Clomipramine Description

Generic Name: CLOMIPRAMINE

Pronunciation: (kloe mi' pra meen)

Trade Name(s): Anafranil, Clofranil, Clomidac, Clomifril, Clomizil, Clonil, Ocifril

Why it is prescribed: Clomipramine is used to treat obsessions and compulsions in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. It has also been used to treat depression, panic disorders and phobias.

When it is to be taken: Clomipramine is usually taken one to three times a day with meals or once a day at bedtime. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully. Clomipramine must be taken regulary to be effective. However, do not take more of it and do not take it more often than your doctor has directed.

How it should be taken: Clomipramine comes in the form of capsules. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose.

Special Instruction:
1. Clomipramine makes some people drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive a car, operate dangerous machinery, swim, or climb until you know how it affects you.
2. Do not stop taking clomipramine without consulting your doctor.
3. Stopping the drug abruptly can cause side effects.
4. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually to allow your body to adjust before stopping the drug completely.
5. Your dose and dosage schedule may need to be adjusted occasionally.
6. If you take clomipramine once a day at bedtime and do not remember it until morning, omit the missed dose. If you take several doses per day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose when it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, omit the missed dose entirely. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Side Effects:
1. Dry mouth. Suck sugarless hard candies.
2. Dizziness, lightheadedness, or faintness when getting up from a sitting or lying position. Get up slowly.
3. Drowsiness. If you take this drug more than once a day, ask your doctor if you can take it once a day at bedtime.
4. Nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea. Take clomipramine with meals or a snack.
5. Nervousness, tiredness, weakness, confusion, difficulty sleeping, decreased sexual ability, decreased memory or concentration, headache, sweating, stuffy nose, chest congestion, change in appetite or weight. Contact your doctor if these effects persist or become severe.
6. Tremor, seizures, blurred vision, irregular heartbeat, difficulty urinating, eye pain, hallucinations, shakiness. Contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions:
1. Pregnant or breast-feeding women should inform their doctors before taking clomipramine. If you become pregnant while taking this drug, notify your doctor promptly.
2. Before taking clomipramine, tell your doctor your entire medical history, especially if you have a history of seizures, glaucoma, an overactive thyroid gland, low blood pressure, or liver or heart disease.
3. Tell your doctor if you ever had a bad reaction to any tricyclic antidepressant (amitriptyline, amoxapine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, maprotiline, nortriptyline, protriptyline, protriptyline, and trimipramine).
4. Do not take clomipramine if you have taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine or tranylcypromine in the last two weeks.
5. Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially medication for high blood pressure, ulcers, asthma, colds, or allergies; sedatives; tranquilizers; sleeping pills; anticoagulants such as warfarin ; digoxin; antihistamines; and methylphenidate.
6. Do not take any other medications or drink alcoholic beverages without consulting your doctor. Before you have medical treatment or surgery, tell your doctor that you are taking clomipramine.
7. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions: Keep clomipramine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from moisture.