Clomipramine
About
Clomipramine belongs to a class of drugs called 'antidepressant' used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, panic and anxiety disorder. OCD is a mental disorder with symptoms such as excessive thoughts or ideas (obsessions), leading to repetitive behaviours (compulsions). Depression is a mood disorder associated with symptoms such as sadness, unable to sleep properly or enjoy life as you used to do. Panic or anxiety disorder is linked to anxiety with sudden feelings of unnecessary fear or worries even when there is no danger in reality.
Clomipramine contains Clomipramine which works by increasing the activity of serotonin and noradrenaline (chemical messengers) in the brain involved in regulating mood, behaviour and emotions. Thereby, Clomipramine helps relieve depression, lighten the mood and relieve anxiety symptoms such as fear and panic.
Take Clomipramine with food as prescribed by your doctor and swallow whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush or chew it. Your doctor will advise you how often you take Clomipramine based on your medical condition. Some people may experience dizziness, headache, drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, weight gain, increased sweating, constipation, shaking, blurred vision, erectile dysfunction or difficulty in urination. Most of these side effects of Clomipramine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Clomipramine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Clomipramine is not recommended for children below 17 years of age. Avoid taking Clomipramine if you are pregnant as it may cause harm to the foetus. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Clomipramine as it may be excreted in human milk and cause adverse effects in the baby. If you have any self-harming or suicidal thoughts before taking Clomipramine, inform your doctor as they may worsen in the initial days of taking Clomipramine.
Uses of Clomipramine
Medicinal Benefits
Clomipramine contains Clomipramine, an antidepressant used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and panic disorder. Clomipramine increases the activity of serotonin and noradrenaline (chemical messengers) in the brain that are involved in regulating mood, behavior, and emotions. Thereby, Clomipramine helps in relieving depression, lighten the mood and relieve anxiety symptoms such as fear and panic. Clomipramine in combination with other medicines may be used to treat cataplexy (a disorder that causes muscle weakness) which usually affects people suffering from narcolepsy (uncontrollable sleepiness during daytime).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Clomipramine
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Weight gain
- Increased sweating
- Constipation
- Shaking
- Blurred vision
- Erectile dysfunction
- Difficulty in urination
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Clomipramine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Clomipramine is not recommended for children below 17 years of age. Avoid taking Clomipramine if you are pregnant as it may cause harm to the fetus. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Clomipramine as Clomipramine may be excreted in human milk and cause adverse effects in the baby. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Clomipramine should be used with caution in elderly patients as there is an increased risk of low sodium levels in the blood. If you have any self-harming or suicidal thoughts before taking Clomipramine, inform your doctor as they may worsen in the initial days of taking Clomipramine. Do not take Clomipramine with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as moclobemide, tranylcypromine and phenelzine used to treat depression as it may cause severe adverse effects. Also, avoid taking Clomipramine with buprenorphine as it may cause a serious life-threatening condition. If you have fits, low blood pressure, mania, glaucoma, difficulty in urination, a blood disorder, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), severe constipation, pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland), low potassium levels in blood, kidney, liver, or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Clomipramine.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Clomipramine may have interaction with antiparkinson drug (selegiline, levodopa), antibiotic (pentamidine, rifampicin), antipsychotic drugs (pimozide), opioid pain killers (buprenorphine, morphine, codeine), blood thinners (warfarin), monoamine oxidase inhibitors used to treat depression (moclobemide, phenelzine, tranylcypromine), antidepressants (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, amitriptyline, sertraline, venlafaxine, dothiepin, maprotiline), antimanic drug (lithium), anticonvulsants (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, valproate), painkillers (aspirin), antacids (cimetidine), water tablets (furosemide), anti-allergic drug (terfenadine), medicines used to treat high blood pressure (betanidine, reserpine, guanethidine, clonidine), heart-related medicines (isoprenaline, amiodarone, quinidine, disopyramide, procainamide, epinephrine, diltiazem, verapamil), HIV drugs (ritonavir, indinavir).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and cranberry juice as they may interact with Clomipramine and increase the levels of Clomipramine in the body leading to more adverse effects. Also, avoid intake of alcohol while taking Clomipramine as it may increase side effects such as drowsiness, blurred vision, or confusion.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have fits, low blood pressure, mania, glaucoma, difficulty in urination, a blood disorder, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), severe constipation, pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland), low potassium levels in blood, kidney, liver or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Clomipramine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Clomipramine as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as drowsiness, blurred vision, or confusion.
Pregnancy
unsafeClomipramine is a Category C pregnancy drug and is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may cause harm to the unborn baby. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while taking Clomipramine as Clomipramine may be excreted in human milk and cause adverse effects in the baby. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Driving
unsafeClomipramine may cause dizziness, tiredness, confusion, difficulty in concentrating or blurred vision. Therefore, avoid driving if you experience any of these symptoms after taking Clomipramine.
Liver
cautionTake Clomipramine with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Clomipramine in patients with kidney problems, please consult a doctor.
Children
unsafeClomipramine is not recommended for children below 17 years of age, as the safety and effectiveness were not established. Please consult a doctor before using Clomipramine.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid fried foods, high-fat dairy products, pastries, and processed foods as they may worsen anxiety. Include foods rich in omega fatty acids such as fish, nuts, fresh fruits, vegetables, and olive oils.
- Neurotransmitters are made up of amino acids. Amino acid-rich foods such as meat, dairy products, and certain fruits and vegetables help in proper maintenance of neurotransmitters.
- Complex carbohydrates help in stimulating serotonin (a feel-good neurotransmitter). These include whole grains, legumes, spinach, broccoli, oranges, and pears.
- Exercising helps in the production of the body’s natural antidepressants. It also helps in relieving stress, improving mood, boosting self-esteem, and providing restful sleep.
- Perform meditation and yoga. This helps in relieving stress and provides relaxation.
- Regularly attend therapy sessions.
- Follow a regular sleep pattern to improve the amount and quality of sleep you get.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Special Advise
- Regular blood tests are recommended while taking Clomipramine to monitor liver and heart functioning.
- Regular dental check-ups are also advised while taking Clomipramine as it may cause dry mouth, which may increase the risk of tooth decay.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): It is a mental disorder with symptoms such as excessive thoughts or ideas (obsessions) leading to repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
Depression: It is a mood disorder associated with symptoms such as sadness, unable to sleep properly, or enjoy life as you used to do. Depression can also influence some chronic health conditions and relationships. The exact cause of depression is unknown, but it may be associated with mental problems, trauma, family history, drug use, and medical conditions.
Panic disorder: It is linked to anxiety with sudden feelings of fear when there is no danger in reality.
FAQs
Clomipramine contains Clomipramine that works by increasing the activity of serotonin and noradrenaline (chemical messengers) in the brain that are involved in regulating mood, behavior, and emotions. Thereby, Clomipramine helps in relieving depression, lighten the mood and relieve anxiety symptoms such as fear and panic.
Yes, Clomipramine may be used to treat panic disorder by reducing fear. However, please consult a doctor before using Clomipramine.
You are not recommended to take Clomipramine with buprenorphine as co-administration of these medicines may lead to a severe condition called ‘serotonin syndrome’ and cause symptoms such as blurred vision, stomach cramps, fits, diarrhea, hallucination, extreme changes in blood pressure, confusion, excessive sweating, increased heart rate, fever, shivering or shaking, tremor, incoordination, muscle spasm or stiffness. However, please consult a doctor before taking Clomipramine with other medicines.
Yes, Clomipramine may cause self-harming or suicidal thoughts especially in patients aged less than 25 years or who have a history of self-harming thoughts. Therefore, please consult a doctor immediately if you experience any such thoughts while taking Clomipramine.
Clomipramine may cause impotence (inability to maintain an erection) in males and may decrease sexual desire (libido) in both men and women. However, if you experience any such problems while taking Clomipramine, please consult a doctor immediately.
It takes about 2 weeks or longer usually for Clomipramine to work. However, it is recommended to use Clomipramine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you.
Yes, Clomipramine may cause weight gain due to an increase in the appetite. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are recommended while taking Clomipramine to maintain proper body weight. However, if you notice any major changes in weight, please consult a doctor.
