Treatment of depression is Anafranil the answer?

The Pharmacy medication Anafranil also known under its generic name of Clomipramine HCI and is a tricyclic antipressant drug used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder and to treat depression is many people.

Before using this medication what information should I know.

•While you are taking Anafranil you may need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts at the start of therapy or when doses are changed.The concern over the increased rick of suicidal thoughts can be greater if you are aged under the age of 18 years and have been prescribed Anafranil. In patients younger than 18 years, the period of risk may extend beyond start of therapy or when doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the following symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe restlessness, and mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity). These symptoms may be associated with the development of worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts or actions. Do not stop taking Anafranil.

•You must remember that it can take 4 weeks or more before you start feeling better, you must not stop taking this medication without speaking to your doctor first.
If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.
•As dizziness does effect a lot of people you should be careful that when you get up from a chair or from bed you do not do this too quick as you could fall.
•Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Anafranil.

Anafranil what is it?

•The drug Anafranil is in a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Anafranil does affect the brain and as it affects the chemicals in it you may become unbalanced causing obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Indications
The obsessions and compulsions must cause marked distress, be time-consuming, or significantly interfere with social or occupational functioning.

Dosage

Owing to the long elimination half-lives of clomipramine and its active metabolite, desmethylclomipramine, steady-state plasma levels may not be achieved until 2 to 3 weeks after a dosage adjustment. It should be kept in mind that a lag in therapeutic response usually occurs at the onset of therapy, lasting from several days to a few weeks. Increasing the dosage does not normally shorten this latent period and may increase the incidence of side effects.

Depression:
Initial Dosage for Anafranil

This drug is started at a daily does of around 25mg then increased by 25mg at a time every 3 or 4 days untill a daily dose of 150mg is reached in two weeks and after that can be gradually increased over the next few weeks.

As with any medication or medical problem you should always keep in contact with your doctor to make sure you are on the best medication for your medical issue or problem.