Clomiphene citrate plus N-acetyl cysteine versus clomiphene citrate for augmenting ovulation in the management of unexplained infertility: a randomized double-blind controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To compare clomiphene citrate with N-acetyl cysteine vs. clomiphene citrate alone for augmenting ovulation in management of unexplained infertility.

Design: Prospective randomized double-blind controlled trial.

Setting: Department of obstetrics and gynecology in a university medical faculty in Egypt.

Patient(s): Four hundred four patients as a study group (clomiphene citrate plus N-acetyl cysteine group) and 400 patients as a control group (clomiphene citrate-alone group). All women had unexplained infertility.

Intervention(s): Patients in the study group were treated with clomiphene citrate (50-mg tablets) twice per day and with N-acetyl cysteine (1,200 mg/d orally) for 5 days starting on day 2 of the cycle. Patients in the control group were treated with clomiphene citrate with sugar powder.

Main outcome measure(s): The primary outcomes were number and size of growing follicles, serum E(2), serum P, and endometrial thickness. The secondary outcome was the occurrence of pregnancy.

Result(s): There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the number of follicles sized >18 mm, mean E(2) levels, serum P, or endometrial thickness. Pregnancy rate was comparable in both groups (22.2% vs. 27%). Miscarriage rate was comparable in both groups (6.7% in the study group vs. 7.4% in the control group).

Conclusion(s): N-Acetyl cysteine is ineffective in inducing or augmenting ovulation in patients with unexplained infertility and cannot be recommended as an adjuvant to clomiphene citrate in such patients.