Clomipramine and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• hap...
• February 9, 2014

Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have suffered from obsessive thoughts for 26 years. I have tried different medications over the years. I was on Paxil for 10 years, but I never ever felt totally well, and I slowly stopped taking it and became very ill. I started taking clomipramine again seven years ago. Again, it saved my life, and I have been able to have a successful career. I take 250 mg a day. I hate the side effect of weight gain, but I will never sacrifice my mental health to lose weight."

• Bat...
• July 17, 2013

For Depression "This medicine saved my life. I have now been on it for 12 years for anxiety and depression. I tried a whole slew of SSRIs over a three-year period with minimal success prior to clomipramine. A week after starting clomipramine, I started to feel better but had some major side effects (dry mouth, constipation, and later weight gain). With the SSRIs, I had no or minimal side effects. I thought maybe these side effects mean the medicine is working. The side effects continued for about 5-6 weeks, but I started to feel like my old self. I gained about 15 pounds in the first 8 months, but I didn't really care because I could live again and enjoy my family and friends. The weight all came off after about a year with exercise and eating right. Awesome!"

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2012

Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "After three years on different antipsychotics, I started taking this finally to some relief. I have been taking it now for about six months. It is still working well for obsessing, but the side effects are starting to add up. I have steadily gained weight. Severe dry mouth at first, not so bad now though. Total anorgasmia fixed by Viagra, and uncontrolled twitching. It sounds bad when I write it down but compared to the antipsychotics it's much better. I still feel better than I have and so much happier."

• Anonymous
• September 22, 2009

Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "After taking this medicine, I woke up one morning to realize that I felt connected to the world, and when I started to do my rituals, I realized that I just didn't need to. Amazing. The problem was that I gained 40 pounds, and the high dosage, necessary (over 200), scared me. I would recommend that a person try it and see if a lower dosage will work for them. If so, it's a miracle."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Out of all the medicines I have tried for my anxiety/OCD, this one, clomipramine, has worked the best! I take 50 mg a day, and it took about 3-4 weeks to start noticing a difference. I went from OCD thoughts running my life all day/every day to having small thoughts throughout the day that I am able to easily dismiss. My panic attacks are also gone! Side effects have been dry mouth, a little bit of weight gain (maybe 5 pounds), and sexual side effects (delayed ejaculation). This medicine is expensive and has caused a few side effects, BUT IT IS WORTH IT!"

• Cal...
• April 13, 2009

Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "From reading the medical literature, this is probably the most effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder, but the side effects led me to change. After a year of use, I switched to a less taxing medication. The weight gain was too much, and it made me more confrontational with others. However, for bringing my initial problem down to a manageable level before switching, Anafranil was a lifesaver."

• JGh...
• June 4, 2020

For Depression "I was in SSRIs for 17 years, and it only helped the OCD. I was still pretty miserable with depression. No doctor mentioned it until I ended up in a psychiatric hospital, where they started putting me on clomipramine back in January of 2013. The first dosage of 25 milligrams gave me an acute anxiety attack. But I got over it. I went up to 50 mg in a few days and felt better. However, 100 mg made the symptoms worse, so I went back down to 50 mg, and I was happy as a clam within 2 weeks. I’ve never been this happy or optimistic in my life. The only side effect that has become a problem is a significant amount of weight gain, at least 40-50 lbs. I’m making every effort to reverse it."

• Sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 19, 2021

Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Anafranil helped my OCD symptoms a little bit and helped me sleep at night. However, as my doctor increased my dosage, I started gaining weight, having horrible acne, and severe constipation. It also made me crave junk food like some kind of addict. I was on Anafranil for about 10 months and gained 40 lbs. I haven't taken Anafranil in about 8 months. I've lost the 40 lbs. I didn't have to go on a diet or anything, as soon as I was off the drug, my appetite went back to normal. However, 8 months later, and my colon is still not healthy. I still have major issues with constipation and bloating. My doctor had me try Zyliss, a drug for IBS, and it helps a little. I feel like Anafranil may have ruined my gut. I have a hard time leaving the house because I am so uncomfortable in my gut. I wish I had never taken this drug. I was much better off before."

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

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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, it works great."

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

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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 75-100 mgs daily of the Anafranil. I don't plan on going off this med in the near future!"

• Ale...
• June 4, 2016

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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 swallowing 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."

• Pka...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 7, 2017

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been on this drug for 16 years, and it has been a lifesaver. The side effects were pretty intense at the start, mainly constipation, dry mouth, and I 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."

• Bca...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 23, 2022

Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "This is the only medicine that ever did anything for my OCD. I have tried everything!! (Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Prozac) It does have some side effects. The bothersome ones for me are weight gain (not extreme like 5-10 lbs) & fatigue. I recommend taking it at night before bed because it can make you tired. If your body can adapt to the side effects, it's worth it. Especially if you have intrusive thoughts. I have obsessive checking behaviors & I also pick my skin, which is considered the same type of disorder as trichotillomania. Anafranil helped me completely stop this. I had no desire to think about it or do it anymore, it was crazy. If you have tried a lot of other things, give it a try in low doses, slowly. It will get better, little by little."

• Ser...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 18, 2022

Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "For those who are comparing OCD medications, you should note that Anafranil and Clomipramine are the same medication. Personally, I’ve found this medication to be the most effective for OCD, essentially removing all intrusive thoughts I had for the most part, as well as allowing me to easily dismiss or accept whatever intrusive thoughts did rarely arise, without it provoking an anxious response, meaning they could pass from my mind without issue. Unfortunately, however, the medication suddenly stopped working for me after a 3-year period and left me taking something much less effective. This has left me hoping that one day I’ll be able to go back on Clomipramine and that it’d work again, or that I could find another medication just as effective, if not more effective. It is an older medication, so it can have more side effects. Personally, I only had two: weight gain and orthostatic hypertension, however, the latter only appeared after a large dose increase much later."

• cwa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Clomipramine made me gain weight, which furthered my OCD compulsions, therefore, I cannot truly say if it helped me or not. The weight gain was detrimental, but I did hear it was the gold standard. Just not for me, I guess."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• April 9, 2012

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "This medicine worked wonders; I was not as paranoid as before, and was able to eat something that had fallen on the counter and things like that (before, I wouldn't have dared). It also made my depression evaporate. Unfortunately, it also caused intense hunger, in turn causing weight gain, and gave me headaches, made me hydrated, and caused frequent urination on the flip side. I'd still recommend this medicine. I'm sad it didn't work out for me because it was really great."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 17, 2022

Clomipramine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "This medication has helped me immensely with my OCD. It has been life-changing. The only side effect I would like to warn people about is, I take Anafranil at bedtime, I have hunger pangs all night, and although it helps me fall asleep, the hunger pangs wake me up at 1 and 2 AM. It’s not a normal hunger either, it can’t be satisfied, and it makes me crave carbohydrates like pretzels, sweets, etc. I gained weight initially on it because I didn’t look into this side effect. I am now more mindful, I jog on the treadmill, and I try to watch my calories during the day and find snacks low in calories, so if you wake up hungry, you can eat and go back to sleep. The weight can come off, you just wanted to let people know. I find Zoloft helped my OCD just as much without the crazy hunger."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 7, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Suffered with severe intrusive thoughts, was on 300 mg of clomipramine for about a year and had side effects of putting weight on (6 stone), dry mouth, shaky hands, just felt like a zombie. Gradually came off of them and started to feel better, then along came COVID and intrusive thoughts came back, so got put back on them but made me feel anxious, so came off them."

• 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)."

• Anonymous
• July 25, 2010

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Clomipramine is amazing. It did wonders for my OCD, depression, and anxiety, but I gained 50 pounds quickly. I was so excited at first. I've always had an extremely hard time keeping weight on and was way too thin in my last bout of severe depression before starting medications again, but it went too far. I've recently gotten off of it, feeling a little worse but managing, and the weight is coming off. Now I worry I'll go back to being as thin as I was, hopefully not. Overall, an amazing medication, especially taken together with Luvox, if you don't get the side effects."

• Meg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 10, 2022

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I've been taking 25 mg of clomipramine for six months. The first two months were rough. Constant dry mouth, fatigue, constipation, and brain fog. 25 mg was the highest I could go - any higher and the side effects were intolerable. That being said, by the sixth month, most of the side effects got better, but were not completely gone. My sleep and anxiety have improved greatly. My intrusive thoughts weren't gone, but I wasn't ruminating and obsessing like I used to. Overall, I was having a generally positive experience taking this drug. However, at the same time that I started taking clomipramine, I was diagnosed with lymphedema and gained weight in my legs that I can't lose. It's hard to know if this is tied to clomipramine because lymphedema is hereditary. The timing could be coincidental, but this medication is known for causing weight gain. So tomorrow I'm switching to Zoloft, which I took years ago. It's worth giving this med a try. Give it two months to really kick in."