Description:

Anafranil (clomipramine hydrochloride) by Teofarma is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) and antiobsessional agent. It is primarily used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), reducing obsessions and compulsions by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. It is also indicated for depression (including with anxiety or sedative needs), phobias, panic attacks, and sometimes chronic pain or other off-label uses. The Teofarma version is a branded generic or licensed formulation, often available as tablets or extended-release forms.

Prescription: Prescription-only (Rx). Requires a doctor’s prescription, typically from a psychiatrist, due to its potency, side effects, cardiac risks, and monitoring needs (e.g., suicidality in young patients).

Therapeutic Category:

Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) / Antiobsessional agent / Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.

Active Ingredients/Composition:

Active ingredient: Clomipramine hydrochloride (various strengths, e.g., 10 mg, 25 mg, 75 mg per tablet/capsule). No additional vitamins or minerals; excipients vary (e.g., lactose, starch, magnesium stearate in standard formulations).

Vitamins: None.

Minerals: None.

Variant: Common strengths include 10 mg, 25 mg (often starting dose), 75 mg (extended-release or higher maintenance). Teofarma produces tablets (coated or divisable) and possibly other forms like 75 mg extended-release; availability varies by market (e.g., Turkey-sourced in some exports).

Consume Type:

Oral (swallow whole tablets/capsules with water; do not crush/chew unless specified for certain forms).

Directions/Usage: Dosage is individualized and started low to minimize side effects.

• For OCD/depression: Initial 25 mg daily (or 10 mg in sensitive patients), divided or single bedtime dose; increase gradually by 25 mg every 3-4 days to 75-150 mg daily (up to max 250 mg in severe cases under supervision).
• Often divided doses initially, then single bedtime for tolerance.
• Full effect may take 2-12 weeks. Taper slowly when stopping. Follow psychiatrist’s exact instructions; take with food if GI upset occurs.

Common Side Effects:

• Anticholinergic: Dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, urinary retention, sweating
• CNS: Drowsiness/sedation, dizziness, tremor, headache
• GI: Nausea, weight gain, increased appetite
• Cardiovascular: Orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia
• Sexual: Dysfunction (e.g., delayed ejaculation, impotence)
• Other: Fatigue, sweating Serious (seek immediate help): Suicidality (especially young adults), seizures, arrhythmias, serotonin syndrome, mania.

Package Type:

Blister packs or boxes of tablets (e.g., 20, 30, 50, or 100 tablets per pack; e.g., 20 x 75 mg divisible tablets common).

Storage Advice: Store at room temperature (below 25-30°C), in original packaging, protected from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.

Safety Advice:

• High suicidality risk in children/adolescents/young adults—close monitoring required at start/dose changes.
• Cardiac risks: Avoid in recent MI, arrhythmias, or conduction defects; ECG may be needed.
• Contraindicated with MAOIs (wait 14 days washout); caution with other serotonergic (serotonin syndrome).
• Avoid alcohol, driving if sedated. Caution in elderly, glaucoma, prostate issues, epilepsy, liver/kidney problems.
• Pregnancy/breastfeeding: Use only if benefits outweigh risks.
• Abrupt discontinuation may cause withdrawal—taper under supervision.

Product Substitutes: Other clomipramine brands/generics: Anafranil (original by Novartis/Alfasigma in some regions), TEVA clomipramine, Apo-Clomipramine, or generic clomipramine HCl. For OCD: SSRIs like sertraline, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine (often first-line due to better tolerability)—consult psychiatrist.

Manufacturer/Marketer:

Teofarma Pharma (Teofarma S.r.l. or Teofarma Pharma; Italian company, with production/distribution often in Turkey or EU for exports).

Country of Origin:

Italy (Teofarma is an Italian pharmaceutical company; some batches/export versions are manufactured/marketed from Turkey as per international pharmacy sources).