The Maximus Guide to Clomiphene and Enclomiphene
Clomid holds two forms of one drug. Only one raises testosterone.
Enclomiphene is that form, on its own. You get it by prescription, after a blood test, from a U.S. doctor.
What is inside clomiphene citrate
Two isomers
- Enclomipheneabout 62%
- Zuclomipheneabout 38%
Clomiphene is a mix of two isomers. Enclomiphene is one of them
Clomiphene citrate is a racemic mixture of two isomers; enclomiphene is the isolated isomer that raises testosterone, and the difference between the two drugs is zuclomiphene.
Clomid is a brand name for clomiphene citrate, FDA-approved to treat infertility in women. Doctors prescribe it off label to raise testosterone in men. That is where most searches start.
The two isomers act on estrogen receptors in opposite ways. Enclomiphene blocks them. Zuclomiphene switches them on.
Off-label use notice
Clomiphene citrate is FDA-approved for the treatment of ovulatory dysfunction in women. Its use in men to raise testosterone is off label. Maximus does not prescribe clomiphene citrate.
Side by side
The two drugs differ in structure, effect, side effects, and cost
| Attribute | Clomiphene citrate (Clomid)Racemic mixture | EnclomipheneWhat Maximus prescribes |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Two isomers: about 62% enclomiphene, about 38% zuclomiphene | The enclomiphene isomer on its own |
| How it works | Both isomers hit estrogen receptors. One blocks, one switches on | Blocks estrogen receptors at the hypothalamus, raising LH and FSH |
| Reported side effects | Documented adverse effects in 47% of men (31 of 66) in a 2024 retrospective chart review; decreased libido in 33.3% | 13.8% (8 of 66) in the same men after they switched off clomiphene, p = 0.001; decreased libido in 8.6%. Testosterone increases were similar on both, p = 0.20 |
| Time in your body | Zuclomiphene clears slowly and is still detectable about a month after a single dose, so it builds up on daily dosing | Enclomiphene half-life about 10 hours |
| Estrogen effect | Raises estradiol | Does not significantly raise estradiol |
| Cost* | Generic, $122.54 / 30 tablets | $99.99 to $199.99/mo, includes labs and physician oversight |
| FDA status | Approved for infertility in women. Use in men is off label | Compounded. No FDA-approved finished drug product |
| Who it is for | Men whose doctor prescribes it off label for low testosterone | Men whose labs confirm suboptimal levels and who want to keep fertility |
Attributes, not scores. Sources and study design in the notices below.
Compounded medications are not FDA-approved for safety, efficacy, or quality.
*Comparison sources
The adverse-effect figures come from a retrospective chart review at a single clinic. 66 hypogonadal men took clomiphene and were then switched to enclomiphene, with each man serving as his own control. Documented adverse effects occurred in 47% of the men on clomiphene and 13.8% on enclomiphene (p = 0.001), and decreased libido in 33.3% versus 8.6%. Testosterone increases were statistically indistinguishable between the two drugs (p = 0.20). This was not a randomized head-to-head trial: there was no randomization, no blinding, and every man took clomiphene first. Source: Saffati G, Kassab J, Orozco Rendon D, Hinojosa-Gonzalez DE, Kronstedt S, Lipshultz LI, Khera M. Safety and efficacy of enclomiphene and clomiphene for hypogonadal men. Transl Androl Urol. 2024;13(9):1984-1990. doi:10.21037/tau-24-238
Clomiphene citrate is a mixture of two isomers, approximately 62% enclomiphene and 38% zuclomiphene. Source: Herzog BJ, Nguyen HMT, Soubra A, Hellstrom WJG. Clomiphene citrate for male hypogonadism and infertility: an updated review. Androgens: Clin Res Ther. 2020;1(1). doi:10.1089/andro.2020.0005. FDA labeling for clomiphene citrate specifies between 30% and 50% cis-isomer (zuclomiphene), so the exact ratio varies by product and the split shown on this page is approximate.
Half-life and persistence figures: enclomiphene has an elimination half-life of about 10 hours (Wiehle 2013, citation 11). Zuclomiphene is eliminated far more slowly and is still detectable in blood about a month after a single dose (Mikkelson 1986, citation 10). In men on long-term clomiphene, zuclomiphene levels ran about 20 times higher than enclomiphene levels (Helo 2017, citation 02).
The generic clomiphene figure is one published mail-order cash price for 30 tablets of 50mg, not a market average (citation 09). Retail cash prices vary widely by pharmacy and discount program. Billing terms sit with the price below.
Mechanism
Enclomiphene works on the brain, not the testicles
Enclomiphene is a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). It blocks estrogen receptors at the hypothalamus, so your pituitary puts out more Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). Those two tell your testes to make more testosterone and sperm.
The signal starts in your own body. That is why enclomiphene preserves fertility and testicular function.
The other isomer
Zuclomiphene acts like estrogen and leaves your body slowly
Zuclomiphene is an estrogen agonist: it switches estrogen receptors on. It also clears slowly, still detectable in blood about a month after a single dose.
Zuclomiphene still detectable after one dose
About 1 month
Enclomiphene half-life
About 10 hours
On a daily dose it accumulates: in men on long-term clomiphene, blood levels ran about 1 part enclomiphene to 20 parts zuclomiphene. Researchers tie that buildup to clomiphene's estrogen side effects. Removing zuclomiphene is why enclomiphene exists.
What the study measured
Mean total testosterone rose 81.8% in the Maximus enclomiphene study
In the Maximus Enclomiphene Protocol Study (N=1,250), mean total testosterone rose 81.8%. Mean free testosterone rose 89.7%. 79.9% of the men improved on a quality-of-life score.
Full effect takes 1.5 to 2 months.
Study design and what the figures mean
Source: Maximus Enclomiphene Protocol Study, N=1,250, an open-label observational study with no placebo control. Figures are group means, not per-client outcomes: mean total testosterone rose 81.8% and mean free testosterone rose 89.7% (p < 0.001). The mean is the generally expected result. Individual results vary, and some men respond less than the mean. Full study: maximustribe.com/white-paper/enclomiphene
These figures are separate from the clomiphene comparison earlier on this page. That comparison comes from a different study, and its design and full citation sit directly beneath the comparison table (citation 07).
FDA's approved indication for testosterone products is classical or organic hypogonadism. FDA retained a Limitation of Use explicitly warning that the safety and efficacy of testosterone products have not been established for men with age-related hypogonadism.
Maximus protocols are designed to address those challenges for men whose labs confirm suboptimal levels.
Cost, said plainly
Which one costs less depends on your plan and your pharmacy
Generic clomiphene runs about $94 to $246, depending on the pharmacy and any discount program. One published mail-order price is $122.54 for 30 tablets of 50mg. A Maximus protocol runs $99.99 to $199.99 a month, lowest on the longest plan.
A year of enclomiphene, 12-month plan
$1,199.88
A year of generic refills at $122.54
$1,470.48
On the 1-month plan at $199.99, the protocol costs more than either. Generic prices swing too wide for anyone to promise you a saving.
A generic prescription buys tablets. The protocol price buys the care around them.
What you get
Every protocol includes a blood test, a doctor, and a licensed pharmacy
Included in every protocol
- Blood test before your first dose, and again at 4 weeks
- Doctor feedback every 3 months, plus annual labs
- Dose set from your markers and symptoms
Where it comes from, and what it pairs with
- Compounded by LegitScript-certified U.S. pharmacies
- 24/7 messaging with your care team
- Enclomiphene paired with Oral Testosterone or Testosterone Cream when your doctor recommends it
Compounded medications are not FDA-approved for safety, efficacy, or quality.
Safety
Important safety information
Enclomiphene safety information
Enclomiphene is a prescription medication and requires a physician evaluation. Reported side effects include headache, nausea, hot flashes, dizziness, mild gastrointestinal symptoms, mood changes, and mild acne. Visual disturbances are rare and warrant discontinuation and provider evaluation. Thromboembolism risk is a rare theoretical class effect shared with clomiphene.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Important safety information: testosterone therapy
Maximus protocols can include prescription testosterone. The information below describes the testosterone class. It does not describe enclomiphene, whose own reported effects are in the panel above.
Prescription testosterone requires a physician evaluation and ongoing lab monitoring. Reported effects across the class include acne or oily skin, libido changes, mood changes, fluid retention, elevated blood pressure, elevated hematocrit and hemoglobin, elevated PSA, testicular shrinkage, suppressed fertility, gynecomastia, and worsening of sleep apnea.
Serious risks include polycythemia or elevated hematocrit (CBC monitoring required), deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (rare), cardiovascular events in high-risk individuals, significant suppression of sperm production, and hypersensitivity reactions.
Read full safety information
Testosterone products carry a class-wide warning about increases in blood pressure, per FDA class-wide labeling changes announced February 28, 2025.
Topical secondary exposure. Testosterone Cream can transfer to another person through skin contact. Wash your hands after applying it and cover the application site with clothing. The site can be washed after 2 hours. Keep children and pets away from the site.
Injection-specific. Injection site pain, swelling, or bruising. Hypersensitivity to the oil carrier is rare. Injectable testosterone is a controlled substance.
Review the Medication Guide for any FDA-approved testosterone product your physician prescribes. Full safety information: maximustribe.com/safety
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Get the isomer that raises testosterone, prescribed after a blood test
You came looking for Clomid. Enclomiphene is the half that raises testosterone, prescribed by a doctor who reads your numbers first.
Enclomiphene
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Oral Testosterone
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Testosterone Cream
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FAQ
Questions men ask before they start
Can I still get Clomid?
Yes. Doctors still prescribe it off label for low testosterone in men. Maximus does not. Maximus protocols use enclomiphene, the isomer without zuclomiphene.
Off-label use notice
Clomiphene citrate is FDA-approved for the treatment of ovulatory dysfunction in women. Its use in men to raise testosterone is off label. Maximus does not prescribe clomiphene citrate.
Is enclomiphene FDA-approved?
No. There is no FDA-approved enclomiphene finished drug product in the U.S. A licensed pharmacy compounds it, and it takes a doctor's prescription.
Compounded medications are not FDA-approved for safety, efficacy, or quality.
Is enclomiphene more expensive than generic clomiphene?
Not necessarily. It depends on the plan length you commit to and the pharmacy you buy the generic from. The longest Maximus term can land under a year of generic refills, and the shortest term costs more than either. The cost section compares both sourced figures directly, and current plan prices are on the enclomiphene product page.
Is enclomiphene the same drug as Clomid?
No. Clomid is clomiphene citrate, which holds two isomers. Enclomiphene is one of them, on its own.
Will enclomiphene affect my fertility?
Enclomiphene raises testosterone by signaling your own testes. It preserves fertility and testicular function. Shots of testosterone do not, unless a doctor adds a second drug. Your doctor reviews your fertility goals at your evaluation.
Why not order clomiphene online without a prescription?
Both drugs need a prescription. A seller who skips that step also skips the labs, the dose, and the pharmacy standards. You have no way to check what is in the bottle.
What side effects should I expect on enclomiphene?
The most common are headache, nausea, and hot flashes. Stomach upset, mood changes, and mild acne also occur. Vision changes are rare. If they happen, stop and call your doctor.
How soon will I know it is working?
Enclomiphene takes 1.5 to 2 months to reach full effect. Your labs at 4 weeks show the trend sooner.
References
This page is general information about how prescription enclomiphene care works. It is not medical advice.
- 01Huang ES, Miller WL. Estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects of enclomiphene and zuclomiphene on gonadotropin secretion by ovine pituitary cells in culture. Endocrinology. 1983;112(2):442-8.
- 02Helo S, Mahon J, Ellen J, et al. Serum levels of enclomiphene and zuclomiphene in men with hypogonadism on long-term clomiphene citrate treatment. BJU Int. 2017;119(1):171-176. doi.org/10.1111/bju.13625
- 03Kim ED, McCullough A, Kaminetsky J. Oral enclomiphene citrate raises testosterone and preserves sperm counts in obese hypogonadal men, unlike topical testosterone: restoration instead of replacement. BJU Int. 2016;117(4):677-685. doi.org/10.1111/bju.13337
- 04Earl JA, Kim ED. Enclomiphene citrate: a treatment that maintains fertility in men with secondary hypogonadism. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab. 2019;14(3):157-165.
- 05Krzastek SC, Smith RP. Non-testosterone management of male hypogonadism: an examination of the existing literature. Transl Androl Urol. 2020;9(Suppl 2):S160. doi.org/10.21037/tau.2019.11.16
- 06Maximus Enclomiphene Protocol Study (N=1,250). maximustribe.com/white-paper/enclomiphene
- 07Saffati G, Kassab J, Orozco Rendon D, Hinojosa-Gonzalez DE, Kronstedt S, Lipshultz LI, Khera M. Safety and efficacy of enclomiphene and clomiphene for hypogonadal men. Transl Androl Urol. 2024;13(9):1984-1990. doi.org/10.21037/tau-24-238
Source for the adverse-effect comparison on this page: 47% of men on clomiphene and 13.8% on enclomiphene (p = 0.001), decreased libido 33.3% versus 8.6%, and median testosterone increases of 98 ng/dL versus 166 ng/dL that did not differ significantly (p = 0.20). Design: single-institution retrospective chart review of 66 men who took clomiphene and were then switched to enclomiphene, each serving as his own control. Not a randomized trial. An earlier conference abstract on the same cohort (Kassab J, et al. J Sex Med. 2024;21(Supplement_1):qdae001.090) reported 18.18% and 3.45%; this page uses the peer-reviewed full paper instead.
- 08Herzog BJ, Nguyen HMT, Soubra A, Hellstrom WJG. Clomiphene citrate for male hypogonadism and infertility: an updated review. Androgens: Clin Res Ther. 2020;1(1). doi.org/10.1089/andro.2020.0005
Peer-reviewed source for the approximate 62% enclomiphene and 38% zuclomiphene split. FDA labeling is a range, not a point value: the approved clomiphene citrate label states the drug contains between 30% and 50% of the cis-isomer (zuclomiphene). DailyMed, CLOMIPHENE CITRATE tablet label, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. The page states the split as approximate and annotates the split bar with the labeled range for that reason.
- 09Cost Plus Drugs. Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) 50mg, 30 tablets, published cash price. costplusdrugs.com/medications/clomid-50mg-30-tablets
Benchmark for the generic clomiphene cost figure: $122.54 including shipping, retrieved 2026-07-29; the same page lists $228.00 as the comparison retail price. Retail cash prices elsewhere are higher and vary widely. The $94 to $246 span quoted in the cost section covers SingleCare pharmacy rows for clomiphene 50mg, retrieved 2026-07-29, at quantities that were not normalized across sources. Pending review: Cost Plus Drugs and GoodRx both block automated retrieval, so re-verify both figures manually in a browser the same day at production publish.
- 10Mikkelson TJ, Kroboth PD, Cameron WJ, Dittert LW, Chungi V, Manberg PJ. Single-dose pharmacokinetics of clomiphene citrate in normal volunteers. Fertil Steril. 1986;46(3):392-396.
Human pharmacokinetic source for zuclomiphene persistence. Reports that zuclomiphene is eliminated far more slowly than enclomiphene, with significant plasma concentrations still detectable up to a month after a single dose. Published estimates of a zuclomiphene half-life range from more than 40 hours to about 30 days depending on method, so this page states persistence rather than a half-life figure.
- 11Wiehle RD, Fontenot GK, Wike J, Hsu K, Nydell J, Lipshultz L; ZA-304 Trial Investigators. Testosterone restoration using enclomiphene citrate in men with secondary hypogonadism: a pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic study. BJU Int. 2013;112(8):1188-1200. doi.org/10.1111/bju.12363
Primary pharmacokinetic source for the enclomiphene half-life: rapid absorption with an elimination half-life of about 10 hours and Tmax around 4 hours. The 10.5-hour figure carried in the Maximus white paper is not reported in any published source, so this page states about 10 hours.
- 12Hohl A, Chavez MP, Pasqualotto E, Ferreira ROM, van de Sande-Lee S, Ronsoni MF. Clomiphene or enclomiphene citrate for the treatment of male hypogonadism: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2025;69(5):e250093. doi.org/10.20945/2359-4292-2025-0093
Pooled evidence, not settled fact. 10 randomized controlled trials and 819 men. SERM therapy raised total testosterone by a mean difference of 273.76 ng/dL (95% CI 191.87 to 355.66; p < 0.01) with no significant difference against testosterone gel, while preserving spermatogenesis. It pools clomiphene and enclomiphene together as SERMs and does not stratify adverse events by drug, so it does not supersede citation 07 for the side-effect comparison. A published letter to the editor critiques its heterogeneity and short follow-up.
Compounded medications are prepared by licensed 503A/503B pharmacies using pharmaceutical-grade active ingredients. They are not FDA-approved finished drug products. Maximus protocols require a physician prescription.
Billing, availability, and cost
Billed monthly on the 1-month plan, or paid in advance or in installments across the full term on the 3-month and 12-month plans. At current rates a 3-month plan totals $449.97 and a 12-month plan totals $1,199.88. New clients starting a 12-month plan get 50% off the first month, which lowers that total. Lab testing is required, and any lab fee is disclosed in writing before your card is charged. Auto-renews on the day your current term ends, at the plan price and cadence shown at checkout. Cancel by turning off auto-renewal in your Maximus dashboard at app.maximustribe.com/login or by emailing support@maximustribe.com, with no phone call required. Committed 3-month and 12-month plans run through the full term you agree to at checkout. They cannot be ended early, and the remainder of a committed term is not refundable.
Availability varies by state. Click into the product to see whether Maximus can ship to your state.
HSA and FSA eligible.
Enclomiphene safety information
Enclomiphene is a prescription medication and requires a physician evaluation. Reported side effects include headache, nausea, hot flashes, dizziness, mild gastrointestinal symptoms, mood changes, and mild acne.
Read full safety information
Visual disturbances are rare and warrant discontinuation and provider evaluation. Thromboembolism risk is a rare theoretical class effect shared with clomiphene.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
