Overview
DESCRIPTION Clomipramine hydrochloride capsules, USP are an antiobsessional drug that belongs to the class (dibenzazepine) of pharmacologic agents known as tricyclic antidepressants. Clomipramine hydrochloride capsules, USP are available as capsules of 25, 50, and 75 mg for oral administration.
Mechanism of Action
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Pharmacodynamics Clomipramine (CMI) is presumed to influence obsessive and compulsive behaviors through its effects on serotonergic neuronal transmission. The actual neurochemical mechanism is unknown, but CMI’s capacity to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin (5-HT) is thought to be important. Pharmacokinetics Absorption/Bioavailability – CMI from clomipramine hydrochloride capsule, USP is as bioavailable as CMI from a solution. The bioavailability of CMI from capsules is not significantly affected by food. In a dose proportionality study involving multiple CMI doses, steady-state plasma concentrations (Css) and area-under-plasma-concentration-time curves (AUC) of CMI and CMI’s major active metabolite, desmethylclomipramine (DMI), were not proportional to dose over the...
Indications
- INDICATIONS AND USAGE Clomipramine hydrochloride capsules, USP is indicated for the treatment of obsessions and compulsions in patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The obsessions or compulsions must cause marked distress, be time-consuming, or significantly interfere with social or occupational functioning, in order to meet the DSM-III-R (circa 1989) diagnosis of OCD. Obsessions are recurrent, persistent ideas, thoughts, images, or impulses that are ego-dystonic.
Common Doses
- 25 mg
- 100 mg
- 250 mg
- 3 mg
Dosage
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The treatment regimens described below are based on those used in controlled clinical trials of clomipramine hydrochloride capsules, USP in 520 adults, and 91 children and adolescents with OCD. During initial titration, clomipramine hydrochloride capsules, USP should be given in divided doses with meals to reduce gastrointestinal side effects. The goal of this initial titration phase is to minimize side effects by permitting tolerance to side effects to develop or allowing the patient time to adapt if tolerance does not develop.
Black Box Warning
Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of clomipramine hydrochloride or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need.
Contraindications
- CONTRAINDICATIONS Clomipramine hydrochloride capsules, USP are contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to clomipramine hydrochloride capsules, USP or other tricyclic antidepressants. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) The use of MAOIs intended to treat psychiatric disorders with clomipramine hydrochloride capsules, USP or within 14 days of stopping treatment with clomipramine hydrochloride capsules, USP are contraindicated because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome.
Side Effects
- ADVERSE REACTIONS Commonly Observed The most commonly observed adverse events associated with the use of clomipramine hydrochloride capsules, USP and not seen at an equivalent incidence among placebo-treated patients were gastrointestinal complaints, including dry mouth, constipation, nausea, dyspepsia, and anorexia; nervous system complaints, including somnolence, tremor, dizziness, nervousness, and myoclonus; genitourinary complaints, including changed libido, ejaculatory failure, impotence, and micturition disorder; and other miscellaneous complaints, including fatigue, sweating, increased...
Interactions
- Drug Interactions The risks of using clomipramine hydrochloride capsules, USP in combination with other drugs have not been systematically evaluated. Given the primary CNS effects of clomipramine hydrochloride capsules, USP caution is advised in using it concomitantly with other CNS-active drugs ( see Information for Patients ). Clomipramine hydrochloride capsules, USP should not be used with MAO inhibitors ( see CONTRAINDICATIONS ).