Clomipramine for Panic Disorder User Reviews

• Den...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2022

"Anafranil is the drug that changed my life. The greatest invention of psychiatry. I was at the end of the road. Every second there was a state of panic. What I read before starting Anafranil terrified me so much. I didn't want to start, especially because of what I had read about Alzheimer's and dementia. But I hope whoever reads this review will take me seriously. This drug saved my life. Yes, the first month was very difficult because of the side effects, but now I feel like myself. I live an anxiety-free life. While 1 month ago it felt like I would never come out of this hole, now life gives me incredible pleasure. I'm taking 150mg a day and it's getting better every day. Please give Anafranil a chance. I thought there was no worse case in the world than me, I tried at least 10 different drug and none of them worked, I lost hope. So if I'm healed, I'm sure everyone can recover. Do not lose hope."

• Roy...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 3, 2014

Clomipramine "Before taking Anafranil, I had severe panic attacks and derealization. Xanax was the only medicine that could help me but only temporarily at high doses. After unsuccessful experiences with other antidepressants which made my anxiety and mood much worse, I was ready to give up pharmaceuticals until I gave Anafranil a shot. I don't preach antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicines because I don't like them myself, but Anafranil seemed to be the only medicine that virtually eliminated my panic attacks without making me feel 'numb' and 'lifeless'. If you have panic disorder or depression like I do and have had no luck with SSRIs or SNRIs, I urge you to at least try Anafranil."

• dan...
• January 19, 2013

Clomipramine "Have been on Anafranil for 5 weeks now. Prior to starting this medication I tried Lexapro (horrible panic attacks no sleep), Zoloft (made me depressed, worsened anxiety), Cymbalta (dreamlike state, made me totally dysfunctional), dothiepin (slightly alleviated anxiety but not much). I have only taken Anafranil for 5 weeks and it has already cured me of chronic anxiety, panic attacks. Took 4 weeks to really start working but turned out to be a surprisingly effective medicine. I feel great for the first time in years and am starting to get my life back. It has also helped my agoraphobia a great deal, magical stuff."

• kma...
• February 24, 2012

Clomipramine "Outstanding medication for obsessive-compulsive stress disorder, panic, agoraphobia. I have been on this medicine for 15 years, and it has eliminated my panic attacks, anxiety, and I am able to leave the house without fear. Side effects include rapid heart rate, dry mouth, sexual dysfunction, and hypotension. I take Anafranil at night. There is absolutely no weight gain, in fact, I lost 50 lbs. I did switch to Zoloft with no success and am back on Anafranil. There were no withdrawal symptoms when tapered off. This is one of the best meds in the TCA class and works better than the new SSRIs for me."

• Don...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 21, 2020

"This medicine, clomipramine, saved my life from panic disorder. It took me six long years to find this medicine. I used to read all the reviews on this site hoping and dreaming I would one day have relief like so many on here. In fact, some days it was my only way of keeping hope. This drug took 6-8 long months to take effect for me. It was slow progress out of hell, but every day was better than the one before. Like the sun coming up, you don't really notice it getting light out. Things that were impossible became possible. My thoughts were quieted and my mind could think about other things besides depression and anxiety. I have been on the drug for 6 years now. My depression and anxiety are gone. Like all gone! Not diminished or tolerable, but gone. My side effects are increased sweating and loose bowels. I am impacted by them, but I would take the trade every day and twice on Sunday. :)"

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2020

"I started on clomipramine at a dose of 50 mg daily for anxiety, panic disorder, depression, and OCD. I slowly increased the dose by 50 mg and am currently taking 150 mg at bedtime. This medication is an old one, but don’t be fooled by new doctors and new medications. This medication has been a gift from God. At first, I was afraid to start it after reading a lot of reviews about negative side effects. The only thing I’ve had is a little dry mouth. Other than that, my depression is much better, panic attacks are way down to almost nothing, and obsessive thoughts have dropped by about 90%. So overall, this medication has been the best medication I’ve ever been on. I am thankful for my older psychiatrist who had an idea that my depression and panic were coming from mostly obsessive thoughts. I am so grateful to have been put on this medication!!!"

• Unk...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 13, 2024

"It's a wonderful med, but fully eliminating panic takes at least 6-8 months. It's not a benzo, it's going to go down day by day. Be patient. Take some benzos with it and a higher dose if possible. I'm taking 250 mg. Hope this helps someone."

• nas...
• January 1, 2012

"I suffered with panic attacks, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder for many years. Finally, I tried Anafranil (only 25 mg) and it was my miracle. I have been on it for almost 30 years. I have not suffered any side effects and have not had to increase the dosage. I HIGHLY recommend suggesting this medicine to your doctor if you have any of the problems. This literally saved my life."

• Tha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2016

Clomipramine "I had a break up and was suffering extreme anxiety and depression. I was not functioning at work, in life, and suffered for several months. I was getting worse and worse, not sleeping, and finally broke down and decided to take an antidepressant. After about 4 days, something changed a little. Within two weeks, my anxiety went away, and I began sleeping again as well. I weaned off of the Ativan I was taking, and this drug saved my life. I probably would have been hospitalized if I didn't go on it. Side effects: sweating (a lot), constipation, and of course, ejaculatory issues, but I could still have sex with my partner. These side effects were easy to deal with when compared to my anxiety. Saved my life!"

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2023

"Had life debilitating panic attacks after my mum died. I couldn’t work or socialize and felt like I was dying too, it was so awful. After a couple of weeks on this drug, I started to get my life back, and now, 4 months in, I feel so good. Only wish I’d been prescribed this years ago, as OCD has affected me all my life. Side effects? A few (tiredness, hot sweats, and a dry mouth - but only in the first few weeks, now all gone). Honestly, this drug has been a lifesaver."

• Jil...
• November 12, 2015

Clomipramine "I was suffering panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome. I started on half of a 75 mg for two weeks and then a full tablet. The side effects were a bit of a challenge some days, but the upside was I had good days very early into taking. I started them four weeks ago and panic attacks are gone, minimal anxiety now, depression lifted considerably, also no more IBS. One thing that no tablet cannot do is change how you think. I am very, very blessed!"

• K_M...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2020

"Have suffered from a lot of anxiety, panic, and depression, as well as a few unwanted thoughts and feelings for 6 years...!! Tried all SSRIs, SNRIs, anti-psychotics, and two TCAs (imipramine, amitriptyline), none of them can bring a satisfying response!! But clomipramine did!! Difference of day and night just inside 7 days!! No major side effects, only minor ones in the starting days!! Dose: 50 mg at night/daily!!"

• cur...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 22, 2013

"My panic disorder with agoraphobia started when I was 16. Clomipramine (Anafranil) is the only thing that controls it. I am now nearly 60 and still take a small dose, 25 mg, per night. I have tried repeatedly to manage without Clomipramine, and to begin with, it is fine, but then eventually the panic attacks recur and are very debilitating. Thanks to this, I have been able to lead a fulfilled life - working both at home and abroad, traveling, driving, and looking after children and a husband. It frees me up to be myself. I have tried cognitive therapy and other things but always come back to this. It is not nice to be on a high dose though as it affects sexual response. This is why it does not get 10 out of 10."

• Pin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 23, 2018

"Tried a few other SSRI meds such as fluoxetine and sertraline, both made my panic and anxiety worse. The Dr suggested clomipramine, titrated up from 25 mg to 75 mg over 4 weeks. Had some side effects for two weeks, such as dry mouth, headache, and nausea, but these passed. The clomipramine cured my anxiety, panic attacks, mild acrophobia, and dizziness. A truly amazing and often overlooked medication."

• Dav...
• April 22, 2017

"I was on Paxil for over 10 years, and they slowly started to stop working to the point of my previous agoraphobia returning. I tried augmentation with Abilify, but the side effects were horrific. I was terrified nothing would ever work again as I tried a few other meds like Remeron, which did nothing. Then my psych decided to start me on clomipramine. I started very slowly due to fear of side effects. It's been 5 weeks, and I'm currently on 87.5 mg. As of 5 days ago, I started to see and feel the benefits! It's really amazing! No more daily anxiety to the point of panic. I have started to leave the house alone and go to the shops or for a walk, which I hadn't been able to do for many months. This drug quiets your mind and gives you confidence!"

• Mou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2018

"I'm 23 years old, and I've been suffering from general and social anxiety, panic, since I was 13. I also had OCD by the age of 19 and ended up with severe depression and suicidal behavior this year. It's been 4 weeks since I started taking clomipramine twice a day, 20 mg, along with mianserin, and this combination changed my life. All my problems are gone, including phobias, erectile dysfunction, and all symptoms related to anxiety and depression."

• Cur...
• March 15, 2019

"I've read so many scary reports about clomipramine and wanted to say to anyone feeling desperate that it has worked for me for panic disorder. Drugs respond differently to each individual; we aren't a textbook, and you must trust your gut instinct as to whether it's suiting you. Having tried multiple tricyclics and SSRI medications, it is the only one I can take. I'm very sensitive to medication and start on a slow titration of 10 mg for 2 weeks, then 20 mg for 4 weeks, and to 25 mg. It isn't easy at the beginning; I feel tired and my moods are all over the shop, but as the weeks go by, I feel more myself. The feelings of derealization and terror are overwhelming; clomipramine has allowed me to function. I was recently advised to stop clomipramine as there was a shortage and have been dealing with the awful effects of taking a medication that just didn't suit me. I'm now slowly returning to clomipramine (hoping stocks will continue). Chemicals are unpredictable, so be your best advocate of how you feel."

• vmr...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 7, 2016

"I have had anxiety and depression since childhood and self-medicated with alcohol and street drugs. I got sober 29 years ago, but after being sober for 2 years, I had a nervous breakdown. My doctor put me on Xanax and Clomipramine, I got better. Years passed, and I have had setbacks, and doctors prescribed all SSRIs and continued to increase benzodiazepines to an unsafe level. The doctors took me off the benzodiazepines and Clomipramine. My anxiety and depression have returned. I went back to my Clomipramine a week ago, and I already have my life back."

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

"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."

• Dod...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 19, 2013

"I've been on clomipramine 15 years now, and it basically saved my life. I suffer terrible panic attacks, but they stopped straight away. I came off my 25 mg tablets for 9 months, felt good, but slowly my panic attacks came back, now back on 25 mg and feel good again."

• Sta...
• March 4, 2019

"Was put on 30 mg of clomipramine 6 years ago for intrusive suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, and agoraphobia. Can no longer get them in the UK, I don't know what the problem is. But worryingly, going to have to switch to something else. Initially, when I first started it, I almost came off the drug after 3 days, even at 3 weeks, as the dose was slowly increased, I was even more suicidal than ever, and the panic increased by 10. Glad I stuck with them, as they really ended up helping me so much. For those of you who are starting clomipramine and feel your symptoms get a lot worse, try and stay with it, because initially, it can get worse before it starts helping you, and clomipramine does seem to be a drug that initially can make things worse for a few weeks. But obviously, stay safe, and if you feel suicidal, speak to your doctor immediately. Not everyone will suffer bad initial side effects, so don't let that put you off. We are all very different, with different problems."

• Kel...
• April 16, 2018

"I've been on Clomipramine for 6 months and am up to 50 mg a day. That is the max dose I can take without flu-like symptoms and migraines. I've tried over 50 medications for panic disorder, and this is the only one that has worked for me. I take this along with 1-2 Ativan a day (0.25 mg), and I have my life back. It's not perfect, but now I can get out of the house and live my life for the most part. I don't know where I would be without it. I highly recommend Clomipramine if SSRIs don't work for you, or if they cause unbearable side effects."

• CLA...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 11, 2023

"Was diagnosed with anxiety, IBS & panic disorder in 2012. Over the years I've tried SSRIs (Sertraline, Citalopram), SNRIs (Venlafaxine), beta-blockers (Propranolol), but this TCA is the one I keep returning to. Virtually eliminated my IBS, overthinking and panic attacks. I've returned to it a 3rd time, and although I'm not 100% cured, it still seems to be helping. The side effects are inconvenient but manageable. Expect constipation, delayed orgasm, dry mouth & postural hypotension. Possible indigestion / reflux, but this might just be me! They don't recommend combining with alcohol, but I've always managed to enjoy a few drinks without any negative effects. If you decide to give it a go, start low and slow (25mg) and work up as needed. 50mg seems to be the sweet spot for me, but there's plenty of wiggle room (up to 250mg). I hope they continue stocking it in the UK, for those of us that seem to respond better to these older drugs."

• Adr...
• August 18, 2016

"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."

• pau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2021

"I'm diagnosed with GAD, panic disorder, and OCD. I've been on 150 mg of clomipramine for a week, although I started this medication on a low dose in mid-November. So far, my panic is completely gone, and OCD is mild, but I still have problems with anxiety. Is it typical to have anxiety still at this stage in treatment?"