Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Muz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2019

"I started using this drug, clomipramine, 5 weeks ago. I had been on Lexapro, which didn't help. After 3 months, my doctor put me on clomipramine as he diagnosed me with OCD. I had bad anxiety, depression, and major intrusive thoughts continuously all day long. I'm now up to 100 mg, four tablets at night just before bed. I also have to use sleeping tablets to get to sleep at the moment, but the intrusive thoughts have calmed down a lot. In the mornings, I wake up a little tired. I get mild constipation and dry mouth. Is 100 mg too big of a dose? Also, is it best to take this medication at night or morning? How long does it take to get the full benefit of this medication? Muzz"

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2024

"Started on clomipramine after being on SSRIs for 20 years. Weaned off Lexapro 40 mg and started on 25 mg of clomipramine. The first month has been rough, no sleep, extreme constipation, dry mouth, and anxiety, but 5 weeks in it’s getting easier and helping my OCD more than anything ever has. It’s also helped with my depression and irritability. I am now on 100 mg 5 weeks in, and things are looking better. Only side effects now are dry mouth and constipation."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2015

"I have been taking this drug for almost 3 months. It has helped significantly with intrusive thoughts and therefore decreased compulsions and being stuck on rituals. More than significant, actually. It is saving me, and I'm able to function better. The problem is I've gained 13 pounds. My hunger is never satisfied! It is always on my mind. I know my mental health is worth gaining some weight; however, it shows no stopping. I am not a thin woman; gaining too much weight makes me unhappy in terms of how I look. I have some joint problems too. Thanks for listening. I do not plan on quitting this med, for, as I said, it works great."

• Anonymous
• March 5, 2013

"I had suffered debilitating OCD from the age of six, and Clomipramine has improved my condition 95%. It also handles my chronic sciatica beautifully. Diminishes pain by about 70%! Constipation and sweating are my only side effects. And that's not much of a problem. I'm 45 and finally enjoy life."

• Mr ...
• March 9, 2016

"Clomipramine began improving my OCD symptoms within a couple of weeks and seems to have all but eliminated my intrusive, repetitive thinking at this point. I still have off days from time to time, but my therapist and doctor both agree that's to be expected. This stuff has taken me from not being able to function to getting back to my life. The only downside is I have experienced some difficulty reaching orgasm. Not every time, but from time to time. Erections are fine and libido is actually increased - due to just feeling so much better. All in all, that's a small price to pay for what feels like a restoration of my basic sanity."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 30, 2019

"I’m 44. Have been living with terrible obsessive thoughts my whole life. Yes, I have depression and anxiety, but even when I felt “happy” and “free” from those, the thoughts wouldn’t stop. I thought I was just a negative person. Started researching and asked my dr if I could try Anafranil. Best decision I ever made. The thoughts were almost gone! Then I switched jobs and had to wait for new insurance to kick in. Anafranil was about $1,100 without insurance. I’m about to start again. The only thing I hate is the terrible dry mouth. Otherwise, it’s amazing!"

• bal...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 18, 2022

Clomipramine "Anafranil gave me very serious balance problems. Within days of it for OCD, I began stumbling up the subway steps. The psychiatrist assured me it could not be from the Anafranil. Over a period of a few years, I twice fell and had to be treated and received facial stitches in the emergency room, lost part of a front tooth, suddenly fell for no apparent reason walking down the street, climbing stairs, going down stairs. I could have had extreme injuries, or in the case of falling down 15 steps at the train station, died. I asked my psychiatrist about Anafranil causing the falls. He said it would not in any way have caused these falls. On reporting my falling to an audiologist, she told me that research shows that Anafranil indeed does lead to balance problems in 30% of people taking it."

• RJR...
• August 4, 2016

"I have tried many of the SSRIs with no success. I was on a tricyclic many years ago with great results. My doctor put me on Clomipramine, and the results were good. I saw a good improvement in racing thoughts with a decrease in anxiety. I should have asked for this drug in the first place. The side effects are rough, though. I experienced excessive sweating, dry mouth, blurry vision, constipation, postural hypotension, and impotence/ejaculatory issues. I remember these effects from years ago when I was on a tricyclic. I would rather live with it than be paralyzed with anxiety."

• Use...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 12, 2018

Clomipramine "I definitely recommend Anafranil to anyone suffering from moderate to severe OCD. While on this medication, I noticed a great reduction in my OCD symptoms, and it had elevated my mood even. Though a few of this medication's side effects might be a little troublesome, generally, you get used to it, and it isn't life-changing."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 10, 2023

"Just like the majority of the people here, clomipramine has saved my life. I've had OCD since I left the womb, but one summer my cortisol levels rose so high that my body thought I was having a panic attack 24/7 for 3 months. I couldn't work, I could hardly eat, I cried for hours thinking terrible thoughts. One week on clomipramine... what thoughts? It has reduced my intrusive thoughts to a minimum, and when I do have them, they don't send me into a panic. It's just a fleeting thought that's gone as soon as it started. Try it. Try it. Try it. Give yourself the opportunity to feel well again."

• Tsu...
• December 3, 2016

"I have severe OCD, depression, and social anxiety. After reaching the dose of 100 mg per day, this med was extremely effective for my depression, OCD, and social anxiety. In fact, it is the only med I have tried that has been very effective for my social anxiety. It absolutely changed my life in just 2-3 weeks after starting it. One catch, though: it caused really bad difficulty urinating. It was to the point that I had to get off the med. I will say, though, after trying around 16-20 psych meds over the course of 10 years, it is the most effective, hands down. I'm actually starting it again because the trade-off really is worth it."

• Gin...
• August 17, 2017

"I have been on clomipramine for 33 years. I have had OCD since I was 5 years old and finally went to a psychiatrist when it became too debilitating to even leave the house when I was 34 years old. It was the first medication that the psychiatrist tried on me. Period. Within two months, my OCD, intrusive thoughts, and panic attacks were 99% gone, and they continue to be. Side effects were pretty bad for the first couple of months, and the loss of sexual interest lasted a year, but then it came back and felt normal again. I do not know why this drug is so expensive since it is a generic. I know it is an older drug and not widely prescribed anymore, but without insurance, it is $800 a month. With my insurance, I pay $75 a month."

• Che...
• September 29, 2016

"This drug is a lifesaver. I have been on every other new/old medication. Nothing is as effective as clomipramine in my experience with my condition. Side effects were pretty severe, but after almost 5 years, they are pretty much non-existent. I suffer from OCD, GAD, and MDD."

• Gin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2022

"I always swore I’d found a drug that helped me, that I would come back onto this site and post a review. After suffering from anxiety and depression for over 10 years, my diagnosis changed in the past 2 years, and I was crippled by pure OCD (obsessional thoughts but no compulsions). I tried Citalopram, Sertraline, Mirtazapine, and now Clomipramine. When I first tried this drug, I had no hope and couldn’t see a way out of the dark place I was in. I had no faith in therapy or drugs as both had failed. The initial week was tough - side effects included increased anxiety, jitteriness, nausea, etc. But I pushed through these, and within 2 to 3 weeks, I started to see light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve been on 100 mg now for 3 months, and this tablet has honestly saved my life. I was at a stage where I couldn’t do anything but think about my intrusive thoughts, and nothing brought me joy. My obsessional thoughts are now reduced by over 80%!!!"

• uue...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 1, 2024

"Clomipramine has been a game-changer in my battle against OCD. Its effectiveness in reducing obsessions and compulsions has truly transformed my life. I've experienced significant relief from anxiety and regained control over my daily activities. Clomipramine has been a beacon of hope on my journey to overcoming OCD, and I highly recommend it to others struggling with this disorder."

• 24h...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 26, 2016

"Clomipramine has done a wonderful job for my dermatillomania. I've tried many different meds, and this one works the best. I think it caused a bit of weight gain, but that could've been due to my hypothyroidism! I'm on thyroid meds now, so I'll check back when stable and metabolism starts getting in gear. I'm on 75-100 mgs daily of the Anafranil. I don't plan on going off this med in the near future!"

• Ale...
• June 4, 2016

"I have terrible OCD, and I went on this drug after Celexa stopped working after about 10 years. This drug is a miracle. Within 3 days, my OCD was subsiding. It took about 2 months to really see the complete effects. With that being said, there are more side effects than anything I've ever taken. I get manic from this medicine, constipation, trouble swallowing occasionally, sexual anorgasmia, and insane weight gain. I eat an amazing plant-based, paleo, and grain-free diet, and I still gain weight if I eat any fruit. But if you want a drug that's incredibly effective, this is a great option."

• OCD...
• February 3, 2017

"I've been taking clomipramine for a year now. I started at 200 mg and went quickly up to 300 mg (the max you can take). It gives me a very dry mouth and constipation. Also remember that this drug needs to be given in very high dosages to work (200 mg-300 mg). If a doctor just gives you 10 or 50 mg, it's not going to work. Also, this is an older drug, you likely will have to ask for it by name. I have pure obsessive disorder (no compulsions) and tried Prozac before this with no success. A few days on this and I noticed a big difference. I've been maintaining on 300 mg for a year now. I don't like the side effects, but I won't go off of it because it's been an amazing drug that works for me. It took away about 90%, and now I can easily manage what's left."

• Geo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 26, 2018

Clomipramine "Been on since 1990, 25 mg at bedtime, and has worked fantastically for my OCD, which surfaced after a grand mal seizure. Generic ineffective - try to use the brand. Worst side effect is yawning, can also open the capsule and dilute in water partially if needed."

• eli...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 6, 2021

"This drug changed my life. After having OCD since early childhood, and it getting increasingly debilitating through adolescence, I was finally put on this after trialing many SSRIs and Effexor. I feel like it's literally impossible for me to feel anxiety on clomipramine, and my depression has disappeared too. I've been on it around 18 months now. The side effects at the start were terrible, not going to sugarcoat it. I fainted so much, couldn't poop for so long (got hospitalized because it got that bad), but magnesium citrate helps that. Give it time to work. There is a reason this medication is so well-rated once it's in your system."

• ste...
• April 22, 2015

"I was on 150 mg Anafranil daily for over 10 years. My OCD was completely being managed. All of a sudden, about 6 months ago, I go to get it filled and it's too expensive. I'm talking $275.00. I'm on disability and couldn't afford it. I'm now going through a very bad bout of depression. Just lie in bed all day, no appetite, losing weight, no interest in even going to the mailbox. My doctor started me on Prozac one week ago. So far, no improvement. I'm scared. Haven't been this depressed in such a long time."

• Pka...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 7, 2017

"I have been on this drug for 16 years, and it has been a lifesaver. The side effects were pretty intense at the start, mainly constipation, dry mouth, and I gained 15 pounds. I persevered with the side effects for about 3 months because I just felt so damn normal. The side effects went away, and weight returned to normal. I believe the only long-term side effect is excessive sweating. Oh well, I can live with that! I tried about 9 different meds for anxiety and depression, and none of them gave me any side effects at all. 1 week on clomipramine, and I was constipated big time and had major dry mouth but had joy back in my life! Can't live without it! Cost has gone up in Canada because I believe there are no longer any generic manufacturers."

• Ark...
• April 20, 2017

"I have had severe OCD since I was 14 years old. I suffer from obsessions alone. I also suffer from Bipolar I. I was on Luvox or Fluvoxamine for 15 years, and it took away most of my obsessions. After 15 years, it no longer worked, and it took much convincing for my psychiatrist to allow me to start on clomipramine. I have been taking clomipramine for 6 weeks. I was surprised at how few side effects I have. I can see well now, I couldn't see well on Fluvoxamine. Even with a new prescription, I could not see a street sign. I have no problems with clomipramine. More doctors should offer this drug."

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 17, 2018

"This really does help after suffering from depersonalization (DP), OCD, and panic attacks for decades. I finally begged my psychiatrist to let me try this drug. I had literally tried every antidepressant and even some antipsychotic medication. All the other drugs I tried were kind of useless, so when I tried this drug, I was a bit hesitant. Though it really does help with OCD and DP, the 'terrible' thoughts started to fade after a few weeks, so the domino effect is that this decreases anxiety. I am not totally OCD and anxiety-free, and I don't think I ever will be, but this drug really takes the edge off it. The side effects are a bit tough, yet again, lack of sex drive and also annoyingly constipation, but it is well worth it. If the standard SSRIs are not working, I would totally recommend this drug, for me, it has been a lifesaver."

• Pdr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 4, 2018

"I've had problems with my OCD since I was approximately 13 years old, with its peak at 22 years. I've tried several SSRIs and other types of antidepressants, but with this, I'm almost totally anxiety-free since a year back."