Clomipramine and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Aus...
• October 19, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I’m 58, suffering from depression, anxiety, and especially OCD. I have been taking Anafranil for 12 years, so I understand it well. My biggest addiction and obsession is my addiction to prostitutes. I have seen about 600 over 30+ years. I take 25 mg Anafranil, as any more, I cannot orgasm, and I get fat and sluggish. Taking more Anafranil does stop my addiction to pros, but my sex addiction just overrides every other thought I have. Please keep on Anafranil for OCD, it does work. Love from Australia."

• pip...
• February 5, 2021

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "The doctor prescribed this for intrusive thoughts and 'pure-O' OCD. The first night on these clomipramine 25 mg pills, I woke in sleep paralysis, and for about a week, had voices telling me to end my life. I had never had voices before, or even depression really. My GP told me to hang in there. But two weeks in, I am no longer hearing the voices or having the thoughts. I no longer feel dull. My symptoms are greatly reduced, and although I still have intrusive thoughts, I move on quickly. My partner says I am very noticeably different. Other side effects I have experienced include: shaky legs in the morning (dissipates quickly), urinary hesitancy, takes longer to reach orgasm but I get there (F, 32), and reduced sex drive, as well as waking like clockwork in the night at between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. to go to the toilet, but I get back to sleep. A weighted blanket has helped with the sleep issues. Hang in there, folks!"

• Rik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 4, 2023

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "My OCD started when I was 30. I took escitalopram for 5 years, in varying doses from 10 mg to 30 mg, also in combination with antipsychotics. It helped alleviate the worst of the anxiety, but my intrusions never went away, and I retained a lot of anxiety. In the end, after 5 years, I switched to clomipramine, which worked much better for me. I would recommend switching earlier to try other drugs to find one that works well for you. For me, the clomipramine worked on a low dose (2x25 mg daily), but I believe that is uncommon. In terms of side effects, I notice a bit of weight increase and everything sexually is a bit less (libido, erections, orgasms). For weight issues, if lifestyle interventions (sports, eating healthier) don't work, I would advise speaking to an MD. For the second, look into buspirone/bupropion (for libido), sildenafil (for erections), and bethanechol chloride (orgasms)."

• Teo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 11, 2022

For Depression "This drug is very effective for depression and generalized anxiety disorder but has ruined my life. I took it for more than two years, at first, the only side effect was delayed ejaculation. After two years of use, I started experiencing low libido and severe erectile dysfunction. I stopped taking it, and 10 months later, I’m still completely impotent, like a 90-year-old man, it seems to be permanent."

• Elv...
• June 27, 2022

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Clomipramine is a fantastic medication for OCD, and it quite frankly saved my life. My OCD, a year and a half ago, was so bad that I couldn’t function doing day-to-day tasks, even feeding myself was difficult! My intrusive thoughts (that I don’t particularly want to share) were probably 90% diminished. However, the sexual side effects have been horrible, which is why it’s not a 10/10. I have taken breaks with clomipramine, but it only ended in tears and relapse. I’m working very hard to treat my sexual side effects while maintaining this incredible treatment for OCD. If you’re struggling with any kind of OCD symptoms, I have no doubt that it will change your life. Great drug!"

• ePo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have had IBS-D for 4 years, and it was gradually becoming worse and worse. Because of depression and OCD, my doctor put me on Anafranil 112.5 mg. In spite of not helping my depression and OCD, it immensely helped my IBS-D. On Anafranil, I rarely have soft stools. And when I do, it is because I didn't follow the low FODMAP diet. My only complaint is that it caused me sexual dysfunction at doses higher than 37.5 mg. It makes sense, as Anafranil is the antidepressant that causes the most sexual dysfunction. If you're searching for a med that can help your anxiety and IBS and doesn't cause as much sexual dysfunction, I would search for amitriptyline or nortriptyline."

• 123...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 27, 2022

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Suffering from pure harm OCD for 5 years now. No compulsions, just thoughts. It starts with the moment I wake up in the morning. Grueling and the most disgusting thoughts you can ever imagine, and an earworm that never stops and changes every day. No therapy has worked. After suffering for one year, I was at my wits' end. So my psychiatrist suggested we try Prozac with an optional conjunction with Abilify. I took it for two years, and it helped for about a 75% remission. Then it pooped out. My obsessions returned to full force, and for about 1.5 years, my suffering continued. I thought Clomipramine and maybe Abilify were my last hope. I started with 37.5 mg and upped my dose to 300 mg with 37.5 mg steps every week. Side effects: dry mouth, urine retention, severe constipation, tiredness, tremor in both hands, loss of libido, blurred vision, some of these disappeared, some didn't. Then I waited. After 7 long months and being on the max dose for over 4 months, I started to notice slight improvements."

• Jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2021

For Panic Disorder "Clomipramine did not work for my panic disorder. The sexual side effects were bad too. I only had success with Nardil (phenelzine). Nardil is the best MAOI, and it cured my panic and depression too. Don't waste your time on SSRIs or tricyclics, ask for Nardil if you want real relief for panic or depression."

• Sma...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 20, 2024

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "It’s effective in OCD, but it can cause impulsivity and sexual dysfunction. It caused weight loss. Lack of reasoning became an issue when it stopped intrusive thoughts. I am able to manage without it for over 25 years now. You need to talk more, go out more. Relaxation can also help."