The indications for Anafranil are focused on its ability to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which leads to an increase in their levels. This mechanism contributes to improving mood balance and emotional and behavioral stability in patients. Therefore, Anafranil is considered a multi-use drug, especially in the field of psychiatry. However, like other antidepressants, it should only be used on prescription. In the following, Dalily Medical will review what Anafranil specifically treats, discuss its position on the drug schedule, and whether it can lead to addiction when used.

**What is Anafranil?**

 

Anafranil is a type of antidepressant, used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, and also contributes to improving mood. This drug is given to adults and children over the age of ten, and the prescribed dose must be adhered to to avoid the risk of coma.

**What is the dosage of Anafranil for anxiety?**

 

The doctor usually starts by setting a low dose of Anafranil, 25 mg per day to treat anxiety, and then the dose is gradually increased over the first 14 days, eventually reaching a maximum of 200 mg.

**Is Anafranil addictive?**

 

Yes, taking Anafranil without medical supervision and in high doses for long periods can lead to the body becoming dependent on it, making it difficult to stop using it. Over time, the person may feel the need to increase the usual doses to get the same effect they felt at the beginning. Any attempt to stop taking the drug may face withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, nervousness, depression, vomiting and nausea, and sleep disturbances, which may force the person to return to using it again. Addiction begins to negatively affect different aspects of life.

**Is Anafranil an alternative to Tramadol?**

 

Anafranil is not an alternative to Tramadol, as it is primarily used to treat depression and is based on Clomipramine, which aims to reduce the absorption of serotonin, increasing its concentration in the body. In contrast, Tramadol is derived from morphine and is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Therefore, both drugs have different mechanisms of action and uses.

**When does Anafranil start working?**

 

Some symptoms may start to improve within a week or two, but it may take 4 to 6 weeks to feel a noticeable improvement.

**Does Anafranil improve mood?**

 

Yes, Anafranil is an antidepressant that helps improve mood by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.

**What is the effect of Anafranil on the body?**

 

Anafranil works to improve symptoms of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social phobia. It also helps relieve body pain and improve sexual health, but it must be used under medical supervision

**What is the effect of Anafranil on the brain?**

 

Anafranil works to increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which helps relieve symptoms of depression. It also helps reduce pain signals, which leads to relief of body pain.

**Is Anafranil useful for anxiety?**

 

Anafranil has proven effective in relieving symptoms of anxiety, panic attacks, and social phobia, but it must be used under medical supervision and adherence to the recommended doses.

**Are there risks from taking Anafranil with alcohol?**

 

Taking Anafranil with alcohol can increase side effects such as irregular heartbeat, severe drowsiness, and confusion. Combining them may also lead to serious side effects such as vomiting, blurred vision, excessive sweating, muscle stiffness, or convulsions. If any of these symptoms appear, seek immediate medical attention. Anafranil is used for many medical purposes, the most famous of which is the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but it is considered a high-risk drug, as its misuse can lead to addiction.

Is Anafranil the best choice for treating OCD?

 

Anafranil has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the treatment of OCD.

What about the dose of Anafranil 75 and premature ejaculation?

 

When using a dose of 75 mg of Anafranil to treat premature ejaculation, it is recommended to take it at least 4 hours before intercourse, so that the effect of the drug begins to delay ejaculation.

Is Anafranil dangerous?

 

Yes, this drug is dangerous, as taking an overdose of Anafranil can lead to irregular heartbeats, and may cause loss of consciousness or coma.

Are there any risks from taking Anafranil with alcohol?

 

Drinking alcohol while taking Anafranil can lead to serious health risks, so you should stop taking them immediately.

What to do if you miss a dose?

 

The missed dose should be taken as soon as possible, but if it is close to the time for the next dose, do not take both doses together, but take only one dose.

How to stop taking Anafranil?

 

Anafranil is not addictive, but you should not stop taking it suddenly because it may lead to withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, insomnia, and anxiety. It is preferable to stop taking the drug gradually over a period of weeks or months under medical supervision.

**Anafranil withdrawal**

Anafranil begins to take effect after 8 to 12 hours. Its half-life varies from 32 to 69 hours or more, depending on the dose the patient takes (which is the time it takes the body to get rid of half the amount of the drug). Anafranil remains in the blood for up to 10 days, and in the urine for a week after taking the last dose.

**Does Anafranil show up in a blood and urine drug test?**

 

Anafranil is an antidepressant, so it does not show up in a drug test if it is taken in the blood or urine.Taking a blood or urine sample while using the medication.

**How ​​to use Anafranil:**

Anafranil is available in the form of tablets taken orally, in doses ranging from 25 to 50 and 75 mg. The appropriate dose is determined based on the patient's condition, and treatment usually starts with a dose of 25 mg three times a day. After two weeks, the dose may be increased to 100 mg per day, and it can reach 250 mg, so that the doses are divided, and the treatment continues for up to 3 weeks.

**How ​​long does Anafranil last?**

 

I noticed that its effect begins to appear within a period ranging from 4 to 6 hours after taking it. However, to significantly improve symptoms, it is recommended to continue taking it for at least 4 weeks, and it should not be stopped suddenly without consulting a doctor. It should be noted that this period may vary from person to person based on several factors, including:

- **Doses taken:** The effect of Anafranil lasts longer in the body when taking larger doses.

- **Physical condition:** The efficiency of the liver, kidneys, and metabolic rate play an important role in determining the duration of the drug's effect.

- **Severity of psychological disorders:** If a person suffers from severe psychological problems, the effect of Anafranil may not last for a long time.

- **Body weight:** Being overweight may reduce the duration of the effect of Anafranil.

- **Appropriate dosage:** It is preferable to take Anafranil in divided doses with meals during the initial phase, in order to reduce side effects on the digestive system. The goal of this phase is to reduce side effects by allowing the body to adapt to the drug.

1- Initial dose (for adults) Treatment should start with a dose of 25 mg daily, with a gradual increase of about 100 mg during the first two weeks. After that, the dose can be gradually increased over the following weeks, to a maximum of 250 mg daily. After the initial period, the total daily dose can be taken once in the evening to reduce drowsiness during the day.

2- Initial dose (for children and adolescents) As with adults, the starting dose is 25 mg daily, and should be gradually increased over the first two weeks, to a maximum of 3 mg per kilogram of body weight or 100 mg. After that, the dose can be gradually increased over the following weeks, to a maximum of 3 mg per kilogram or 200 mg. As with adults, the total daily dose can be given once in the evening to reduce daytime drowsiness.

**Anafranil withdrawal symptoms**

The symptoms of Anafranil withdrawal are similar to those associated with other antidepressants, the most prominent of which are:

- Insomnia

- Fever

- Severe anxiety

- Sadness

- Dizziness

- Nausea and vomiting

- Severe headache

Some Anafranil withdrawal symptoms may disappear completely shortly after stopping taking it, while some patients may experience worsening symptoms over time, which is known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, which includes fatigue, tremors, and loss of balance.

**What about Anafranil withdrawal during pregnancy?**

 

If you are taking the medication during pregnancy, withdrawal symptoms may affect the fetus. Research has shown that pregnant women who withdraw from taking Anafranil may cause the fetus to develop epilepsy

**Anafranil drug concentrations**

Anafranil is available in several concentrations, which are:

- Anafranil 10 mg

- Anafranil tablets 25 mg

- Anafranil 50 mg

- Anafranil 75 mg

**Indications for use of Anafranil** Anafranil is used to treat a range of disturbing health conditions, thanks to its ability to enhance the secretion of some hormones associated with happiness. Here are the most prominent indications for its use:

- **Treatment of depression:** It works to increase the secretion of hormones responsible for the feeling of happiness, such as serotonin and endorphins.

- **Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder:** It helps relieve feelings of anxiety and helps with calm thinking and controlling obsessive thoughts.

- **Treatment of mood disorders:** It helps stabilize the general mood.

- **Treatment of panic attacks, fear and social phobia:** It increases the rate of hormones responsible for calm and relaxation, which helps control these attacks significantly.

- **Treatment of cases of involuntary urination:** It can be used to treat involuntary urination in children, provided that there are no organic causes, after consulting a doctor.

Treatment of premature ejaculation**: The drug works to calm the nervous system and reduce the transmission of nerve signals from the brain to the reproductive system.

Treatment of severe depression.

Relieves nerve inflammation pain in diabetic patients.

Relieves severe headache pain.

Treatment of premature ejaculation.

Relieves stress and panic attacks

What are the contraindications for using Anafranil?

 

There are some health conditions in which the use of Anafranil is prohibited, and I informed the treating physician about one of these cases during my experience with the drug, which prompted me to stop taking it. Contraindications include the following:

- Known hypersensitivity to clomipramine or any allergy to tricyclic antidepressants from the dibenzazepine group.

- Any type of irregular heartbeat.

- Myocardial infarction.

- Acute liver disease.

- Pregnancy and lactation.

- Urinary retention.

- Glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure).

- Mania.

The use of Clomipramine during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of congenital heart defects in newborns, and can lead to withdrawal effects in the newborn. In addition, Clomipramine is excreted in breast milk, so it is recommended not to breastfeed while taking this drug.

**What are the side effects of Anafranil?**

 

Anafranil has side effects that may clearly affect your psychological and physical condition, so it is important to be aware of them to be psychologically prepared and take the necessary precautions to reduce them as much as possible.

**Low sexual desire:**Although the drug is used to treat premature ejaculation, it may negatively affect sexual desire, leading toLoss of desire to have sexual relations as a result of the relaxation it causes to the body, in addition to the decline in the overall performance of the nervous system, which may also lead to erectile dysfunction.

**Blurred vision:** The drug can cause a drop in blood pressure, which leads to blurred vision, in addition to a feeling of dizziness and nausea.

**Weak memory and concentration:** Your memory and ability to concentrate may be affected when taking the drug, because it acts as a sedative for the nervous system, which reduces the activity of the memory and concentration centers in the brain.

**Weight disorders:** You may experience a significant weight gain during the period of taking the drug, due to its effect on increasing appetite.

**Sleep disorders:** You notice that you feel very sleepy sometimes when taking the drug, while on other days you may suffer from insomnia and difficulty sleeping.

**Constipation:** Constipation and indigestion are common side effects of the drug, as they occur as a result of slow bowel movements, which leads to persistent constipation.

**Difficulty urinating:** You may sometimes experience difficulty urinating when using Anafranil, as it causes the bladder muscles to contract.

**Eye swelling:** A swollen eye is a common symptom associated with the drug, which occurs as a result of fluid retention in the body.

What are the side effects of Anafranil?

 

The side effects of Anafranil appear when used for a long period of time, and are divided into common symptoms, less common symptoms, and rare symptoms.

**Common side effects:**

- Indigestion.

- Ejaculation disorder.

- Headache and dizziness.

- Drowsiness and insomnia.

- Urination disorder.

- Weight gain or loss of appetite.

- Nausea and sweating.

- Dry mouth and nervousness.

- Numbness of the extremities.

- Tremors and chills.

**Less common side effects:**

- Anxiety.

- Vomiting.

- Fever.

- Hypertension.

- Memory impairment.

- Sleep disturbances.

- Muscle tremors.

- Itching and skin rash.

- Irregular heartbeat.

**Rare side effects:**

- Loss of vision.

- Cough.

- Dizziness.

- Extreme thirst.

- Loss of consciousness.

- Muscle pain and tremors.

- Rapid weight gain.

- Severe drowsiness.

- Yellowing of the skin or eyes.

If you experience any rare symptom or if any symptom worsens over time, you should stop taking the medication and contact your psychiatrist immediately.

### Tips for using Anafranil:

1. The medication should be taken under the supervision of a specialist doctor, and it is not allowed to reduce or increase the dose without medical advice.

2. Inform your doctor if you are taking any medicinal herbs, nutritional supplements or medications such as (warfarin, benzotrepine, cimetidine, dicyclomine, nausea medications, contraceptives, Prozac, Zoloft) so that he can adjust the dose to suit your health condition.

3. Tell your doctor if you have any side effects related to the heart, liver, hyperthyroidism, bipolar disorder, glaucoma, epilepsy, or urinary retention.

4. Make sure to drink enough water.

5. If you miss a dose, do not double the dose, but take the next dose at the usual time, and return to your normal regimen the next day.

What are the interactions of Anafranil?

 

Clomipramine can interact with a range of different medications, including:

- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as: isocarboxazid, moclobemide, phenelzine, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

- Quinidine, since clomipramine is broken down by the CYP2D6 enzyme in the body.

- Diuretics, as their use may lead to hypokalemia, which increases the risk of heart rhythm disturbances.

- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), due to their potential effects on serotonin levels, which may lead to serotonin syndrome.

- Serotonin medications such as: triptans, other tricyclic antidepressants, and tramadol, due to the risk of serotonin syndrome.

It is also recommended not to use it with CYP2D6 inhibitors at the same time, due to the possibility of increasing plasma levels of Anafranil and the resulting negative effects on the central nervous system and cardiac toxicity.

**How ​​to use Anafranil to treat premature ejaculation**

 

First, the dose that a man should take when he needs to delay ejaculation is four to six hours before sexual intercourse. This gives the drug enough time to show its effect in delaying ejaculation.

Second, there is a daily dose that a man can take whether he is preparing for intercourse or not. One of the advantages of this method is that it reduces the negative side effects that may affect the digestive system and the nervous system, as these effects disappear within two to three weeks with adherence to the specified dose. This helps to relieve any discomfort that a person may feel when taking Anafranil.

It is important to note that if Anafranil is taken to delay ejaculation and the man does not get the desired results, this does not mean that the drug is ineffective. Rather, it may require higher doses or a change in the method of use according to the doctor's instructions.

**Warnings when using Anafranil:**

- The drug should not be taken if you are allergic to clomipramine.

- It is recommended to avoid driving while taking the drug, as it may cause blurred vision.

- Do not stop taking the drug without consulting your doctor, to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

- It is preferable not to take the drug while breastfeeding.

- The drug should not be taken with the following medications: (lumifantrine, disopyramide, indapamide, isoproxazide, lumefantrine, pentamidine, phenelzine, pimozide, safinamide, selegibalin, sotalol, thioridazine, naranylcypromine).

- The medicine is not recommended for use by children.

- Do not stop taking the medicine even if you feel better, without consulting a doctor.

- It is warned against taking the medicine for people over 65 years of age.

- It shouldAvoid taking the drug with alcohol or while using any other narcotic substances.

**What are the methods of treating Anafranil addiction?**

 

Although Anafranil is not a drug, some users have fallen into the trap of addiction as a result of not adhering to the recommended doses and overdosing unnecessarily. Which includes the following steps:

**Accurate diagnosis** The process of treating Anafranil addiction begins with all the necessary tests and examinations to determine the presence of the drug in the body, in addition to evaluating the patient's psychological state to understand the effect of the drug on the occurrence of any psychological disorders.

**Withdrawal of toxins** The next step in treating Anafranil addiction is to withdraw the toxins resulting from the drug by gradually reducing the dose, allowing the body to get rid of the effects of the drug. Some unwanted symptoms may appear, such as insomnia, muscle pain, desire to take the drug, and nervousness.

**Changing lifestyle for the better** Following a healthy lifestyle contributes to accelerating the process of getting rid of the effects of the drug in the body, through:

- Eating healthy meals rich in proteins.

- Making sure to eat vegetables.

Make sure to drink enough water daily.

Do not ignore the importance of exercise, as it contributes to relaxation and speeds up the process of drug exit from the body.

Practice some activities that enhance your sense of calm, such as meditation in nature, deep breathing, or yoga

**Psychological rehabilitation**Detoxing the drug alone is not enough to recover from addiction, as the patient needs cognitive behavioral rehabilitation that helps him interact with others normally after changing negative thoughts and behaviors. It also requires treating psychological disorders associated with addiction, such as depression and anxiety.

**Outpatient follow-up**Following up with the patient after leaving the hospital is one of the most important treatment programs in the treatment journey and preventing the recovering patient from returning to drug abuse and addiction.