Anafranil
Cheaper & Alternative Brands
Same generic (Clomipramine Hydrochloride), same form (Tablet)
Clinical Prescribing Information
Medical monograph and safety information for healthcare professionals & patients.Indications & Clinical Uses
Anafranil is used to treat-
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Depression.
Contraindications
Patients who have shown hypersensitivity to Clomipramine Hydrochloride or hypersensitivity to other tricyclic antidepressants belonging to the dibenzazepine group
Patient with acute recovery phase following a myocardial infarction
Should not be used in with MAO (Monoamine Oxidase) inhibitors within 14 days
Side Effects & Adverse Reactions
The most frequent side effects are gastrointestinal disturbances, Headache, dizziness, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, increased sweating, shaking hands, tremor, difficulty in passing urine, problems with their eyes, feeling tired or sleepy, sexual disturbance, restlessness.
Warnings & Precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Anafranil if you:
have ever had suicidal thoughts
suffer from epilepsy (fits)
have had a head injury or have suffered brain damage
are going to have electric shock therapy (ECT)
have other problems with your heart
have been told you have a low level of potassium in your blood (hypokalaemia). The doctor will need to treat this before you start taking clomipramine
have kidney disease
suffer from schizophrenia or other mental health conditions
have a blood disorder
have an overactive thyroid gland
have had severe constipation for a long time
have a tumour (cancer) of the adrenal gland (such as phaeochromocytoma or neuroblastoma)
liver disease
have low blood pressure
wear contact lenses
Pharmacology & Mechanism of Action
Clomipramine Hydrochloride is an original tricyclic antidepressant, a member of the dibenzazepine group of compounds. It is presumed to influence obsessive and compulsive behaviors through it's effects on serotonergic neuronal transmission. The actual neurochemical mechanism is unknown but it has the capacity to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin (5-HT) which is thought to be important (like obsessions, compulsion) thus hampers social acquaintance.