Higher doses of common fertility drug linked to pregnancy risks
About 1 in 6 people experience infertility, with irregular or absent ovulation among the most common causes. The drug clomiphene citrate has long been a mainstay of fertility treatment, but a growing body of University of Adelaide research is raising safety concerns about higher cumulative doses.
A new study published in BMJ Open has raised concerns about the potential risks associated with higher cumulative doses of the common fertility drug clomiphene citrate. Researchers from the University of Adelaide, Boston University, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed 21,004 IVF embryo transfer cycles in the United States and found that women receiving doses of 750 mg or more had a significantly higher risk of miscarriage and multiple births compared to those receiving lower doses.
While the study did not find that higher doses improved the chance of a live birth, it did highlight the importance of balancing effectiveness with safety when making treatment decisions. The researchers caution that while the association between higher doses and adverse pregnancy outcomes is consistent with previous findings, larger studies are needed to confirm the results.
Clomiphene citrate remains a widely prescribed and essential medicine for ovulation induction, with millions of women worldwide using it since its introduction in 1967.
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