Anafranil and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• hap...
• February 9, 2014

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have suffered from obsessive thoughts for 26 years. I have tried different medications over the years. I was on Paxil for 10 years, but I never ever felt totally well, and I slowly stopped taking it and became very ill. I started taking clomipramine again seven years ago. Again, it saved my life, and I have been able to have a successful career. I take 250 mg a day. I hate the side effect of weight gain, but I will never sacrifice my mental health to lose weight."

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2012

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "After three years on different antipsychotics, I started taking this finally to some relief. I have been taking it now for about six months. It is still working well for obsessing, but the side effects are starting to add up. I have steadily gained weight. Severe dry mouth at first, not so bad now though. Total anorgasmia fixed by Viagra, and uncontrolled twitching. It sounds bad when I write it down but compared to the antipsychotics it's much better. I still feel better than I have and so much happier."

• Anonymous
• September 22, 2009

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "After taking this medicine, I woke up one morning to realize that I felt connected to the world, and when I started to do my rituals, I realized that I just didn't need to. Amazing. The problem was that I gained 40 pounds, and the high dosage, necessary (over 200), scared me. I would recommend that a person try it and see if a lower dosage will work for them. If so, it's a miracle."

• Cal...
• April 13, 2009

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "From reading the medical literature, this is probably the most effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder, but the side effects led me to change. After a year of use, I switched to a less taxing medication. The weight gain was too much, and it made me more confrontational with others. However, for bringing my initial problem down to a manageable level before switching, Anafranil was a lifesaver."

• 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."

• Bca...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 23, 2022

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "This is the only medicine that ever did anything for my OCD. I have tried everything!! (Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Prozac) It does have some side effects. The bothersome ones for me are weight gain (not extreme like 5-10 lbs) & fatigue. I recommend taking it at night before bed because it can make you tired. If your body can adapt to the side effects, it's worth it. Especially if you have intrusive thoughts. I have obsessive checking behaviors & I also pick my skin, which is considered the same type of disorder as trichotillomania. Anafranil helped me completely stop this. I had no desire to think about it or do it anymore, it was crazy. If you have tried a lot of other things, give it a try in low doses, slowly. It will get better, little by little."

• Ser...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 18, 2022

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "For those who are comparing OCD medications, you should note that Anafranil and Clomipramine are the same medication. Personally, I’ve found this medication to be the most effective for OCD, essentially removing all intrusive thoughts I had for the most part, as well as allowing me to easily dismiss or accept whatever intrusive thoughts did rarely arise, without it provoking an anxious response, meaning they could pass from my mind without issue. Unfortunately, however, the medication suddenly stopped working for me after a 3-year period and left me taking something much less effective. This has left me hoping that one day I’ll be able to go back on Clomipramine and that it’d work again, or that I could find another medication just as effective, if not more effective. It is an older medication, so it can have more side effects. Personally, I only had two: weight gain and orthostatic hypertension, however, the latter only appeared after a large dose increase much later."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 17, 2022

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "This medication has helped me immensely with my OCD. It has been life-changing. The only side effect I would like to warn people about is, I take Anafranil at bedtime, I have hunger pangs all night, and although it helps me fall asleep, the hunger pangs wake me up at 1 and 2 am. It’s not a normal hunger either, it can’t be satisfied, and it makes me crave carbohydrates like pretzels, sweets, etc. I gained weight initially on it because I didn’t look into this side effect. I am now more mindful, I jog on the treadmill, and I try to watch my calories during the day and find snacks low in calories, so if you wake up hungry, you can eat and go back to sleep. The weight can come off, you just wanted to let people know. I find Zoloft helped my OCD just as much without the crazy hunger."