Clomipramine and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• Pre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 19, 2024

For Depression "I've been taking SSRIs since I was 18 for MDD. All of them: Paroxetine, fluoxetine, sertraline, duloxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, and Wellbutrin and so on. Nothing worked. I'm under therapy for 5 years, nothing happened. I told my psychiatrist I'm willing to go under ECT, because I have had enough, I don't want to die, and she brought up clomipramine. In my country, it is extremely rarely prescribed, only for absolutely treatment-resistant major depression. She prescribed it to me. We started with 25mg, now we are at 150mg, and man... It changed my life. I could leave alprazolam, I sleep like a baby, and I feel like a normal human being. Taking a shower is no longer a task, it's a joy. It's making wonders. She saved me from ECT, and it works. I wish I knew about this medicine before I begged for ECT. Give it a try, give it 6 months, you will feel amazing. The only side effect is no libido, but I could not care less, I just want to live. Props to my doc."

• 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."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2023

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "This medication saved my life. I was dealing with intrusive thoughts every moment of my waking day, as well as horrible nightmares. From the first dose, I got some relief, and now the thoughts are gone entirely. It made me groggy at first and led to some insomnia, but it's gotten better. Sexual dysfunction, though, but having my mind back is the most important thing to me."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• GSa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 7, 2021

For Depression "This drug was a breakthrough drug for me. I’d tried everything from Prozac to ketamine with partial success. Clomipramine leveled out my problems getting to sleep and staying asleep. Ideation was just a fact of life for me until I started this drug. Of course, counseling, exercise, diet, and stress management are part of any worthwhile treatment plan for depression, and those haven’t changed. It’s become easier to make and keep good habits. Orgasms take a bit longer, but what antidepressant doesn’t have that effect in men?"

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2021

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "The lowest dose of clomipramine in combination with Luvox gave me dry mouth, nausea, headaches, loss of taste, weight gain, dizziness, fatigue, feeling like needing to pee, and sexual dysfunction. It made me feel numb inside. Some reduction in the intensity of obsessive thoughts due to being so sedated. This drug is very old and strong and did not work for me at all. I quit cold turkey after four weeks and have never felt so depressed."

• 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."

• 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!!!"

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

Clomipramine 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."

• abb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I started taking clomipramine around 3 weeks ago and have noticed some improvements with my OCD and panic symptoms. I was dissociating and having frequent panic attacks along with obsessive compulsive thoughts and compulsions severely. The first week taking this, I noticed I no longer was having panic attacks, and my depression also improved. By week two, I noticed my OCD symptoms lessened maybe by 50%. (Btw, I am taking 25 mg daily alongside 10 mg of Lexapro.) I like this combo so far, although I am experiencing so many side effects. Every time I stand up, I get extremely dizzy to the point of where I feel like I might faint (I don't know what is causing this), I also am having difficulty peeing, as well as trouble reaching orgasm. Despite the side effects, it is improving my symptoms!"

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

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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."

• Wol...
• November 7, 2017

Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I battled with OCD since being a child, but I was only diagnosed after being hospitalized in my forties. I have been taking clomipramine at 250 mg a day, along with antipsychotics, for the last 5 years. The intrusive thoughts that used to be so crippling have greatly reduced to a level I can handle. Clomipramine saved my life, literally, as I was hospitalized twice for attempted suicide. The only downside is the side effects. For me, as a man, the impotence and loss of libido are difficult to live with, but it's a price worth paying."

• Leo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 3, 2017

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "One of the better drugs I have taken. It sure works - for me, 125 mg completely erased my OCD-related depression and anxiety, but there is a side effects price: excessive sweating, constipation, and reduced libido."

• Gin...
• August 17, 2017

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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."

• Enj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2017

For Panic Disorder "Anafranil is really a wonderful drug. It helps people like me who have generalized anxiety and obsessions. Before this, I used Lexapro, it also did help but not that much and took longer, like about 5-6 weeks, to benefit from it. However, with Anafranil, it took only about one week to 10 days to feel positive results, which made me much calmer and saved me from terrible morning anxiety attacks. I only used 50 mg, and now I've been using 75 mg, and I felt great! Yes, side effects, especially sexual dysfunction, upset me, but it rather turned out to be delayed ejaculation, which is not so bad, especially for my partner. :) To cut a long story short, I really advise you to try this medication if you didn't have relief from SSRIs."

• 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."