Clomipramine
Description
Clomipramine is an antidepressant which is used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Take this medicine at the same time regularly. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without informing your doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Clomipramine
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Swelling of face and feet
- Acid or sour stomach
- Constipation
- Shaking of hands or feet
- Mouth ulcers
- Irregular menstrual periods
Uses of Clomipramine
What is it prescribed for?
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed in 2 to 6 hours.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 4 hours and 7 to 8 hours for an active metabolite.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol with this medicine is not recommended as it can result in dizziness and difficulty in concentration. Avoid activities that need mental alertness like driving or operating heavy machinery.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women.
Allergy
Not recommended in patients with known allergy to Clomipramine or other tricyclic antidepressants.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)
Clomipramine is not recommended in patients who have taken Monoamine oxidase inhibitors within the last 14 days.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women.
General warnings
Suicidal thoughts
Use with caution in the patients with major depressive disorder due to the increased risk of suicidal thoughts. Close monitoring of these symptoms is necessary. Inform the doctor if these symptoms worsen.
Serotonin Syndrome
This medicine may cause potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome. Immediate medical treatment should be initiated if any symptoms of agitation, hallucinations, dizziness, tremor, seizures, nausea, and vomiting appear.
Effect on heart
This medicine may lower the blood pressure, therefore should be used with caution in patients with heart diseases. Close monitoring of blood pressure is necessary. Inform the doctor if any symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness appear.
Impaired liver function
This medicine may increase the levels of liver enzymes like AST and ALT. Periodic monitoring of liver parameters is necessary. Lower or less frequent dosing is preferred in the patients with severe liver injury.
Body weight
This medicine may either cause weight loss or weight gain. Inform the doctor if you experience any changes in the body weight.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly as it may cause withdrawal symptoms like nausea, headache, anxiety, dizziness, and irritability. Gradual dose reduction should be made under the doctor's supervision.
Pediatric population
This medicine is not recommended for children under the age of 10 years.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose. Schedule H
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Consumption of alcohol with Clomipramine may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating.
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol with this medicine is not recommended as it can result in dizziness and difficulty in concentration. Avoid activities that need mental alertness like driving or operating heavy machinery.
Interaction with Medicine
Tramadol
Antihypertensives
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Disease interactions
Depression
Use with caution the patients suffering from depression and other psychiatric disorders due to the increased risk of suicidal thoughts especially at the beginning of the treatment and at the time of dose change. Discontinue the medicine and inform the doctor if these symptoms appear.
Seizures
Clomipramine may increase the risk of seizures. Inform the doctor if you have any history of seizures or any head injury. The dose of this medicine should be adjusted based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Clomipramine as instructed by your doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by increasing the levels of a chemical substance in the brain which helps in reducing the symptoms by maintaining the normal brain function.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Tricyclic antidepressants
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 11 May 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Clomipramine hydrochloride capsule [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 11 May 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 11 May 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 11 May 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.