Clomipramine and Dry Mouth: What Users Say

• Sha...
• January 17, 2015

Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I take this medication for obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety. This medication has been the saving grace of my life! The only side effects I have experienced are insomnia when I first started it or upped a dose, but it goes away within a few days. And dry mouth. But I feel so much better freed of my obsessional thoughts I don't care! I take 150 mg a day and have been on it for 5 years. No other medicine has ever been so effective for this long, and believe me, I have taken everything you can name!"

• kit...
• April 25, 2018

Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I’ve been suicidal daily for 37 years. Four inpatient visits, two outpatient, 40 years of therapy and 30+ ineffective, neurotoxic meds, all past poop-out, 12+ at a time. At 63, dry mouth has destroyed my teeth and ALL need to be pulled. I have terrifying conscious blackouts up to 24 hours and no short-term memory. For decades I searched for every synonym for uncontrollable thoughts and talking, but nothing fit. Until I heard an OCD trait called ”Memory Hoarding.” Hoard means to protect, not collect, thoughts, feelings, and experiences I fear losing. I tell someone a ”story” about these. Out loud and alone, from when I wake until I sleep. I retell it to embellish, then again to shorten. I do it in my head when I'm talking to people so I feel disconnected. I started 25mg of Anafranil, the highest-rated drug I know, 3 weeks ago. In one week, I stopped feeling suicidal. No panic attacks or rage. I still tell stories, but not out loud, I sometimes can stop a little. Miraculous!"

• kma...
• February 24, 2012

Clomipramine for Panic Disorder "Outstanding medication for obsessive-compulsive stress disorder, panic, agoraphobia. I have been on this medicine for 15 years, and it has eliminated my panic attacks, anxiety, and I am able to leave the house without fear. Side effects include rapid heart rate, dry mouth, sexual dysfunction, and hypotension. I take Anafranil at night. There is absolutely no weight gain, in fact, I lost 50 lbs. I did switch to Zoloft with no success and am back on Anafranil. There were no withdrawal symptoms when tapered off. This is one of the best meds in the TCA class and works better than the new SSRIs for me."

• Kar...
• August 17, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have tried all SSRIs for my OCD, but they made my condition worse and caused me suicidal thoughts, aggression, and depression. Taking those pills for several months (3 to 4 months on each SSRI), I had to quit them because I had several suicide attempts. Then I met with a doctor after years of struggling who gave me clomipramine! It stopped my suicidal thoughts and reduced my OCD by 90%. Now I have very few obsessions which are very easy to handle. They don't affect me. I started with a very low dose and raised it to 50mg within 3 weeks. Then I noticed a first small difference. After that, I slowly increased my dose to 150mg/day in week 5, and after week 7 (on 150mg/day), it reduced my symptoms by 90%. I am a 21-year-old guy and my weight is 50kg. Loss of libido, dry mouth, little constipation, and mild urinary retention can be a problem for you also, but this medicine is worth it, some of the side effects will go over time. It is old, that doesn't mean it won't work. This medicine is WORTH IT!!!"

• Mos...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "The only drug to make a significant difference for me. Has approximately halved my depression, anxiety, and OCD. The main side effect is dry mouth. I can actually enjoy life now after twenty years of misery."

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2020

For Panic Disorder "I started on clomipramine at a dose of 50 mg daily for anxiety, panic disorder, depression, and OCD. I slowly increased the dose by 50 mg and am currently taking 150 mg at bedtime. This medication is an old one, but don’t be fooled by new doctors and new medications. This medication has been a gift from God. At first, I was afraid to start it after reading a lot of reviews about negative side effects. The only thing I’ve had is a little dry mouth. Other than that, my depression is much better, panic attacks are way down to almost nothing, and obsessive thoughts have dropped by about 90%. So overall, this medication has been the best medication I’ve ever been on. I am thankful for my older psychiatrist who had an idea that my depression and panic were coming from mostly obsessive thoughts. I am so grateful to have been put on this medication!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 30, 2015

Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "This medicine saved my teenager from horrible OCD. 200mg at bedtime, dry mouth is the only side effect. Every once in a while he will have an episode, but I am able to talk him through it. He tried every med, this was the only one that worked."

• Bat...
• July 17, 2013

For Depression "This medicine saved my life. I have now been on it for 12 years for anxiety and depression. I tried a whole slew of SSRIs over a three-year period with minimal success prior to clomipramine. A week after starting clomipramine, I started to feel better but had some major side effects (dry mouth, constipation, and later weight gain). With the SSRIs, I had no or minimal side effects. I thought maybe these side effects mean the medicine is working. The side effects continued for about 5-6 weeks, but I started to feel like my old self. I gained about 15 pounds in the first 8 months, but I didn't really care because I could live again and enjoy my family and friends. The weight all came off after about a year with exercise and eating right. Awesome!"

• Geg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 3, 2021

Clomipramine for Depression "I had tried escitalopram (Scippa) and vortioxetine (Trintellix) before, practically both were ineffective. Anafranil has been a miracle for me, within a month, it reduced my severe suffering very effectively and made me much better for 90% of my time. And it was reached quickly with a very small dosage: 20 mg a day. Minor side effects occurred during the first couple of weeks, the most unpleasant was the dry mouth and reduced libido, but it bounced back within weeks."

• Aud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2012

Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have/had severe OCD. I have been on citalopram, Zoloft and Prozac. I was started on 150mg Anafranil, and within what seemed no time at all, my OCD disappeared. Prozac did work for OCD but not on clinical depression. I am now on 200mg. I have had no weight gain (nor did I have on SSRIs). I get a dry mouth sometimes but counteract this with an anti-dry mouth toothpaste."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2023

For Panic Disorder "Had life debilitating panic attacks after my mum died. I couldn’t work or socialize and felt like I was dying too, it was so awful. After a couple of weeks on this drug, I started to get my life back, and now, 4 months in, I feel so good. Only wish I’d been prescribed this years ago, as OCD has affected me all my life. Side effects? A few (tiredness, hot sweats, and a dry mouth - but only in the first few weeks, now all gone). Honestly, this drug has been a lifesaver."

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2012

Clomipramine 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
• June 17, 2011

Clomipramine 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2018

Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been depressed for years and just recently discovered I had OCD. Only 1 or 2 medications would help, and then they would stop. I tried holistic supplements and diet, and nothing helped. I was becoming hopeless, and then I heard about someone who tried Anafranil. I started on 25 mg and gradually went to 150 mg. Finally, after 4 or 5 weeks, I started feeling better. I wanted to get up and go to work in the morning. Side effects were a dry mouth, insomnia, and some dizziness, but I'm hoping they will go away with time. I would recommend it."

• Pin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 23, 2018

For Panic Disorder "Tried a few other SSRI meds such as fluoxetine and sertraline, both made my panic and anxiety worse. The Dr suggested clomipramine, titrated up from 25 mg to 75 mg over 4 weeks. Had some side effects for two weeks, such as dry mouth, headache, and nausea, but these passed. The clomipramine cured my anxiety, panic attacks, mild acrophobia, and dizziness. A truly amazing and often overlooked medication."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Out of all the medicines I have tried for my anxiety/OCD, this one, clomipramine, has worked the best! I take 50 mg a day, and it took about 3-4 weeks to start noticing a difference. I went from OCD thoughts running my life all day/every day to having small thoughts throughout the day that I am able to easily dismiss. My panic attacks are also gone! Side effects have been dry mouth, a little bit of weight gain (maybe 5 pounds), and sexual side effects (delayed ejaculation). This medicine is expensive and has caused a few side effects, BUT IT IS WORTH IT!"

• pcw...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 25, 2016

Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was on Anafranil many years ago. Took it for 5 years. Unfortunately, after 5 years, it stopped working for me. But it is a wonderful medication. Give it a try. More than likely, it will work for you. If not, give fluvoxamine a try. It is another really good one. Only side effect was dry mouth. Small price to pay for the wonderful effects I got from Anafranil. Give it a try. When I took it, there was no co-pay. Nowadays, there probably will be a co-pay, but probably not a bad one."

• hea...
• November 17, 2010

Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Works well for OCD, wonderful for body pain, and moderate for depression (it takes 6-8 weeks for me to see any effect), but the side effects are not pleasant: dry mouth, fatigue, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, and anorgasmia."

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

Clomipramine 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."

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

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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."

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

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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!"

• RJR...
• August 4, 2016

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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."

• OCD...
• February 3, 2017

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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."

• Adr...
• August 18, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I'm a Brazilian boy, and I suffer from GAD, panic, and depression. I was trying to find an alternative to Effexor (which was great but caused sexual problems). After using lots of meds without the same success, my doc prescribed me clomipramine. It did work!!!! And without the sexual side effects. But it has other side effects that I couldn't take, like... everything tasted like rotten meat, my mouth and eyes were always dry (even drinking loads of water), my muscles felt so weak that sometimes I thought I would not have the strength to get out of bed, hands and chin trembling, sweating like hell... it completely dehumanized me. But if you're looking for something to kill your panic, yeah, this will work probably at the smallest dose."