For what conditions or diseases is this medicine prescribed?

Treats obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, depression, ongoing pain or for Antidepressants

Anafranil is used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Anafranil is a tricyclic antidepressant. It works by increasing the activity of certain chemicals in the brain, which helps reduce obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

DO NOT use Anafranil if

• are allergic to any ingredient in Anafranil or to similar medicines
• have taken furazolidone or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (for example, phenelzine) in the last 14 days, or are taking astemizole or terfenadine
• is recovering from a recent heart attack.

Contact your doctor or healthcare provider immediately if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Anafranil. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
• if you are taking any prescription or non-prescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you are allergic to medicines, foods or other substances
• if you drink alcoholic beverages daily or have a history of alcohol abuse
• if you take thyroid medication or have a history of overactive thyroid
• if you have a history of adrenal gland problems, glaucoma, heart problems, kidney or liver problems, diabetes, seizures, urination problems, the blood disease porphyria, or other blood problems
• if you have a history of suicidal thoughts or behavior, bipolar disorder, or any other mental disorder
• if you are undergoing electroshock therapy or have surgery planned.

Some medications may interact with Anafranil. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following

• Azole antifungals (eg, fluconazole), cimetidine, duloxetine, haloperidol, methylphenidate, mibefradil, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (eg, fluoxetine), terbinafine, or acid valproic acid because they may increase the risk of side effects from Anafranil.
• Astemizole, furazolidone, ketolide antibiotics (eg, telithromycin), macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), pimozide, or terfenadine because they may increase the risk of hypertension blood pressure, serious heart problems (eg, irregular heartbeat), or seizures.
• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital) or phenytoin because they may decrease the effectiveness of Anafranil
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), carbamazepine, or sympathomimetics (eg, phenylephrine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Anafranil
• Clonidine, guanethidine or guanfacine because their effectiveness may be reduced by Anafranil.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your doctor if Anafranil might interact with other medications you take. Check with your doctor before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

• Anafranil may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medications. Use Anafranil with caution. Do not drive or perform other potentially unsafe tasks until you know how you react.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medications that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers) while you are using Anafranil; can increase its effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines can cause drowsiness.
• Anafranil can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, heat, exercise, or fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit or stand up slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Don't overheat in hot weather or while being active; You can get heat stroke.
• Anafranil can make you sunburn more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Anafranil. Use sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you have to be outside for more than a short time.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Anafranil before you receive any type of medical or dental care, urgent care, or surgery.
• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, may be done while you are using Anafranil. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all medical and laboratory appointments.
• Use Anafranil with caution in the elderly; may be more sensitive to its effects, especially those with heart problems.
• Anafranil should be used with extreme caution in children under 10 years of age; safety and efficacy in these children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is not known whether Anafranil can harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, see your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Anafranil during pregnancy. Anafranil is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Anafranil.

If you suddenly stop taking Anafranil, you may have withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms may include dizziness, headache, irritability, nausea, tiredness, trouble sleeping, and vomiting.

Use Anafranil as directed in the leaflet

How should this medicine be used?

Use Anafranil as directed by your doctor.

• Take Anafranil by mouth with food to decrease stomach upset.
• It may take 2 to 3 weeks to notice the effect of Anafranil. Keep using Anafranil even if you feel fine. Do not miss any dose.
• If you miss a dose of Anafranil, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time. If you take 1 daily dose at bedtime, do not take the missed dose the next morning.

Ask your doctor any questions you may have about how to use Anafranil.

What are the side effects that this medicine could cause?

Important safety information:

• Anafranil may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medications. Use Anafranil with caution. Do not drive or perform other potentially unsafe tasks until you know how you react.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medications that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers) while you are using Anafranil; can increase its effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines can cause drowsiness.
• Anafranil can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, heat, exercise, or fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit or stand up slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Don't overheat in hot weather or while being active; You can get heat stroke.
• Anafranil can make you sunburn more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Anafranil. Use sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you have to be outside for more than a short time.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Anafranil before you receive any type of medical or dental care, urgent care, or surgery.
• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, may be done while you are using Anafranil. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all medical and laboratory appointments.
• Use Anafranil with caution in the elderly; may be more sensitive to its effects, especially those with heart problems.
• Anafranil should be used with extreme caution in children under 10 years of age; safety and efficacy in these children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is not known whether Anafranil can harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, see your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Anafranil during pregnancy. Anafranil is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Anafranil.

If you suddenly stop taking Anafranil, you may have withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms may include dizziness, headache, irritability, nausea, tiredness, trouble sleeping, and vomiting.

How is Anafranil (Clomipramine) stored?

Store Anafranil at room temperature, between 20 and 25 degrees C, in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture and light. Do not store it in the bathroom. Keep Anafranil out of the reach of children and away from pets.

what should I do in case of an overdose?

Important safety information:

• Anafranil may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medications. Use Anafranil with caution. Do not drive or perform other potentially unsafe tasks until you know how you react.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medications that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers) while you are using Anafranil; can increase its effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines can cause drowsiness.
• Anafranil can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, heat, exercise, or fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit or stand up slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Don't overheat in hot weather or while being active; You can get heat stroke.
• Anafranil can make you sunburn more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Anafranil. Use sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you have to be outside for more than a short time.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Anafranil before you receive any type of medical or dental care, urgent care, or surgery.
• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, may be done while you are using Anafranil. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all medical and laboratory appointments.
• Use Anafranil with caution in the elderly; may be more sensitive to its effects, especially those with heart problems.
• Anafranil should be used with extreme caution in children under 10 years of age; safety and efficacy in these children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is not known whether Anafranil can harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, see your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Anafranil during pregnancy. Anafranil is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Anafranil.

If you suddenly stop taking Anafranil, you may have withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms may include dizziness, headache, irritability, nausea, tiredness, trouble sleeping, and vomiting.