Clomipramine
Generic Anafranil
Clomipramine (kloe MI pra meen) is a generic medication prescribed for treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Clomipramine belongs to a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants.
Clomipramine (kloe MI pra meen) is a generic medication prescribed for treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Clomipramine belongs to a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants.
- Generic
- • Capsule
- • 25mg
- • 30 Capsules
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Melissa Badowski, PharmD, MPH, FCCP
Updated on November 8, 2023
Clomipramine (kloe MI pra meen) is a generic medication prescribed for treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Clomipramine belongs to a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants.
Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Clomipramine oral capsule has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for clomipramine” section.
Side effects
Side effects of clomipramine
Clomipramine may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of clomipramine and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about clomipramine’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for clomipramine listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with clomipramine are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about clomipramine’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for clomipramine listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Clomipramine oral capsule’s mild side effects include:
- dry mouth
- tremors
- fatigue (low energy)
- dizziness
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for clomipramine” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of clomipramine are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about clomipramine’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for clomipramine listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, clomipramine’s serious side effects include:
- memory issues and confusion
- trouble concentrating
- mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression
- difficulty sleeping and unusual dreaming
- weight gain
- chest pain
- seizures
- low blood pressure when sitting or standing up too quickly
- visual changes
- serotonin syndrome, a serious condition caused by a high level of serotonin in the body
- boxed warning: risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors*
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for clomipramine” section.
FAQ
Common questions about clomipramine
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about clomipramine.
What brand names are available for clomipramine?
The brand-name version of clomipramine is called Anafranil.
Clomipramine is a generic medication. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared with brand-name drugs. For more information on brand versus generic drugs, see this article.
For more information about the brand-name version of clomipramine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How does clomipramine work? And how long does it take to start working?
How a drug works is referred to as its “mechanism of action.” The exact mechanism of action for clomipramine isn’t fully understood. It’s thought that clomipramine works by increasing the amount of norepinephrine and serotonin in your brain. These chemicals help improve your mood.
You should begin to notice the initial effects of clomipramine within 1–2 weeks. When clomipramine is taken as prescribed, it may take 4–12 weeks before the drug has its full effect.
If you’d like to know more about how clomipramine works or how long it may take to notice its effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Uses
Uses of clomipramine
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as clomipramine for certain conditions. Approved uses for clomipramine are described below.
Use for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Doctors may prescribe clomipramine oral capsule for treating symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 10 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.
With OCD, people may have obsessions, which are unwanted thoughts or impulses that won’t go away. They may then act on these thoughts to try and control or stop them. These actions are called compulsions, and they often affect the lives of people with OCD.
Some common examples of obsessive thoughts include:
- being very worried about germs or illness
- being overly worried about the health and safety of yourself or a loved one
- a need to have items arranged in a specific way
Common examples of compulsive behaviors include:
- washing hands, objects, or your body
- counting or repeating patterns
- touching an object a set number of times
Doctors may not prescribe clomipramine oral capsule in certain situations, such as immediately after you have a heart attack.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for clomipramine
Below, you’ll find information about clomipramine’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of clomipramine
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take clomipramine, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for clomipramine” section below.
Warnings for clomipramine
Some people should not take clomipramine, and others should take it cautiously.
Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Clomipramine has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
With clomipramine and other antidepressant drugs, children and young adults are at a higher risk of having suicidal thoughts and behavior. This risk is highest within the first few months of starting a new antidepressant or after your doctor makes changes to the dose.
While taking clomipramine, doctors will closely monitor people ages 24 years and younger for worsening of certain symptoms or unusual changes in behavior. These symptoms may include:
- anxiety
- agitation
- panic attacks
- trouble sleeping
- irritability
If you have concerns about suicidal thoughts or behavior, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend using a different medication to treat your condition. To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Suicide prevention
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Other warnings
Clomipramine could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether clomipramine is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for clomipramine, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Clomipramine can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to clomipramine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe clomipramine. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to clomipramine, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of clomipramine
You should not take more clomipramine than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much clomipramine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and clomipramine
Information about clomipramine and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Clomipramine and pregnancy
It’s not known whether clomipramine should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Clomipramine and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether clomipramine should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about clomipramine or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Can I take clomipramine with other medications?
- What happens if I miss a dose of clomipramine?
- Will I need to take clomipramine long term?
Resources
Resources
- Clomipramine hydrochloride capsule. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/b1809cb2-c6a8-451a-b692-506456c4efc3/spl-doc
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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