Clomipramine (Anafranil) is used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Clomipramine may also be useful in treating other health conditions. You may speak to your doctor or pharmacist to know more about the uses of Anafranil.

Anafranil can be taken in form of a capsule by mouth. It could be taken 1 to 3 times a day or may be taken with meals or once a day at bedtime. Anafranil may cause stomach upset. Hence, it is better to take Anafranil with food or milk. When you are taking Anafranil, it is strongly recommended that you understand and follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. You should not increase or decrease the dose or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Anafranil must be taken regularly for a few weeks before it shows full effect. If you have taken large doses for a long time then do not stop taking Anafranil without consulting your doctor and continue to take it even if you feel well. The doctor may decrease your dose gradually.

Anafranil may cause side effects. Inform your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking Anafranil. Consult your doctor about the possible side effects of using Anafranil for your condition. Your doctor may need to monitor you for side effects and alter the doses if necessary.

Clomipramine may cause an upset stomach. Take clomipramine with food or milk.

In case of overdose, you need to call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim is unconscious or not breathing, you need to call local emergency services at 911.

It is very important to know as how this medication affects you. Clomipramine may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Hence, avoid long exposure to sunlight and wear protective clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. Anafranil may make you drowsy. Hence, it is better to avoid driving a car or operating machinery. In addition, remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by Anafranil. Hence, you take alcoholic beverages; consult your doctor about their effect when you are taking Clomipramine. In addition, if you are smoker then you should know that Cigarette smoking might decrease the effectiveness of Anafranil. You need to keep all appointments with your doctor. Continue your normal diet, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Take care to see that no one should take your medication. Always consult your pharmacist if you have any questions about refilling your prescription.

If you missed the dose of Anafranil that you take once a day at bedtime and remember on next morning then you could skip the missed dose. If you are taking multiple doses of Anafranil per day and miss a dose then take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, it is important that you take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. If it is almost time for the next dose, then skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Anafranil should be stored at room temperature. It should be kept away from excess heat and moisture. Hence, should not be stored in the bathroom. Clomipramine should be kept in the container it came in only. The container should be kept tightly closed and out of reach of children. If the medicine become outdated or you are no longer taking it then you need to discard it safely. Consult your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

You need to take following precautions before taking Anafranil and while you are taking Anafranil. Inform your doctor in advance?

1. If you are allergic to Clomipramine or any other medicine

2. If you are taking or have taken any prescription and non-prescription drugs within the last 2 weeks, especially MAO inhibitors like [phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate)], anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); benztropine (Cogentin); cimetidine (Tagamet); clonidine (Catapres); dicyclomine (Bentyl); digoxin (Lanoxin); disulfiram; flecainide (Tambocor); guanethidine (Ismelin); haloperidol (Haldol); levodopa (Sinemet, Dopar); medications for nausea, dizziness, or schizophrenia; oral contraceptives; propafenone (Rythmol); quinidine (Quinidex); secobarbital (Seconal); sedatives; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil); tranquilizers; trihexyphenidyl (Artane) and vitamins

3. If you have taken or have stopped taking fluoxetine within last 5 weeks

4. If you have or ever had history of disease like heart attack, seizures, glaucoma, irregular heartbeat, problems with your urinary system, prostate, blood pressure or thyroid problems and history of heart, kidney or liver disease

5. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breast-feeding

If you become pregnant while taking Anafranil, call your doctor immediately. If you are going under a surgery, including dental surgery, while taking Anafranil, inform your doctor immediately.