Anafranil

Anafranil

     * Generic Name: clomipramine hcl
     * Brand Name: Anafranil


     * What is clomipramine (Anafranil)?
     * What are the possible side effects of clomipramine (Anafranil)?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       clomipramine (Anafranil)?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       clomipramine (Anafranil)?
     * How should I take clomipramine (Anafranil)?
     * What happens if I miss a dose (Anafranil)?
     * What happens if I overdose (Anafranil)?
     * What should I avoid while taking clomipramine (Anafranil)?
     * What other drugs will affect clomipramine (Anafranil)?
     * Where can I get more information (Anafranil)?

What is clomipramine (Anafranil)?

   Clomipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant. It affects
   chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced.

   Clomipramine is used to treat symptoms of obsessive-compulsive
   disorder (OCD) such as recurrent thoughts or feelings and
   repetitive actions.

   Clomipramine may also be used for purposes not listed in this
   medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of clomipramine (Anafranil)?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
   throat.

   Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can
   affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever,
   swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness,
   unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. This reaction may
   occur several weeks after you began using clomipramine.

   Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or
   behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if
   you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless,
   hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts
   about suicide or hurting yourself.

   Call your doctor at once if you have:
     * blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or
       seeing halos around lights;
     * rapid heart rate, tremors or shaking;
     * confusion, extreme fear, thoughts of hurting yourself;
     * painful or difficult urination; or
     * a seizure (convulsions).

   Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin
   syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating,
   shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of
   coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

   Common side effects may include:
     * dry mouth, nausea, upset stomach, loss of appetite,
       constipation;
     * feeling anxious, restless, dizzy, drowsy, or tired;
     * sleep problems (insomnia);
     * appetite or weight changes;
     * memory problems, trouble concentrating;
     * increased sweating, numbness or tingling;
     * vision changes; or
     * decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an
       orgasm.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about clomipramine
(Anafranil)?

   Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past
   14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue
   injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

   Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an
   antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report
   any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

   Anafranil Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Depression Overview:What is Depression?

   Understanding Depression Slideshow
   RxList

   Take the Depression Quiz
   Depression:Tips for Exercise Diet and Stress Reduction

   Depression Tips Slideshow Pictures

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clomipramine
(Anafranil)?

   You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to clomipramine
   or to similar antidepressants (amitriptyline, amoxapine,
   desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline,
   protriptyline, or trimipramine).

   Do not use clomipramine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past
   14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors
   include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine,
   rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

   Before taking clomipramine, tell your doctor if you have used an "SSRI"
   antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as citalopram,
   escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine,
   paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone,
   or vilazodone (Viibryd).

   To make sure clomipramine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have
   ever had:
     * liver disease;
     * kidney disease;
     * bipolar disorder (manic-depression), schizophrenia or
       other mental illness;
     * alcoholism;
     * a seizure or a head injury;
     * heart disease;
     * low blood pressure;
     * narrow-angle glaucoma;
     * overactive thyroid or adrenal gland tumor
       (pheochromocytoma or neuroblastoma); or
     * urination problems.

   Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an
   antidepressant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular
   visits while you are using clomipramine. Your family or other
   caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

   Some medicines can interact with clomipramine and cause a serious
   condition called serotonin syndrome. Be sure your doctor knows if you
   also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or
   medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease,
   migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of
   nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor before making any changes in
   how or when you take your medications.

   It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell
   your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

   Clomipramine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You
   should not breast-feed while you are using this medicine.

   Do not give clomipramine to anyone younger than 18 years old without
   the advice of a doctor.

How should I take clomipramine (Anafranil)?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
   occasionally change your dose. Do not take this medicine in larger or
   smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

   Take clomipramine with food to reduce stomach upset.

   It may take up to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the
   medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not
   improve after 4 weeks of treatment.

   Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

   If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are
   using clomipramine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short
   time.

   Do not stop using clomipramine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant
   withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using
   clomipramine.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

   Anafranil Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Depression Overview:What is Depression?

   Understanding Depression Slideshow
   RxList

   Take the Depression Quiz
   Depression:Tips for Exercise Diet and Stress Reduction

   Depression Tips Slideshow Pictures

What happens if I miss a dose (Anafranil)?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Anafranil)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222. An overdose of clomipramine can be fatal.

   Overdose symptoms may include vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, loss
   of balance or coordination, extreme drowsiness, fever, severe sweating,
   stiff muscles, increased or decreased urination, blue lips or
   fingernails, weak or shallow breathing, fainting, seizure
   (convulsions) or coma.

What should I avoid while taking clomipramine (Anafranil)?

   Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

   This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you
   drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

What other drugs will affect clomipramine (Anafranil)?

   Taking clomipramine with other drugs that make you sleepy can worsen
   this effect. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, opioid pain
   medication, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or
   seizures.

   Many drugs can interact with clomipramine. Not all possible
   interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current
   medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
     * any other antidepressant;
     * cimetidine (Tagamet);
     * clonidine;
     * guanethidine;
     * bladder or urinary medicines such as darifenacin,
       fesoterodine, oxybutynin, tolterodine, solifenacin;
     * bronchodilators such as aclidinium, ipratropium,
       tiotropium, or umeclidinium;
     * cold or allergy medicine;
     * diet pills, stimulants, ADHD medication (such as
       Ritalin or Adderall);
     * medication for Parkinson's disease;
     * medication to treat excess stomach acid, stomach ulcer,
       motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome; or
     * seizure medicine such as phenytoin or phenobarbital.

   Many drugs can interact with clomipramine. This includes prescription
   and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all
   possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Tell your
   doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using
   during your treatment with clomipramine. Give a list of all your
   medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information (Anafranil)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about clomipramine.
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