title: Letrozole or clomiphene citrate as first line for anovulatory infertility: a debate.
abstract: Clomiphene citrate has been traditionally used as the drug of choice in treating women with anovulatory infertility. In the last decade letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor has emerged as alternative ovulation induction agent. Literature confirms that letrozole has a definitive role in anovulatory women who have not responded to the clomiphene therapy. However its role as an alternative to clomiphene as first line therapy continues to be debated. Although it is probable that the overall benefits of letrozole surpass clomiphene citrate, currently available data does not confirm this view. There is need for large well-designed trials.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine Unit, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore 632004, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Mohan S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kamath
authors.forename: Korula
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: George
mesh_terms: D000858:Anovulation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077289:Letrozole; D009570:Nitriles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D002996:Clomiphene; D000077289:Letrozole