What Clomipramine is used for:
Clomipramine is used to treat depression (especially if you also need to be sedated), obsessions and phobias (irrational fears).
It is also used along with other medications to treat cataplexy.
Do not use Clomipramine :
Are allergic to clomipramine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
Have ever had a rash or other allergic reaction to any other antidepressants
Have had a heart attack within the last 3 months
Have problems with your heart beat
Have any serious liver disease
Have a mental health condition called mania
Have glaucoma (increased eye pressure)
Have difficulty in passing urine
Are taking, or within the last 3 weeks have taken medicines for depression called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)
Are taking medicines called selective, reversible monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) inhibitors such as moclobemide
Warnings and precautions:
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Clomipramine 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 (hypokalemia)
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 tumor (cancer) of the adrenal gland (such as phaeochromocytoma or neuroblastoma)
Liver disease
Have low blood pressure
Wear contact lenses
Are elderly
Possible side effects:
Stop using the product and seek immediate medical attention if you develop throat tightness or swelling of the eyes, face, lips or tongue, feel faint, or have difficulty breathing.
Stop using the product if you develop hives or itching of the face or body.
Other medicines and Clomipramine:
Clomipramine interacts with a large number of other medicines.
Make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows if you are taking any of the following:
Medicines for depression, particularly maois
Diuretics
Anesthetics
Antihistamines
Medicines for other mental health conditions such as schizophrenia or manic depression
Medicines for high blood pressure e.g.Guanethidine, betanidine, reserpine, clonidine or alpha
Methyldopa or norepinephrine
Norepinephrine (noradrenaline)
Medicines to treat heart disorders
Beta-blockers
Anticoagulants
Aspirin and similar pain killing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids)
Medicines for Parkinson's Disease
Nicotine
Anticonvulsants
Decongestants
Cimetidine
Methylphenidate
Rifampicin
Quinine
Strong painkillers such as tramadol, nefopam, morphine or morphine related substances
Drugs of abuse including Ecstasy
Atropine or similar medicines
Medicines containing estrogens
Medicines called protease inhibitors, used to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Terbinafine
Colestipol, cholestyramine
John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Disulfiram
Altretamine
Baclofen
Pentamidine
Levacetylmethadol
How to use Clomipramine:
The recommended dose is:
For depression a starting dose of 10 mg which can be increased to find a dose that works for you.
This is normally 30 - 150 mg daily or up to a maximum of 250 mg daily for severe conditions.
For obsessions and phobias, a starting dose of 25 mg which can be increased to 100 - 150 mg daily.
For cataplexy a starting dose of 10 mg which can be increased to a maximum of 75 mg daily.
How to store Clomipramine :
Store Clomipramine capsules below 25°C in a dry place.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date, which is stated on the pack or bottle.
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.