I started taking Anafranil (clomimpramine) about a month ago for clinical depression and OCD. Starting with 10mg and slowly working up to 100mg. I certainly have dry mouth but can deal with that. The strange taste in my mouth is quite annoying and I was wondering how long I can expect it to last.
I find that I am still quite depressed and still have some OCD. Over the last 16 years I have been on other antidepressants, paxil (approx 8 years), zoloft (approx 8 years) wellbutrin (did not work), remeron (it was really bad for me). I also recently tried cymbalta without much success. I was started at 60mg, then to 90mg, back down to 60mg and now 30mg, trying to wean off it and go onto the anafranil simultaneously and eventually going just on the anafranil. MY Psyh dr. is trying anafranil for the depression, OCD and insomnia. How long can I be on this medication or expect it to work? It is so difficult to change medications and I am so tired of feeling hopeless.The OCD is new to me. It came along with this last episode of severe depression that has lasted 9 months and progressed with different stages of severe depression, anxiety, OCD. This is the 4th major episode of depression that I have experienced in my 54 years. It has likely been the worst and by far the longest. Any advise or comments would help. Thank -you.
How long did the strange taste last when taking clomimpramine?
Question posted by Millions on 29 Nov 2009
Last updated on 3 January 2012 by Anonymous
3 Answers
Hello Millions. You'll have to be a bit patient but the anafranil will most likely help with your OCD. You know its trial and error. I took it some years back and although it can't cure (in my case) the OCD. It did help to make it manageable and liveable and thats a major hurdle. Best of wishes,pledge
If the bad taste continues after a couple of weeks I would bring this up to my doctor. Don't get discouraged I think we all have to go through different medication trails until we find what works for us. Its difficult because what works well for someone else might not work for you. Hang in there and good luck. Your not alone we all know how you feel.
Thank -you for the post Lynnette. I did mention the strange taste to my psyh doctor and she seemed like see had never heard of it before and said she didn't know. Also my pharmacist did not know. I discovered the strange taste is a side affect from reading about anafranil on the internet. Have you yourself experienced using anafranil and if you have do you have any comments or advise?
When I was "officially" diagnosed with OCD, I was approx 25 (now 36). Once I learned about the disorder I was able to look into my past behaviors and recognize that I had probably had the disorder since I was at least 12 (if not before).
I have been through the same struggle as you, trying to find the right antidepressant, anti-anxiety med(s)... able to sleep through the night without nightmares/high anxiety dreams and getting through the day with minimal anxiety/obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behaviors. Anafranil is a "tricyclic antidepressant" which is different from the SSRI's (zoloft, paxil). Personally was prescribed "Tofranil" when I was 15, and broke out into hives... so no more tricyclic antidepressants for me. Tricyclic antidepressants are an "older generation" of antidepressants than the SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) or SSNRI's (Selective Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors).
Everyone's body reacts differently to different medications. I was on Zoloft & Trazadone for 6+ years, until I became pregnant with my 2nd child. Had to quit all meds during pregnancy and tried to stay off meds for 2+ years after birth. When anxiety/OCD/depression returned, it seemed natural to try the same meds as before becoming pregnant... only to experience "serotonin syndrome" where I became really sick (had to be accompanied by close friend to emergency clinic because I couldn't formulate my thoughts/feelings/symptoms into sensible sentences)... let alone drive.
Don't how long you'll experience the "strange taste" in your mouth. Finally ended up on 10mg of Lexapro, 1-2 mg Xanax & 1mg Klonopin to treat my OCD/anxiety/depression. I seem to remember a temporary change in my taste-buds... but don't remember how long it lasted. I noticed the effects of Lexapro (good & bad) within just a few days of beginning dose... and now that I type this... my taste buds did seem "blah" while adjusting to it. (Don't jump onto the Lexapro bandwagon if you don't have to... this is not an antidepressant easily "weaned" from... really bad "serotonin withdrawal" symptoms even if I missed a few doses... let alone trying to discontinue or taper dosage!)... But it has been mostly effective... just wouldn't have been my first choice if I'd known the possible withdrawal symptoms or how hard it would be to adjust to the minimal dose.
As I said before, everyone reacts differently to each medication... and antidepressants can take anywhere 2-6 weeks (if not a few weeks longer) before you can tell if they're working for you or not. I always suggest looking up your medication on the internet, as there is a wealth of information out there... from the clinical stuff... to individual experiences (good & bad). I would also suggest asking your Dr. why a "tricyclic antidepressant" vs. the newer SSRI or SSNRI antidepressants for your OCD... some Dr's just have more experience with older meds... whereas some Dr's prefer newer meds... reasons can vary.
Best of luck trying to adjust to Anafranil (if this med works for your other symptoms... strange taste in your mouth is bound to fade or at least become tolerable). If you decide to try another medication... best of luck to you as well. Just know you're not alone in trying to find the right medication(s)... or trying to figure out the weird side effects... what is normal/common and how long they last. I've found the most reassuring advice out there is knowing YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Thank-you Paralegal for your comments. My psychiatrist is relatively young and so I believe she is up to date with the different drugs. I think maybe because I have tried several of the SSRI's and SSNRI's that she thought the tricyclic antidepressants would be good to try. The Remeron she has first prescribed was a bad choice for me. It made me feel so zoned out and with no feelings. I get angry sometimes when I think about how "psychiatitry " is the only discipline in medicine where the doctor doesn't do blood tests, take xrays, MRI or scans. It is just guess and by golly... lets hope the drug and the dosage we picked is going to work!!! It is all just trial and error with the patient , who is most times experincing difficulty communicating , relating. So how accurate can it be when the psychiatrist just looks at you, asks you some questions.
It really upsets me that there is no type of test or SOMETHING to guide the doctor in providing a more accurate medication.
Thank-you for your post and you are correct "we are not alone". With all the depression, anxiety, OCD, and all other mental illnesses and there are lots of them you would think that there would be more specific ways to determine the medication required.
Related topics
anafranil, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder
Further information
- Anafranil uses and safety info
- Anafranil prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Anafranil (detailed)
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