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Anafranil Antidepressant : Clomipramine

Brand Name: Clomipramine

Clomipramine ( Anafranil )is a antidepressants from the heterocyclic antidepressants family of drugs. Clomipramine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause obsessive-compulsive disorder. CLOMIPRAMINE (Anafranil®) is an antidepressant. Clomipramine can help patients with an obsessive compulsive disorder. It relieves the anxiety and unpleasant thoughts that make patients repeat everyday tasks (like hand-washing) many times. Clomipramine helps to maintain a normal lifestyle. Your prescriber or health care professional may prescribe clomipramine for other conditions. Generic clomipramine capsules are available.

Uses of Anafranil

• This drug is used mainly in the treatment of OCD ( obsessive-compulsive disorder ) but is also used to relief symptoms of arm burning,endogenous depression,hair pulling syndromes, nail biting,panic attacks,phobias,or PMS.
• It is used in the treatment of narcolepsy and to relieve the pain of arthritis, cancer, diabetic disease, herpes lesions, migraines, tension headaches, or tic douloureux.
• It may also help decrease the repetitive symptoms in autistic persons.
  

How to Take Anafranil

• Take Anafranil with meals, at first, to avoid stomach upset. After your regular dosage has been established, you can take 1 dose at bedtime to avoid sleepiness during the day. Always take it exactly as prescribed.
• If you take 1 dose at bedtime, consult your doctor. Do not take the missed dose in the morning. If you take 2 or more doses a day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
• It may be 4 weeks or more before you start to feel better, but do not stop taking clomipramine without first talking to your doctor.
  

What are the Side Effects of Anafranil Medication

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Anafranil. More common side effects may include:

• Abdominal pain
• abnormal dreaming
• abnormal tearing
• abnormal milk secretion
• agitation
• allergy
• anxiety
• appetite loss
• back pain
• chest pain
• confusion
• constipation
• coughing
• depression
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• extreme sleepiness
• failure to ejaculate
• fast heartbeat
• fatigue
• fever
• inability to concentrate

Warnings and precautions before taking Anafranil Medication

• If you have narrow-angle glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) or are having difficulty urinating, Anafranil could make these conditions worse. Use Anafranil with caution if your kidney function is not normal.
• Anafranil may cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.

What drugs may interact with Anafranil Tablet

If Anafranil is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Anafranil with the following:

• Barbiturates such as phenobarbital
• Certain blood pressure drugs such as Ismelin and Catapres-TTS
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• Drugs that ease spasms, such as Donnatal, Cogentin, and Bentyl
• Flecainide (Tambocor)
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
• Major tranquilizers such as Haldol and Thorazine
• MAO inhibitors such as Nardil and Parnate
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Propafenone (Rythmol)
• Quinidine (Quinidex)
• Serotonin-boosting drugs such as the antidepressants Luvox, Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft
• Thyroid medications such as Synthroid
• Tranquilizers such as Xanax and Valium
• Warfarin (Coumadin)

What to do if you take Overdose of Anafranil ?

An overdose of Anafranil can be fatal. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately. Critical signs and symptoms of Anafranil overdose may include:

• Impaired brain activity (including coma)
• irregular heartbeat
• seizures
• severely low blood pressure
• Agitation
• bluish skin color
• breathing difficulty
• delirium
• dilated pupils
• drowsiness
• high fever
• incoordination
• little or no urine output
• muscle rigidity
• overactive reflexes
• rapid heartbeat
• restlessness
• severe perspiration
• shock
• stupor
• twitching or twisting movements
• vomiting

How to Store Anafranil ?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.