Clomipramine is a drug used to treat depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, or phobias. In addition, this drug can also be used to treat cataplexy associated with narcolepsy.
Cataplexy is a condition when a person temporarily loses the ability to control muscle movement. This condition is closely related to narcolepsy, which is a sleep disorder that causes sufferers to experience prolonged sleepiness.
Clomipramine belongs to the class of tricyclic antidepressant drugs. This drug works by increasing serotonin levels. Serotonin is a natural chemical in the brain that plays a role in regulating mood. With increased levels of serotonin, mood and behavior will be more controlled. This drug should not be used carelessly and must be according to a doctor's prescription.
Clomipramine trademarks: Anafranil
What is Clomipramine
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Tricyclic antidepressants |
| Benefit | Relieve depressive symptoms obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, or as adjunctive therapy for cataplexy associated with narcolepsy |
| Consumed by | Adults and seniors |
| Clomipramine for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. Clomipramine can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine before consulting your doctor. |
| Shape | Tablet |
Warnings Before Taking Clomipramine
Clomipramine should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor. The following are things you need to pay attention to before taking clomipramine:
- Do not take clomipramine if you are allergic to this drug. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to tricyclic antidepressants.
- Tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack or are recovering from a heart attack. Clomipramine should not be used in these conditions.
- Do not take clomipramine if you are on treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI). Clomipramine can only be taken after 21 days without using MAOI drugs.
- Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, glaucoma, seizures, blood disorders, asthma, pheochromocytoma, adrenal gland tumor, BPH, constipation, ileus, alcoholism, hypokalemia, or another mental disorder, such as bipolar disorder.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor if you are or have ever had therapy electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
- Do not drive a vehicle or do activities that require alertness after taking clomipramine, as this medicine may cause dizziness or drowsiness.
- Do not drink alcohol or smoke while taking clomipramine, as this can increase the risk of side effects.
- Tell your doctor that you are taking clomipramine if you plan to have any surgery, including dental surgery.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic drug reaction, serious side effect, or overdose after taking clomipramine.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Clomipramine
The dose of clomipramine will be determined by the doctor according to the intended use and age of the patient. The following are the commonly administered doses of clomipramine:
Condition: Depression
- Mature: The initial dose is 10 mg per day. The dose may be increased gradually to 30–150 mg per day if needed. Maintenance dose 30–50 mg per day. The dose for severe depression is 250 mg per day, after improvement in the condition the dose will be reduced to 50–100 mg.
- seniors: The initial dose is 10 mg per day. The dose may be increased to 30–75 mg per day for a duration of 10 days.
Condition: Phobia or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Mature: The initial dose is 25 mg per day, the dose may be increased to 100–150 mg in 2 weeks.
- seniors: Initial dose 10 mg.
Condition: Adjunct therapy for cataplexy associated with narcolepsy
- Mature: The initial dose is 10 mg per day. The dose can be increased gradually up to 10–75 mg per day.
How to Take Clomipramine Correctly
Take clomipramine as directed by your doctor and the instructions on the medicine package. Do not increase or decrease the dose of medication without consulting your doctor first.
Clomipramine tablets need to be taken with meals or immediately after meals. Make sure that there is sufficient time between one dose and the next. Take the medicine at the same time every day, so that the medicine is effective.
Do not stop taking this drug suddenly because it can trigger withdrawal symptoms. Doctors can change the type of drug prescribed or reduce the dose of the drug gradually until the patient can safely stop taking the drug.
If you forget to take clomipramine, do it immediately if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the next dose.
To avoid complaints of dizziness after taking this medicine, get up from a sitting or lying position slowly.
Store clomipramide in a cool, dry place. Keep the medicine out of direct sunlight and reach of children.
InteractionClomipramine with Other Drugs
Drug interactions can occur if clomipramine is used with certain medications. Drug interactions that can occur include:
- Increased risk of heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias) if used with levacetylmethadol, pimozide, or thioridazine
- Increased risk of serotonin syndrome when used with triptans, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, or MAOIs and SSRI antidepressants
- Increased risk of QT prolongation if used with diuretics, antiarrhythmic drugs, phenothiazines, pimozide, terfenadine, or other tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline
- Increased risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or antirheumatic agents, such as sulfasalazine
- Increased risk of developing central nervous system depression when used with barbiturates, benzodiazepines, opioid analgesics, or general anesthetics
- Increased blood levels of clomipramide when used with antipsychotics, terbinafine, valproic acid, methylphenidate, cimetidine, verapamil, diltiazem, or protease inhibitors, such as atazanavir and simeprevir
- Increased effects of adrenaline, ephedrine, isoprenaline, phenylephrine, noradrenaline, and phenylpropanolamine on the heart and blood vessels
- Enhanced muscle relaxant effect of baclofen
- Decreased therapeutic effect of clomipramine when used with barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, colestipol, cholestyramine, or rifampicin
- Decrease or disappearance of the blood pressure lowering effect of clonidine guanethidine, reserpine, betanidine, or methyldopa
Clomipramine Side Effects and Dangers
Side effects that can occur after taking clomipramine include:
- Drowsiness
- Headache or dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- dry mouth
- Nasal congestion
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Nervous
- Decreased sexual desire
- Decreased memory and concentration
Check with your doctor if the side effects above don't go away or get worse. See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to a drug or a more serious side effect, such as:
- Certain body parts shaking (tremors)
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Difficulty urinating or just can't hold urine
- Hallucinations or delusions
- Difficulty breathing or breathing quickly
- Muscles feel stiff
- Sore throat, fever, and other symptoms of infection
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Seizures
