Clomipramine capsules
Clomipramine capsules
What is this medicine?
CLOMIPRAMINE (kloe MI pra meen) is an antidepressant. It is used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder.
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine with food to avoid stomach upset. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly except upon the advice of your doctor. Stopping this medicine too quickly may cause serious side effects or your condition may worsen.
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 10 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
anxious
breathing problems
changes in vision
confusion
elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior
eye pain
fast, irregular heartbeat
feeling agitated, angry, or irritable
fever or chills, sore throat
fever with rash, swollen lymph nodes, or swelling of the face
hallucination, loss of contact with reality
muscle stiffness, spasms
restlessness, pacing, inability to keep still
seizures
signs and symptoms of low sodium like trouble concentrating, confusion, weakness, memory problems, headache, and problems with balance
suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
tingling, pain, or numbness in the feet or hands
trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
unusually weak or tired
vomiting
yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
change in sex drive or performance
change in appetite or weight
constipation
dry mouth
indigestion, stomach upset
nausea
tremors
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
cisapride
dofetilide
dronedarone
linezolid
MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
methylene blue (injected into a vein)
pimozide
thioridazine
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
atropine
antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold
certain medicines for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine
certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat
certain medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
certain medicines for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine
certain medicines for travel sickness like scopolamine
certain medicines for Parkinson's disease like benztropine, trihexyphenidyl
certain medicines for seizures like phenobarbital or phenytoin
certain medicines for sleep or anxiety
cimetidine
digoxin
haloperidol
general anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
ipratropium
lithium
medicines that relax muscles for surgery
narcotic medicines for pain
other medicines for depression or psychotic disorders
other medicines that prolong the QT interval (an abnormal heart rhythm)
St. John's Wort
stimulant medicines for attention disorders, weight loss, or staying awake
thyroid hormones, like levothyroxine
tryptophan
warfarin
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
an alcohol problem
asthma, difficulty breathing
bipolar disease or schizophrenia
difficulty passing urine, prostate trouble
glaucoma
heart disease or previous heart attack
liver disease
over active thyroid
seizures
thoughts or plans of suicide, previous suicide attempt, or family history of suicide attempt
an unusual or allergic reaction to clomipramine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse. Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Because it may take several weeks to see the full effects of this medicine, it is important to continue your treatment as prescribed by your doctor.
Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening thoughts of suicide or depression. Also watch out for sudden changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your health care professional.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients can increase possible side effects.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
This medicine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your eye doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
This medicine can cause constipation. Try to have a bowel movement at least every 2 to 3 days. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your doctor or health care professional.
This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
Updated:  
June 07, 2019