Clomipramine

Clomipramine is a drug that is used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is not entirely clear how the drug works, but it is thought that the medication helps alleviate the symptoms of OCD by allowing certain chemicals (serotonin and norepinephrine) to stay in the brain for a longer period of time. The medication comes in a tablet form and is generally taken one to three times a day. Prior to taking the medication, be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have bipolar disorder, any allergies, or heart problems.

 

What Is Clomipramine?

Clomipramine hydrochloride (Anafranil®) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults, teens, and children.
 
(Click What Is Clomipramine Used For? for more information on what clomipramine is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Clomipramine?

Clomipramine is made by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. Generic clomipramine is made by several manufacturers of generic medications.
 

How Does Clomipramine Work?

Clomipramine belongs to a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It is not entirely clear how clomipramine works. Clomipramine does affect several chemicals in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. It is thought that perhaps clomipramine allows these chemicals to stay in the brain longer, which can help with symptoms of OCD.
 
Even though clomipramine is classified as a tricyclic antidepressant (due the chemical structure of the molecule), it actually acts much like a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs are a newer group of antidepressant medications, and many people consider clomipramine to be an SSRI, even though it is technically a tricyclic antidepressant.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;