Uses
Clofranil (Clomipramine) is used to treat depression. Depression is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in parts of the brain. This affects your whole body and can cause emotional and physical symptoms such as feeling low in spirit, loss of interest in activities, being unable to enjoy life, poor appetite or overeating, disturbed sleep, often waking up early, loss of sex drive, lack of energy and feeling guilty over nothing. Clofranil works by correcting this chemical imbalance and may help relieve the symptoms of depression.

Clofranil is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive syndromes, phobias, panic attacks, muscle weakness in people with a sleep disorder called narcolepsy, and chronic painful conditions. Your physician may, however, prescribe Clofranil for another reason. Ask your physician if you have any questions about why Clopress has been prescribed for you.

Clofranil is not recommended for use in children 12 years of age and under. Clofranil is not recommended for use in adolescents (13-18 years of age) for the treatment of depression, unless under the supervision of a specialist.

Dosage and administration
Your physician will tell you how much Clofranil you need to take each day. It is important that you take Clofranil as directed by your physician. Do not take more than the recommended dose. It may take up to 4 weeks before any response to Clofranil is noticeable.

For Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Syndromes and Phobias: Treatment is usually started with 25mg of clomipramine 2 or 3 times daily. If necessary, your physician may increase the dose up to a maximum of 250mg a day. The usual maintenance dose is 50 to 100mg per day.

For Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia: Treatment is usually started with a dose of 10mg daily. If necessary, your physician may increase the dose up to a maximum of 150mg a day. The usual maintenance dose is 25 to 100mg per day.

For Muscle Weakness Accompanying Narcolepsy: The dose is usually 25 to 75mg daily.

For Chronic Painful Conditions: The daily dose varies (10 to 150mg) depending on your condition.

If you are elderly, you may be started on a dose of 10mg daily. Your physician may increase your dose over a period of about ten days, to 30-50mg daily.

Your physician may tell you to take different doses to these. If so, follow their instructions. The tablet(s) should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Do not stop taking Clofranil even if you begin to feel better, unless your physician tells you to do so. Make sure you do not run out of tablets.

Side effects
Tell your pharmacist or physician as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Clofranil.

All medicines can have some unwanted effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

Tell your physician or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

• Stomach or bowel problems (e.g. nausea, diarrhoea, constipation)
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth or taste change
• Increased sweating
• Increased appetite
• Shakiness or tremor
• Changes in your sex drive
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Weakness
• Impaired concentration or thought processes
• Trouble sleeping
• Vision problems
• Irregular heart beats, also called palpitations

Tell your physician immediately if you develop a rash or hives while taking Clofranil. This side effect is rare but serious. You may need urgent medical attention.

See your physician if you experience any of the following when you stop Clofranil treatment:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• Headache
• Nervousness
• Anxiety.

The list of side effects mentioned above is not complete. If you should suffer from any of these side effects or any other undesired effect please tell your physician or pharmacist. Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.

Precautions
Before you take Clofranil, tell your physician if:

• You have had an allergic reaction to any medicine that you have taken previously to treat your current condition
• You have heart or liver problems
• You have difficulty passing urine
• You have epilepsy, fits or convulsions (or a condition such as alcoholism, brain damage or a recent head injury which might make fits more likely to occur)
• You are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding
• You suffer from an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) or are receiving thyroid medication
• You suffer from raised pressure in the eye (glaucoma)
• You suffer from chronic constipation
• You suffer from phaeochromocytoma or neuroblastoma (rare tumours of the adrenal gland)
• You suffer from low or high blood pressure
• You have suicidal thoughts or have attempted suicide in the past
• You suffer from mania (mood of excitement, over-activity and uninhibited behaviour) or bipolar disorder
• You have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes

Do not take Clofranil if:

• You are allergic to clomipramine, other tricyclic antidepressants or any other ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
• You are taking another medicine for depression called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or have been taking a MAOI within the last 14 days. Ask your physician or pharmacist if you are unsure as to whether or not you are taking a MAOI
• You have recently had a heart attack

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.

If you are taking any other medicines, including any you get without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop, tell your physician or pharmacist.

Medicines that may interfere with Clofranil include:

• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (e.g. moclobemide, phenelzine, tranylcypromine)
• Other antidepressants (e.g. SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants)
• Adrenergic Neurone Blockers (e.g. guanethidine, betanidine, reserpine, clonidine)
• Sympathomimetics, such as nasal decongestants (used for colds or hay fever)
• CNS Depressants (e.g. barbiturates, benzodiazepines)
• Anticholinergic Agents (e.g. phenothiazine, antiparkinsonian agents, antihistamines)
• Quinidine
• Liver-Enzyme Inducers (e.g. barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin, nicotine)
• Neuroleptics
• Anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin)
• Cimetidine (used to treat ulcers and other stomach complaints)
• Methylphenidate
• Oestrogens (e.g. oral contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy).

These medicines may be affected by Clofranil or may affect how well Clofranil works. You may need different amounts of your medicines or you may need to take different medicines.

Your physician or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Clofranil.

Delivery Time: 7-14 Days