Clomipramine (Anafranil)
Clomipramine was developed by Geigy Pharmaceuticals (now known as Novartis) in the 1960"s. It was derived from imipramine and is a tricyclic antidepressant and antiobsessive medication
The Bottom Line: What You Really Need to Know
- Clomipramine (Anafranil) is not usually used to treat depression. It is most often used to treat OCD, panic attacks, chronic pain, bedwetting and many other problems.
- The usual initial dose of clomipramine is 25 mg/day divided into three doses. The dose is gradually increased to 150 mg/day or higher. Be sure to take it exactly as your doctor prescribes.
- Clomipramine interacts with many different medications. Make sure you tell your physician and pharmacist about all medications that you take, including herbal remedies and teas, over the counter medications, homeopathic and alternative treatments, vitamins, supplements and medications you only take occasionally.
- If you have surgery, make sure your surgeon knows you take clomipramine. It can interact with anesthetics.
- If you are taking clomipramine for depression, it may be several weeks before you start to feel better.
- Talk to your doctor before you stop taking clomipramine. Your dose may need to be tapered down slowly to prevent uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
- Most people experience a few mild side effects, like dry mouth or constipation, when they begin taking clomipramine. They usually go away with time.
- If you get dizzy or faint when you stand up suddenly, change positions slowly. Come to a sitting position for a few seconds before you stand.
- If you experience loss of interest in sex or diminished sexual ability, talk to your doctor about it.
- Have a friend or family member check in with you every day for the first few months that you take clomipramine. Ask him or her to help you monitor your condition for:
- Worsening depression
- Restlessness, irritability, agitation, hostility or aggression
- Unusual thoughts or thoughts of suicide
- Report any serious or unusual side effects to your doctor.
Uses
Clomipramine is not usually used to treat depression. It is used more frequently to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. It has also been used to treat panic disorder, narcolepsy, chronic pain, bedwetting, premature ejaculation, cocaine addiction with neurologic damage, hair pulling or nail biting and repetitive behaviors in autism.
Dosage and instructions
The initial dose of clomipramine is 25 mg/day divided into three doses and taken with meals. The dose is increased by 25 mg/day every 3-4 days, reaching 150 mg/day by the end of two weeks. It takes 2-3 weeks to achieve the full therapeutic effect of clomipramine, so most doctors wait for another week or two before increasing the dose any further. If necessary, it can gradually be increased to 200 mg/day. Hospitalized patients may be increased to 300 mg/day.
After the therapeutic effect has been obtained, the dose is gradually decreased to the lowest one that works for this person.
The usual therapeutic dose for depressed adults is 200 mg/day; people with OCD may need 250 mg/day.
Children and elderly people often need smaller doses. The dose should be increased very gradually in older people.
How clomipramine works
Clomipramine inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine at the junctions of nerve cells. It also has anticholinergic and antihistamine effects.
Clomipramine is absorbed from your stomach quickly. It is broken down in your liver; 2/3 of it is excreted in urine, 1/3 in feces. One metabolite (substance formed when clomipramine breaks down) is active (has a therapeutic effect). This makes clomipramine effective for a longer time.
Side Effects
The most frequently experienced side effects of clomipramine are sleepiness, tremors, dizziness, nervousness, muscle spasms, diminished libido and sexual functioning, sweating, increased appetite and weight gain and vision changes.
Many other side effects can occur including:
- Muscle twitches, jerks, tremors and convulsions
- Headache
- Confusion, disorientation, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, nightmares
- Hallucinations, delirium, psychosis, aggression
- Low blood pressure, especially when you stand up suddenly
- Heart rhythm problems-rapid heart beat, palpitations and fatal dysrhythmias
- Blood cell abnormalities
- Menstrual problems
- Digestive problems
- Blood sugar instability
- Water intoxication
- Allergic reactions
- Sensitivity to sunlight or UV radiation
Interactions
Clomipramine interacts with many medications. Some of them are:
- Other antidepressants-can cause serotonin syndrome, high fever, muscle rigidity, seizures, coma and death
- Alcohol and narcotics-increases their effect
- Anticholinergic medicatons (atropine, levodopa)-can cause glaucoma, urinary retention or bowel blockage
- Quinidine and similar medications-potentially deadly heart rhythm problems
- Anesthetics-serious interaction-you"ll be instructed to stop taking clomipramine several days before surgery
- Warfarin (coumadin), digitalis
- Amphetamines
Some medications cause clomipramine to be metabolized more slowly, so that the level increases. The dose may need to be decreased if you are taking these medications:
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
- Cimetadine (Tagamet)
- Estrogen (hormones, birth control pills)
Some medications have the opposite effect. You could need a larger dose of clomimipramine if you are taking:
- Barbiturates (Phenobarbitol)
- Phenytoin (Dilantin)
- Nicotine (cigarettes, Nicorette)
Withdrawal
Clomimipramine is not addictive, but if you suddenly stop taking it you could experience withdrawal symptoms, or "discontinuation syndrome." Symptoms are nausea and vomiting, headache, irritability, fever, inability to sleep and feeling lousy. Clomimipramine should be tapered gradually before you stop taking it.
Warnings, precautions and contraindications
Suicide risk: There is an increased risk of suicide with all antidepressants, especially in the first several weeks that you take it. Anybody who starts taking an antidepressant should be monitored frequently with weekly physician or therapist visits. Friends and family should check with the person daily and any unusual symptoms or worsening depression should be reported to the physician immediately.
Mania: Clomimipramine can trigger mania in bipolar individuals and can cause rapid cycling from depression to mania. The mania can be severe and can progress to psychosis, delusions, paranoia, hostility and aggression and violence.
Seizures: Clomipramine lowers the seizure threshold and can increase seizure activity in people susceptible to it.
Clomimipramine should be used with caution in patients who are have hyperactive thyroid, enlarged prostate, glaucoma, adrenal gland tumors, liver disease or kidney disease.
Elderly people may experience oversedation and delirium, especially at night. This could lead to falls.
Clomimipramine may increase the incidence of dental caries.
People who have severe heart failure or have recently had a heart attack should not take clomimipramine.
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