Clomipramine

Clomipramine is an anti-depressant medication that is used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder as well as depression. This medication increases the amount of serotonin in the brain. This helps patients feel mentally balanced and reduces obsessive thoughts and the compulsion to engage in repetitive activity in order to release anxiety related to the obsessive thoughts.

Warnings/Side Effects

This medication can be habit-forming because it changes the chemical makeup of the brain. Patients often become physically addicted to the medication; abruptly ceasing use of Clomipramine can cause physical health problems such as heart attacks and seizures in addition to causing psychiatric symptoms to return. Often, obsessive thoughts are worse than they were originally if the patient abruptly withdraws from this medication.

Clomipramine can cause mood swings, depression and suicidal thoughts in young people. People who are less than 24 years old should be monitored carefully for suicidal thoughts and self-harming behavior while on this medication.