Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• January 23, 2012

Anafranil (clomipramine) "After trying a few different medicines (with no benefits) my doctor pulled out the big guns and gave me Clomipramine. I have severe OCD but the purely obsessional (intrusive thoughts). I used to be a checker and handwasher though. I took it for over 1 year, Unfortunately Clomipromine did nothing for me on 250 mg, which is pretty much the highest dose you can take. I did not have alot of side effects except dry mouth when I was on it. I quit taking it after I ran out on a holiday weekend and saw the withdrawal symptoms, severe nausea. And even when tapering slowly off it over the course of months I still had terrible withdrawals (vomiting and nausea). "

• OCD
• February 3, 2017

"I've been taking Clomipramine for a year now. I started at 200mg and went quickly up to 300mg (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 (200mg-300mg). If a doctor just gives you 10 or 50mg, 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 300mg 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"

• User
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 12, 2018

Anafranil (clomipramine) "I definitely recommend Anafranil to anyone suffering from moderate to severe OCD. While on this medication I noticed a great reduction in my OCD symptoms and it had elevated my mood even. Though a few of this medication's side effects might be a little troublesome, generally you get used to it and it isn't life changing."

• Anonymous
• March 5, 2013

"I had suffered debilitating OCD from the age of six and Chlomipramine has improved my condition 95%. It also handles my chronic sciatica beautifully. Diminishes pain by about 70%! Constipation and sweating are my only side effects. And that's not much of a problem. I'm 45 and finally enjoy life."

• Dano
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 30, 2019

"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 $1100 without insurance. I’m about to start again. The only thing I hate is the terrible dry mouth. Otherwise it’s amazing!"

• Mr Jo...
• March 9, 2016

"Clomipramine began improving my OCD symptoms within a couple of weeks and seems to have all but eliminated my intrusive, repletetive thinking at this point. I still have off-days from time to time, but my therapist and doc both agree that's to be expected. This stuff has taken me from not being able to function to getting back to my life. The only downside is I have experienced some difficulty reaching orgasm. Not every time, but from time to time. Erections are fine and libido is actually increased - due to just feeling so much better. All in all that's a small price to pay for what feels like a restoration of my basic sanity."

• Marys...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2015

"I have been taking this drug for almost 3 months. It has helped significantly with intrusive thoughts and therefore decreased compulsions and being stuck on rituals. More than significant, actually. It is saving me and I'm able to function better. The problem is I've gained 13 pounds. My hunger is never satisfied! It is always on my mind. I know my mental health is worth gaining SOME weight; however it shows no stopping. I am not a thin woman, gaining too much weight makes me unhappy in terms of how I look. I have some joint problems too. Thanks for listening. I do not plan on quitting this med for as I said, works great."

• Chef...
• September 29, 2016

"This drug is a life savour. I have been on every other new/old medication. Nothing is as effective as clomipramine in my experience with my condition. Side effect were pretty severe but after almost 5 years they are pretty much none existent. I suffer from OCD, GAD, and MDD."

• Tsuluzo
• December 3, 2016

"I have severe ocd, depression, and social anxiety. After reaching the dose of 100mg per day, this med was extremely effective for my depression, ocd, and social anxiety. In fact it is the only med I have tried that has been very effective for my social anxiety. It absolutely changed my life in just 2-3 weeks after starting it. One catch though It caused really bad difficulty urinating. It was to the point that I had to get off of the med. I will say though after trying around 16-20 psych meds over the course of 10 years it is the most effective hands down. I'm actually starting it again because the trade off really is worth it."

• RJR
• August 4, 2016

"I have tried many of the SSRI's with no success. I was on a tricyclic many years ago with great results. My doctor put me on Clomipiramine and the results were good. I saw a good improvement in racing thoughts with a decrease in anxiety. I should of 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."

• Ginny...
• August 17, 2017

"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."

• Smart
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 20, 2024

"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."

• stellar...
• April 22, 2015

"I was on 150 mg anafranil daily for over 10 years. My OCD was completely being managed. All of a sudden about 6 months ago I go to get it filled and it's too expensive. I'm talking $275.00. I'm on disability and couldn't afford it. I'm now going through a very bad boot of depression. Just lay in bed all day, no appetite, losing weight, no interest in even going to the mailbox. My Dr starred me on Prozac one week ago. So far, no improvement. I'm scared. Haven't been this depressed in such a long time."

• GeorgeL
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 26, 2018

Anafranil (clomipramine) "been on since 1990 25mg bedtime and has worked fantastic for my OCD which surfaced after a grand mal seizure generic ineffective - try to use the brand worst side effect is yawning can also open capsule and dilute in water partially if needed"

• Ginge...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2022

"I always swore I’d I found a drug that helped me, that I would come back onto this site and post a review. After suffering from anxiety and depression for over 10 years, my diagnosis changed in the past 2 years and I was crippled by pure OCD (obsessional thoughts but no compulsions). I tried Citalopram, Sertraline, Mitrazipine and now Clomipramine. When I first tried this drug I had no hope and couldn’t see a way out of the dark place I was in. I had no faith in therapy or drugs as both had failed. The initial week was tough - side effects inc increased anxiety, jitteriness, nausea etc. But I pushed through these and within 2/3weeks I started to see light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve been on 100mg now for 3months and this tablet has honestly saved my life. I was at a stage where I couldn’t do anything but think about my intrusive thoughts and nothing brought me joy. My obsessional thoughts are now reduced by over 80%!!!"

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

"This really does help after suffering from depersonalisation (DP), OCD and panic attacks for decades. I finally begged my Psych doctor to let me try this drug. I had literally tried every antidepressant, and even some antipsychotic medication. All the other drugs I tried was 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 SSRI's are not working I would totally recommend this drug, for me it has been a life saver."

• Aleasa
• June 4, 2016

"I have terrible OCD and I went on this drug after celexa stopped working after about 10 years. This drug is a miracle. Within 3 days my OCD was subsiding. It took about 2 months to really see the complete effects. With that being said. There are more side effects than anything I've ever taken. I get manic from this medicine, constipation, trouble swollowing occasionally , sexual anorgasmia, and insane weight gain. I eat an amazing plant based paleo and grain free diet and I still gain weight if I eat any fruit. But if you want a drug that's incredibly effective. This is a great option."

• PGclo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2013

"Miracle! I had obsessive thoughts that I recognized and could not get rid off. Tried years of therapy and one year of Lexapro with no results. The thoughts had cost me relationships in the past and was starting to ruin my latest and best one also. I finally tried Clomipramine. Even at the low dosage of 25mg, I started to see results after two weeks of taking it. The side effects are a drag but they start going away. Worst one for me is the anorgasmia though which is getting better slowly."

• elise...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 6, 2021

"This drug changed my life. After having OCD since early childhood, and it getting increasingly debilitating through adolescence I was finally put on this after trialling many SSRI's and Effexor. I feel like it's literally impossible for me to feel anxiety on clomipramine, and my depression has disappeared too. I've been on it around 18 months now. The side effects at the start were terrible, not going to sugar coat it. I fainted so much, couldn't poo for so long (got hospitalised cos it got that bad) but magnesium citrate helps that. Give it time to work. There is a reason this medication is so well rated once its in your system"

• 24hr
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 26, 2016

"Clomipramine has done a wonderful job for my dermatillomania. I've tried many different meds and this one works the best. I think it caused a bit of weight gain, but that could've been due to my hypothyroidism! I'm on thyroid meds now so I'll check back when stable and metabolism starts getting in gear. I'm on 75-100mgs daily of the Anafranil. I don't plan on going off this med in the near future!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 10, 2023

"Just like the majority of the people here, clomipramine has saved my life. I've had OCD since I left the womb, but one summer my cortisol levels rose so high that my body thought I was having a panic attack 24/7 for 3 months. I couldn't work, I could hardly eat, I cried for hours thinking terrible thoughts. One week on clomipramine... what thoughts? It has reduced my intrusive thoughts to a minimum, and when I do have them, they don't send me into a panic. It's just a fleeting thought that's gone as soon as it started. Try it. Try it. Try it. Give yourself the opportunity to feel well again."

• Pdrick
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 4, 2018

"I've had problems with my OCD since I was approx 13 yrs old, with it's peak at 22yrs. I've tried several SSRI and other types of antidepressants but with this I'm almost totally anxiety-free since a year back."

• AvenueQ
• March 5, 2021

"Started at 25mg. Week later I was taking 50mg. Mouth was dry but I could deal with that. Went up to 75mg. I was having difficulty urinating. Ok, I can deal with that as long as thats the worst. Went up to 100mg. Could not urinate at all. Went to ER and was catherized - I had to be catherized due to the amount of urine in my bladder. This was Saturday. Doctor looked up this medication and found this happens to 6% of patients- which is considered a fairly high number regarding side effects. Doc said go to urologist on Monday. Went to a very good urologist with excellent staff. They took out cathetar and I was able to urinate. Went home and urinated 2 x. By 2:00 I wasn't able to go at all. Back to urologist and got catherized again. The amount I had in my bladder was 450- - apparently that is quite a lot. Doc said this medication has 5 half lives which equals 160 hours!!! Went home with catheter. Today (thurs) catheter was removed and its 10:00pm and all is good. *knocks on wood*"

• Pkaner
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 7, 2017

"I have been on this drug for 16 years and it has been a life saver. The side effects were pretty intense at the start ..mainly constipation,dry mouth and gained 15 pounds. I persevered with the side effects for about 3 months because I just felt so damn normal. The side effects went away and weight returned to normal. I believe the only long term side effect is excessive sweating. Oh well I can live with that! I tried about 9 different meds for anxiety and depression and none of them gave me any side effects at all. 1 week on clomipramine and I was constipated big time and had major dry mouth but had joy back in my life!! Can't live without it!! Cost has gone up in Canada because I believe there are no longer any generic manufacturers.."

• abby
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2020

"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!"