This information is educational and is not a substitute for your provider's instructions. Your provider determines whether it is appropriate and sets the dose.
References
- Clomiphene citrate tablets, prescribing information (DailyMed via FDA.report)
- StatPearls: Clomiphene (NCBI Bookshelf)
- MedlinePlus: Clomiphene
- Hohl et al. 2025: clomiphene or enclomiphene for male hypogonadism, meta-analysis of RCTs
- Wu and Sung 2024: clomiphene citrate as an alternative approach for male hypogonadism
- Krzastek et al. 2019: long-term clomiphene citrate for hypogonadism
- Rodriguez et al. 2016: enclomiphene citrate for secondary male hypogonadism
- FDA NDC listing: clomiphene citrate 50 mg tablets (ANDA, TE code AB)
