Anafranil and Constipation: What Users Say

• hel...
• November 11, 2013

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "It has worked really well for my severe OCD, depression, anxiety, and panic. It stabilizes my mood too. The side effects are awful for me, though. Sexual side effects (like my genitals are numb) and severe constipation are the two side effects that keep me from being on a more therapeutic dose. At 100mg, the side effects are bad. At 50mg I'm OK in terms of side effects, but the benefits are minimal. I will be going up to 75mg and see how that goes. In the past, I had been on 150mg and then 200mg. I had never been happier. I think I may have been too happy rather than normally happy, though."

• Liv...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 2, 2017

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been taking Anafranil 100mg for a year now and it has changed my life. I have battled with OCD, severe anxiety, panic disorders, and intrusive thoughts since I was young. While trying different drugs, finally at the age of 40, one drug works for me and this is it. I still have the 'thoughts' but instead of obsessing over them, they pass by like moving cars. The side effects are bothersome: dealing with constipation, bloating, sweating, insomnia, twitches. I don't believe I can ever function without this medication and instead maybe lower my dosage to see if it reduces the side effects."

• Tha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I had a break up and was suffering extreme anxiety and depression. I was not functioning at work, in life, and suffered for several months. I was getting worse and worse, not sleeping, and finally broke down and decided to take an antidepressant. After about 4 days, something changed a little. Within two weeks, my anxiety went away, and I began sleeping again as well. I weaned off of the Ativan I was taking, and this drug saved my life. I probably would have been hospitalized if I didn't go on it. Side effects: sweating (a lot), constipation, and of course, ejaculatory issues, but I could still have sex with my partner. These side effects were easy to deal with when compared to my anxiety. Saved my life!"

• Anonymous
• June 17, 2011

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I've been using Anafranil for 6 years. It has helped me a lot. On occasion, I still struggle with obsessive thoughts but have been able to bring it under control both times by myself. I rated this an 8 because of dry mouth and constipation problems. Eat your fiber big time. After several years, the dry mouth problem got better and only returns when I'm under stress. I sleep well on this drug and did not sleep as well on the SSRIs."

• BeF...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I took Anafranil for 5 months at a dose of 25 mgs. Definitely took some power away from the intrusive thoughts, but not fully. Had a hard time with being tired in the morning, terrible dreams, mild constipation. On a positive note, I did not gain any weight and was able to work out regularly. Tried to go up to 50 mg, but that got rid of my libido. Felt like taking an upper and downer at the same time. Some of the time, I felt good, other times, I felt depressed. Unfortunately, couldn’t tolerate a higher dose. But if you really need to shut off the noise, this may be the way to go. Best of luck."

• Sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 19, 2021

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Anafranil helped my OCD symptoms a little bit and helped me sleep at night. However, as my doctor increased my dosage, I started gaining weight, having horrible acne, and severe constipation. It also made me crave junk food like some kind of addict. I was on Anafranil for about 10 months and gained 40 lbs. I haven't taken Anafranil in about 8 months. I've lost the 40 lbs. I didn't have to go on a diet or anything, as soon as I was off the drug, my appetite went back to normal. However, 8 months later, and my colon is still not healthy. I still have major issues with constipation and bloating. My doctor had me try Zyliss, a drug for IBS, and it helps a little. I feel like Anafranil may have ruined my gut. I have a hard time leaving the house because I am so uncomfortable in my gut. I wish I had never taken this drug. I was much better off before."

• Phi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2023

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "So far, I have been on 25 mg for about 2 weeks. It has given me much more headspace than other antidepressants I've tried so far. Sometimes I can now redirect my attention and not fixate on the thoughts. Obsessive thoughts do still come, though, but I need to put in the work in ERP anyways. I am having good hopes for increasing the dose now. The only issue is it makes me really constipated right now. But compared to every other antidepressant, I believe this is one of the best for OCD."

• Inf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2022

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "My experience with Anafranil over the past 3 months is as follows: severely chronic constipation, urinary retention that hospitalized me the other day, a 60 percent increase in my depression, a 90 percent increase in my overall anxiety, and at best a 15 percent decrease in my OCD symptoms. Not to mention the sexual dysfunction that includes painful orgasms and low libido, and then there's the constant dry mouth. I cannot for the life of me recommend this medication to anyone. I'm currently 5 days away from discontinuing this medication and replacing it with Prozac."