During my DPDR recovery I did not take any pharmaceuticals, neither am I a doctor, nevertheless one of the first questions I had during my DPDR was “Is there a pill that can cure me?”. Thus, I contacted a pharmacist to write this article about Clomipramine (Anafranil) for me.

Keep on reading to gain insights into Clomipramine and its effects on DPDR.

Clomipramine

Clomipramine comes under the brand name Anafranil, is a tricyclic antidepressant.

It works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (serotonin, nor-epinepherine among others) in the brain. It helps decrease persistent/unwanted thoughts (obsessions), and it helps reduce the urge to perform repeated tasks (compulsions such as hand-washing, counting, checking) that interfere with daily living. Clomipramine has also been used to treat depression, panic attacks, and ongoing pain.

DOSE:

Initially, 25mg/day PO and gradually increase upto 100mg/day or 3mg/kg/day. Usually taken a single dose at bedtime, but may be given in divided doses.
Obsessive thinking and having intrusive thoughts or imagery is a common symptom of DPRD. Anafranil is a drug that has been shown in some studies to help alleviate these kinds of thoughts. But tricyclic anti-depressants have more side effects than SSRIs. More studies required to be well aware of its effectiveness in depersonalizarion/derealization disorder.