Clomid Vs. Femara

[AshRS]

Currently doing a 50mg Clomid cycle which I'm fairly certain will not work. I've heard things about Femara but am not overly familiar with it. Just looking for some thoughts on the pros/cons of Femara vs. Clomid.

Also, I've read that Femara isn't necessarily approved for infertility issues...will most doctors still prescribe it?

[DMS721]

50 mg of clomid did nothing for me, but my first try at 100 mg of it produced my now 3 week old son. So you may want to try a higher dose of it and see if that helps at all.

Dawn

[Ferret Mommy]

It may not be made for fertility (femera) But in the Clinical Pharmacology (what pharmacists use) It is written in there that it is used for PCOS fertility pat... let me get the clip...

For the treatment of infertility† in women due to anovulation, irregular ovulation, or luteal phase defects, including women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS):
NOTE: Ensure that patients are not pregnant prior to initiating letrozole. While the outcomes of pregnancies in one cohort study demonstrate a similar rate of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy in women who took letrozole versus other drugs for ovarian stimulation [31753], the manufacturer of letrozole urges physicians to ensure that letrozole is not used in women who may become or are pregnant; birth defects have been reported in the children of women who were receiving letrozole during pregnancy.
Oral dosage:
Adult premenopausal females: Limited studies indicate that 2.5 mg, 5 mg, or 7.5 mg PO once daily for 5 days, typically given on days 3—7 of the menstrual cycle, may be effective; in a study comparing 2.5 mg letrozole (n=34) to 5 mg letrozole (n=38) PO daily for 5 days, pregnancy rates per cycle were significantly higher in patients treated with the higher dosage (26% vs. 6%, p<0.05).[32940] Alternatively, a single dose of letrozole 20 mg PO on day 3 of the menstrual cycle has been shown to be as effective as 2.5 mg PO once daily for 5 days in a nonrandomized study [32939], although more data are needed before a single dose can be recommended. In general, ovulation and pregnancy rates are comparable to those with clomiphene (pregnancy rates per cycle of 9—27% for letrozole vs. 5.6—26% for clomiphene).[32937][32938][32941] Efficacy has also been demonstrated in patients with PCOS; ovulation occurred in 66% (65/99) of letrozole cycles vs. 75% (71/95) of clomiphene cycles, with pregnancy rates per cycle of 9% vs. 7%, respectively.[32942] In addition, successful pregnancies have occurred when letrozole is administered to patients who do not respond to clomiphene (lack of ovulation or insufficient endometrial thickness). In 30 patients that were treated with clomiphene 100—150 mg/day for 6—24 cycles, the administration of letrozole 2.5 mg (n=4) or 5 mg PO (n=26) PO once daily during menstrual cycle days 3—7 was associated with an ovulation rate of 90% and a pregnancy rate of 26%; pregnancy occurred during cycles 2—5 of letrozole therapy.[32943]

[Ferret Mommy]

Sorry, I cant link it due to my membership through work..

[BC-LittleaBige]

Yes, most Drs. will prescribe Femara. There are many many medications that are prescribed in an 'off label' way. This just happens to be one of them. I replied in the other thread but will post here for you too. I tried 12 cycles of Clomid. I ovulated on every cycle but did so really late in my cycles. The later you ovulate the poorer your egg quality is. On my 12th cycle of Clomid @ 250mg I conceived and had a miscarriage. I was so over Clomid it wasn't funny. I then switched Drs. and my RE tried Femara next. I took 2.5mg cycle days 3-7 just like the Clomid. I ovulated on Femara and it was at a normal time in my cycle. On my third cycle of Femara I conceived twins who are now 2! Don't give up, there are lots of options out there. Bumping the Clomid up a little might be the trick for you!

[Leeesa]

I was prescribed Femara at my request. I am to begin it in two days. I was given 5mg for my first time. I feel that it may be too high.
Any suggestions? I could take one at 2.5 instead...

[Ferret Mommy]

Most start with the 2.5 to start.. it seems to do well with people!

Good luck!

[BC-LittleaBige]

Originally Posted by Leeesa

I was prescribed Femara at my request. I am to begin it in two days. I was given 5mg for my first time. I feel that it may be too high.
Any suggestions? I could take one at 2.5 instead...

I really think it just depends on how aggressive your Dr. is. I tried 12 cycles of Clomid then switched to a RE. He immediately put me on 5mg of Femara CD 3-7 and on the third cycle doing it that way I got pregnant with twins who are now 2 yr olds. If you feel it may be too high for you ask the Dr. what their reason was for starting you on that dose. I personally don't think it is too high to start with simply because that is how it worked for me. Others may have different opinions though! Good Luck and keep us posted!

[Leeesa]

Thanks ladies for getting back to me! I still love this blog
I have never taken any fertility medication before, but my Dr. was under the impression that I had taken Clomid. I believe that is why she started me on 5mg. I am going to take 2.5 to see firstly, and most importantly how my body reacts to the medication and then take it from there!

L

[AshRS]

I wish my RE had started me on 5mg of Femara...2.5mg didn't work, and now I don't really want to waste another month with oral meds so am going to injectibles.