Clomipramine

Prescription Clomipramine Drug Information

Depression: the exact cause of depression is not known. It can develop for no apparent reason or it may be triggered by a life event such as a relationship problem, bereavement, or illness. With depression you have a consistently low mood and other symptoms severe enough to interfere with your normal day-to-day activities. Phobias and obsessions: a phobia is strong fear or dread of a thing or an event, which is out of proportion to the reality of the situation. Obsessions are unpleasant thoughts, images, or urges that keep coming into your mind. Both of these can cause feelings of distress and can prevent you from getting on with normal activities. Clomipramine can help ease the symptoms in each of these conditions. It is thought to work by interfering with brain chemicals (such as serotonin) which may be involved in causing the symptoms. Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking clomipramine it is important that your doctor knows: If you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If you have an overactive thyroid gland. If you have any problems with the way your liver works. If you have epilepsy or sugar diabetes. If you have had problems with constipation over a long time. If you have any difficulties passing urine, or if you have had prostate trouble. If you have a heart disorder or blood vessel disease. If you have had a mental health problem (in particular, bipolar disorder or psychosis). If you have glaucoma (increased pressure in your eyes). If you have been told you have phaeochromocytoma (a tumour on your adrenal gland). If you have porphyria (this is a rare inherited blood disorder). If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines. This is especially important if you have recently taken a medicine for depression, known as a monoamine-oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine. How to take clomipramine It is usual to take clomipramine once a day at bedtime, although it can also be taken in smaller doses two or three times a day. If you have any questions about what dose to take, ask your pharmacist for advice. If you are taking clomipramine for depression, you may feel that it is not working for you straightaway. It can take a week or two for the effect to build up, and 4-6 weeks before you feel the full benefit. It is important that you do not stop taking it thinking it is not helping. Also, while you feel depressed, you may have distressing thoughts, and think about harming yourself or ending your life. If this happens, it is very important that you tell your doctor about this straightaway. Your doctor may ask you to carry on taking clomipramine even after you feel better. This is to help stop your symptoms from returning.