Clomipramine: Uses, indications and cautions when using

Clomipramine is a drug used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that works to reduce persistent thoughts and unwanted obsessions in patients. The drug also helps reduce repetitive tasks such as washing hands, counting numbers, etc., which can cause many obstacles in the patient's daily life. Clomipramine works by restoring the balance of natural substances found in the human brain such as Serotonin and others.
Before taking Clomipramine, the patient should carefully read the instructions provided with and consult with the treating doctor or pharmacist. The drug can be taken with or without food, depending on the specific situation. To minimize unwanted effects in the stomach, patients can be prescribed Clomipramine at a low dose and taken several times a day with meals, the dose will be gradually increased as the body gets used to it. use medicine. Once the best dose has been reached for the condition to be treated, Clomipramine can be taken once a day at bedtime to limit daytime sleepiness, or can also be prescribed by your doctor. treatment. Patients should not take more or less medication than prescribed. Patients should also not take it for a longer period of time than recommended by the treating doctor, because the condition may not improve any faster, on the contrary, the typical side effects of Clomipramine use are seizures. can happen. The specific dose of Clomipramine depends on the patient's medical condition as well as the response to the drug.
Patients should avoid eating or drinking grapefruit juice during treatment with Clomipramine unless specifically directed by the treating doctor. The reason is explained that grapefruit can increase the amount of drugs in the blood, so it is necessary to consult a doctor about the use of this food.
Medicines need to be used regularly every day to get the most benefit. Even if the patient is feeling well, they still need to continue taking the medication at the same time each day. Do not suddenly stop taking the drug without the consent of the treating doctor, because the symptoms may become more severe, manifested by sweating, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, discomfort... Instead, the dose of Clomipramine should be gradually reduced until complete discontinuation. It may take 2 to 3 weeks or longer for patients to see the full effects of this treatment. If the patient's condition persists or worsens, the doctor should be informed immediately.

Clomipramine is indicated in the following cases:
Obsessive-compulsive disorder Anxiety Panic disorder Depression Muscle weakness related to sleep disorders

Some side effects when taking Clomipramine are dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, appetite, flushing, fatigue, eye opening... These symptoms Usually only temporary when starting to take the drug, but if it persists and becomes more severe, it is necessary to notify the treating doctor. Patients can suck on sugar-free hard candy or shaved ice, sugar-free gum, drink more water to improve dry mouth. With constipation, it is important to eat enough fiber, drink enough water and maintain exercise or take a laxative to minimize this condition.
More serious side effects may occur such as depression, enlarged breasts, irregular periods, muscle stiffness, decreased sex drive, tremors and tingling in hands and feet, difficulty urinating, easy bleeding, motion Abnormal movements in the tongue, lips, abdominal pain, tinnitus, yellow eyes ... The drug also increases Serotonin, causing a dangerous condition called Serotonin toxicity. At this time, it is necessary to immediately notify the treating doctor for timely treatment.

Clomipramine is a popular obsessive-compulsive disorder drug today, easy to use, effective and relatively safe for patients. However, a small number of cases can still experience side effects, so patients need to strictly follow the advice of their doctor when taking this medicine. It is strictly forbidden to self-medicate because it can seriously affect the medical condition and health.
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Reference source: webmd.com