Clomiphene citrate is safe and effective for long-term management of hypogonadism.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the efficacy and safety of long-term clomiphene citrate (CC) therapy in symptomatic patients with hypogonadism (HG).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Serum T, oestradiol and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured in patients who were treated with CC for over 12 months. Additionally, bone densitometry (BD) results were collected for all patients. Demographic, comorbidity, treatment and Androgen Deficiency in Aging Men (ADAM) score data were also recorded. Comparison was made between baseline and post-treatment variables, and multivariable analysis was conducted to define predictors of successful response to CC. The main outcome measures were predictors of response and long-term results with long-term CC therapy in hypogonadal patients.

RESULTS:

The 46 patients (mean age 44 years) had baseline serum testosterone (T) levels of 228 ng/dL. Follow-up T levels were 612 ng/dL at 1 year, 562 ng/dL at 2 years, and 582 ng/dL at 3 years (P < 0.001). Mean femoral neck and lumbar spine BD scores improved significantly. ADAM scores (and responses) fell from a baseline of 7 to a nadir of 3 after 1 year. No adverse events were reported by any patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

Clomiphene citrate is an effective long-term therapy for HG in appropriate patients. The drug raises T levels substantially in addition to improving other manifestations of HG such as osteopenia/osteoporosis and ADAM symptoms.

• Authors: Daniel J Moskovic, Darren J Katz, Ardavan Akhavan, Kelly Park, John P Mulhall
• Journal: BJU international (BJU Int) Vol. 110 Issue 10 Pg. 1524-8 (Nov 2012) ISSN: 1464-410X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22458540 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2012 BJU INTERNATIONAL.

Chemical References

• Estrogen Antagonists
• Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
• Clomiphene
• Testosterone
• Estradiol
• Luteinizing Hormone

Topics

• Adult
• Bone Density
• Clomiphene (therapeutic use)
• Estradiol (blood)
• Estrogen Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Hypogonadism (blood, drug therapy)
• Luteinizing Hormone (blood)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (therapeutic use)
• Testosterone (blood)