Clomipramine is a prescription medication used to treat symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Clomipramine belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. These work by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain, a naturally occurring chemical that is involved in mental balance.

This medication comes in an oral (by mouth) capsule form and is usually taken once a day, at bedtime. At the beginning of treatment with clomipramine, it is usually given in divided doses, with food.

Common side effects of clomipramine include nausea, dry mouth, and constipation.

Clomipramine can also cause drowsiness and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how clomipramine affects you.

Clomipramine is a prescription medication used to treat symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a mental illness that causes people to have consistent worry and stressful thoughts that create a need to perform compulsive behaviors repeatedly. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs

Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of clomipramine hydrochloride or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Clomipramine hydrochloride is not approved for use in pediatric patients except for patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Serious side effects have been reported with clomipramine. See the "Drug Precautions" section.

Common side effects of clomipramine include the following:

• dry mouth
• constipation
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• dyspepsia (Indigestion)
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• nervousness
• headache
• changes in weight or eating habits
• changes in sexual desire

This is not a complete list of clomipramine side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.