1 Name of Medicine
Clomipramine hydrochloride.
2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition
Each tablet contains 25 mg as clomipramine hydrochloride.
Excipients with known effect.
Lactose monohydrate.
For the full list of excipients, see Section 6.1 List of Excipients.3 Pharmaceutical Form
Clomipramine-WGR 25 mg tablets are round, pale yellow, film coated, biconvex tablets engraved "25" on one side.
4.1 Therapeutic Indications
Major depression.
Obsessive-compulsive disorders and phobias in adults.
Cataplexy associated with narcolepsy.
4.2 Dose and Method of Administration
Clomipramine-WGR 25 mg tablets are intended for oral administration.
General.
The dosage should be determined individually and adapted to the patient's condition. Doses should be kept as low as possible and increased cautiously. Note that the plasma concentrations of clomipramine and its active metabolite do not stabilise for 7 to 14 days after commencing treatment and after a dosage change.
During treatment, the efficacy and tolerability of clomipramine must be judged by keeping the patient under close surveillance.
Depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders and phobias.
Commence treatment with 25 mg (one tablet) two or three times daily. Increase the daily dosage stepwise, e.g. 25 mg every few days (depending on how the medication is tolerated) to 100 to 150 mg (four to six tablets). Once a distinct improvement has set in, adjust the daily dosage to a maintenance level averaging 50 to 100 mg (two to four tablets).
Cataplexy accompanying narcolepsy.
Clomipramine should be given orally in a daily dose of 25 to 75 mg. Nocturnal medication should only be given in cases where clomipramine does not appear to exacerbate insomnia.
Use in the elderly.
Elderly patients generally show a more marked response to clomipramine than patients belonging to intermediate age groups. Clomipramine should be used with caution in the elderly and doses should be increased cautiously. Start treatment with 25 mg (one tablet) daily. Gradually increase the dosage over about ten days to an optimum level of 50 to 75 mg daily. This dose should then be adhered to until the end of treatment.4.3 Contraindications
Known hypersensitivity to clomipramine and any of the excipients in the tablets (see Section 6.1 List of Excipients).
Cross-sensitivity to tricyclic antidepressants of the dibenzazepine group.
Concomitant use with a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, or within 14 days before or after treatment with an irreversible MAO inhibitor, or within 14 days before moclobemide, a reversible MAO inhibitor (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions, MAO inhibitors).
Acute and recovery stages of myocardial infarction.
Congenital long QT syndrome.
4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use
Clinical worsening and suicide risk.
The risk of suicide is inherent in depression and may persist until significant remission occurs. This risk must be considered in all depressed patients.
Patients with depression may experience worsening of their depressive symptoms and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and behaviours (suicidality) whether or not they are taking antidepressant medications and this risk may persist until significant remission occurs. As improvement may not occur during the first few weeks or more of treatment, patients should be closely monitored for clinical worsening and suicidality, especially at the beginning of a course of treatment, or at the time of dose changes, either increases or decreases.
Consideration should be given to changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing the medication, in patients whose depression is persistently worse or whose emergent suicidality is severe, abrupt in onset or was not part of the patient's presenting symptoms. Patients (and caregivers of patients) should be alerted about the need to monitor for any worsening of their condition and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation/behaviour or thoughts of harming themselves and to seek medical advice immediately if these symptoms present. Patients with co-morbid depression associated with other psychiatric disorders being treated with antidepressants should be similarly observed for clinical worsening and suicidality.
Patients with a history of suicide-related events, or those exhibiting a significant degree of suicidal ideation prior to commencement of treatment, are at greater risk of suicidal thoughts or suicidal attempts and should receive careful monitoring during treatment.
Pooled analyses of 24 short-term (4 to 16 weeks), placebo-controlled trials of nine antidepressant medicines (SSRIs and others) in 4,400 children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (16 trials), obsessive compulsive disorder (4 trials) or other psychiatric disorders (4 trials) have revealed a greater risk of adverse events representing suicidal behaviour or thinking (suicidality) during the first few months of treatment in those receiving antidepressants. The average risk of such events in patients treated with an antidepressant was 4% compared with 2% of patients given placebo. There was considerable variation in risk among the antidepressants, but there was a tendency towards an increase for almost all antidepressants studied. The risk of suicidality was most consistently observed in the major depressive disorder trials, but there were signals of risk arising from trials in other psychiatric indications (obsessive compulsive disorder and social anxiety disorder) as well. No suicides occurred in these trials. It is unknown whether the suicidality risk in children and adolescent patients extends to use beyond several months. The nine antidepressant medicines in the pooled analysis included five SSRIs (citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline) and four non-SSRIs (bupropion, mirtazapine, nefazodone, venlafaxine).
Pooled analysis of short-term studies of antidepressant medications have also shown an increased risk of suicidal thinking and behaviour, known as suicidality, in young adults (aged 18 to 24) during initial treatment, generally the first one to two months. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants, compared to placebo, in adults older than the age of 24 years; there was a reduction with antidepressants, compared to placebo, in adults aged 65 years and older.
Symptoms of anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility (aggressiveness), impulsivity, akathisia (psychomotor restlessness), hypomania and mania have been reported in adults, adolescents and children being treated with antidepressants for major depressive disorder, as well as for other indications, both psychiatric and non-psychiatric. Although a causal link between the emergence of such symptoms and either worsening of depression and/or emergence of suicidal impulses has not been established, there is concern that such symptoms may be precursors of emerging suicidality.
Families and caregivers of children and adolescents being treated with antidepressants for major depressive disorder or for any other condition (psychiatric or non-psychiatric) should be informed about the need to monitor these patients for the emergence of agitation, irritability, unusual changes in behaviour and other symptoms described above, as well as the emergence of suicidality, and to report such symptoms immediately to health care providers. It is particularly important that monitoring be undertaken during the initial few months of antidepressant treatment or at times of dose increase or decrease.
Prescriptions for clomipramine should be written for the smallest quantity of tablets consistent with good patient management, in order to reduce the risk of overdose.
Caution in the following circumstances.
Caution is called for when employing tricyclic antidepressants in patients with:
Cardiovascular disorders, especially those with cardiovascular insufficiency, conduction disorders (atrioventricular block grades I to III) or arrhythmias. Monitoring of cardiac function and the ECG is required in such patients, especially in the elderly. Myocardial infarction, precipitation of congestive cardiac failure, stroke and sudden death have been reported with drugs of this class.
A history of increased intraocular pressure, narrow-angle glaucoma.
Disorders of micturition due to an impeded flow of urine (e.g. in diseases of the prostate).
A low convulsion threshold (e.g. due to brain damage of varying aetiology; epilepsy; concomitant use of other drugs, such as neuroleptics, that may lower seizure threshold; and withdrawal from alcohol or drugs with anticonvulsive properties, such as benzodiazepines). The occurrence of seizures seems to be dose-dependent. Therefore, the recommended daily dose of clomipramine should not be exceeded.
Severe hepatic or renal disease.
Patients with tumours of the adrenal medulla (e.g. phaeochromocytoma, neuroblastoma), in whom the drug may provoke hypertensive crises.
Hyperthyroidism, or concomitant treatment with thyroid preparations, since aggravation of unwanted cardiac effects can generally be expected to occur owing to the anticholinergic action.
Chronic constipation, as tricyclic antidepressants may cause paralytic ileus, particularly in elderly and bed-ridden patients.
QTc prolongation.
There may be a risk of QTc prolongation and torsades de pointes, particularly at supra-therapeutic doses or supra-therapeutic plasma concentrations of clomipramine, as occur in the case of comedication with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin and noradrenergic reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Therefore, concomitant administration of drugs that can cause accumulation of clomipramine should be avoided (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions). Equally, concomitant administration of drugs that can prolong the QTc interval should be avoided. It is established that hypokalaemia is a risk factor for QTc prolongation and torsades de pointes. Therefore, hypokalaemia should be treated before initiating treatment with clomipramine. Clomipramine should be used with caution when combined with diuretics (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions).
Serotonin syndrome.
Due to the risk of serotonergic toxicity, it is advisable to adhere to recommended doses of clomipramine. Serotonin syndrome, with symptoms such as hyperpyrexia, myoclonus, agitation, seizures, delirium and coma, can possibly occur when clomipramine is co-administered with serotonergic medications such as SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants or lithium. For fluoxetine, a washout period of two to three weeks is advised before and after treatment with fluoxetine (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions).
Electroconvulsive therapy.
Concomitant use of tricyclic antidepressants and electroconvulsive therapy should only be undertaken under careful supervision as there is a minimal clinical experience with this combination.
Central nervous system effects.
Many patients with panic disorder experience intensified anxiety symptoms at the start of the treatment with clomipramine. This paradoxical initial increase in anxiety is most pronounced during the first few days of treatment and generally subsides within two weeks.
Owing to their activating effect, tricyclic antidepressants may cause anxiety, feelings of unrest and hyper-excitation in agitated patients and patients with accompanying schizophrenic symptoms.
Activation of psychosis has occasionally been observed in patients with schizophrenia receiving tricyclic antidepressants.
In predisposed and elderly patients, particularly at night, tricyclic antidepressants may provoke drug induced (delirious) psychoses, which disappear without treatment within a few days of withdrawing the drug.
Treatment discontinuation.
Abrupt discontinuation of clomipramine therapy should be avoided because of possible withdrawal symptoms (see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)). Therefore, dosage should be stopped gradually after regular use for long duration and the patient should be monitored carefully when clomipramine therapy is discontinued.
Patient monitoring.
Before initiating treatment with clomipramine, pre-existing hypokalaemia should be treated.
Before starting treatment, it is advisable to check the patient's blood pressure, because individuals with hypotension or a labile circulation may react to the drug with a fall in blood pressure.
The blood count should be monitored during treatment with clomipramine (especially if the patient develops fever, sore throat, or other symptoms which are associated with influenza infection), since isolated cases of agranulocytosis have been associated with the use of tricyclic antidepressants. This is particularly called for during the first few months of therapy and during prolonged treatment.
In patients with hepatic and renal disease or a history of liver disease, periodic monitoring of the hepatic enzyme levels and renal function is recommended (see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects), Hepatobiliary disorders).
Dental effects.
Treatment with tricyclic antidepressants can lead to an increased incidence of dental caries.
Effects on the eye.
Decreased lacrimation and accumulation of mucoid secretions may cause damage to the corneal epithelium in patients with contact lenses.
Anaesthesia.
Before general or local anaesthesia, the anaesthetist should be notified that the patient has been receiving clomipramine (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions, Alcohol and other central nervous system depressants).
Bipolar disorder and activation of mania/hypomania.
A major depressive episode may be the initial presentation of bipolar disorder. It is generally believed that treating such an episode with antidepressant alone can increase the likelihood of precipitation of a mixed/manic episode in patients at risk of bipolar disorder. Prior to initiating treatment with an antidepressant, patients should be adequately screened to determine if they are at risk for bipolar disorder; such screening should include a detailed psychiatric history, including a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder and depression.
Use in hepatic impairment.
In patients with hepatic impairment or a history of liver disease, periodic monitoring of the hepatic enzyme levels is recommended.
Use in renal impairment.
In patients with renal impairment, periodic monitoring of the renal function is recommended.
Lactose.
These tablets contain lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, severe lactase deficiency, sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take these tablets.
Use in the elderly.
See Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration, Use in the elderly.
Paediatric use.
The safety and efficacy of clomipramine for the treatment of depression or other psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents aged less than 18 years has not been satisfactorily established. Clomipramine should not be used in this age group for the treatment of depression or other psychiatric disorders. Long-term safety data in children and adolescents concerning growth, maturation and cognitive and behavioural development are not available.
Effects on laboratory tests.
No data available.4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions
Interactions resulting in a contraindication.
MAO inhibitors.
These agents, which are also potent CYP2D6 inhibitors in vivo, such as moclobemide, are contraindicated for co-administration with clomipramine.
If clomipramine is to be used after treatment with an MAO inhibitor, it is absolutely essential that an interval of at least 14 days should elapse before starting therapy, otherwise severe interactions may occur (e.g. hyperactivity, hypertensive crisis, hyperpyrexia, spasticity, convulsions, coma or death), including those consistent with serotonin syndrome (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Serotonin syndrome). The same precaution should be taken when administering a MAO inhibitor after previous treatment with clomipramine tablets. In either instance, medication with clomipramine tablets or with the MAO inhibitor should be started cautiously and the dosage raised stepwise until the optimum response is obtained (see Section 4.3 Contraindications).
There is evidence to suggest that clomipramine may be given as little as 24 hours after a reversible MAO-A inhibitor such as moclobemide, but the two-week washout period must be observed if the MAO-A inhibitor is given after clomipramine has been used. Patients should be monitored for symptoms suggestive of serotoninergic syndrome (serotonin syndrome).
Interactions resulting in a concomitant use not recommended.
Antiarrhythmic agents.
Antiarrhythmics (such as quinidine and propafenone) which are potent inhibitors of CYP2D6, should not be used in combination with tricyclic antidepressants.
Diuretics.
Co-medication of clomipramine with diuretics may lead to hypokalaemia, which in turn increases the risk of QTc prolongation and torsades de pointes. Therefore, hypokalaemia should be treated prior to administration of clomipramine (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, QTc prolongation).
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
SSRIs which are inhibitors of CYP2D6 (such as fluoxetine, paroxetine or sertraline) and of others, including CYP1A2 and CYP2C19 (e.g. fluvoxamine), may also increase plasma concentrations of clomipramine with corresponding adverse effects. Steady-state serum levels of clomipramine increased ~4-fold by co-administration of fluvoxamine and N-desmethylclomipramine decreased ~2-fold. For fluoxetine, a washout period of two to three weeks is advised before and after treatment with fluoxetine.
Serotonergic agents.
Serotonin syndrome can possibly occur when clomipramine is co-administered with serotonergic co-medications such as SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants or lithium (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Serotonin syndrome).
Interactions resulting in increased effect of clomipramine.
Concomitant administration of CYP2D6 inhibitors may lead to an increase in concentration of both active components, up to ~3-fold in patients with a debrisoquine/sparteine extensive metaboliser phenotype, converting them to a poor-metaboliser phenotype. Concomitant administration of CYP1A2, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 inhibitors is expected to increase clomipramine concentrations and decrease N-desmethylclomipramine, thus not necessarily affecting the overall pharmacology.
Oral antifungal, terbinafine.
Coadministration with terbinafine, a strong inhibitor of CYP2D6, may result in increased exposure and accumulation of clomipramine and its N-demethylated metabolite. Therefore, dose adjustments may be necessary when co-administered with terbinafine.
Cimetidine.
Since cimetidine is an inhibitor of several P450 enzymes, including CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, and raises the plasma concentration of tricyclic antidepressants, the dosage of the tricyclic agent should be reduced if the two drugs are administered concurrently.
Oral contraceptives.
No interaction between chronic oral contraceptive use (15 or 30 microgram ethinyloestradiol daily) and clomipramine (25 mg daily) has been documented. Oestrogens are not known to be inhibitors of CYP2D6, the major enzyme involved in clomipramine clearance, and, therefore, no interaction is expected. Although in a few cases with high dose oestrogen (50 microgram daily) and the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine, increased side effects and therapeutic response were noted, it is unclear as to the relevance of these cases to clomipramine and lower dose oestrogen regimens. Monitoring therapeutic response of tricyclic antidepressants at high dose oestrogen regimens (50 microgram daily) is recommended and dose adjustments may be necessary.
Antipsychotics.
Comedication of antipsychotics (e.g. phenothiazines) may result in an increase in the plasma concentration of tricyclic antidepressant agents, a lowered convulsion threshold and seizures. Combination with thioridazine may produce severe cardiac arrhythmias.
Methylphenidate.
By potentially inhibiting their metabolism, methylphenidate may cause the plasma concentration of tricyclic antidepressants to rise and so intensify their antidepressant effect. A dose reduction of the tricyclic antidepressant may be necessary.
Benzodiazepines.
It might be necessary to lower the dosage of the tricyclic antidepressant if administered concomitantly with alprazolam. No such effects are known to occur in combination with diazepam.
Disulfiram.
It might be necessary to lower the dosage of the tricyclic antidepressant if used concomitantly with disulfiram.
Valproate.
Concomitant administration of valproate with clomipramine may cause inhibition of CYP2C and/or UGT enzymes resulting in increased serum levels of clomipramine and desmethylclomipramine. Caution is therefore required when prescribing clomipramine to patients taking this medicine.
Grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or cranberry juice.
Concomitant administration of clomipramine with grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or cranberry juice may increase the plasma concentrations of clomipramine. Caution is therefore required when prescribing clomipramine to patients taking these products.
Interactions resulting in decreased effect of clomipramine.
Rifampicin and anticonvulsants.
CYP3A and CYP2C inducers, such as rifampicin or anticonvulsants (e.g. barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenobarbital and phenytoin), may decrease clomipramine concentrations as concomitant administration of drugs known to induce cytochrome P450 enzymes, particularly CYP3A4, CYP2C19 may accelerate the metabolism and decrease the efficacy of clomipramine.
Cigarette smoking.
Known inducers of CYP1A2 (e.g. nicotine/components in cigarette smoke) decrease plasma concentrations of tricyclic drugs. In cigarette smokers, clomipramine steady-state plasma concentrations were decreased 2-fold compared to non-smokers (no change in N-desmethylclomipramine).
Colestipol and cholestyramine.
Concomitant administration of ion exchange resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol may reduce the plasma levels of clomipramine. Caution is therefore required when prescribing clomipramine to patients taking these medicines.
St. John's wort.
Concomitant administration of St. John's wort may reduce the plasma levels of clomipramine. Caution is therefore required when prescribing clomipramine to patients taking St. John's wort.
Interactions affecting other drugs.
Anticholinergic agents.
When tricyclic antidepressants are given in combination with anticholinergics (including those used to treat patients with Parkinson's disease), atropine, antihistamines, biperiden or neuroleptics (such as phenothiazines with an anticholinergic action), hyperexcitation states or delirium may occur, as well as attacks of glaucoma, urinary retention or paralytic ileus.
Antihypertensive agents.
Since tricyclic antidepressants may reduce or abolish the antihypertensive effect of clonidine, guanethidine, bethanidine, reserpine and methyldopa, antihypertensive agents with a different mode of action (e.g. beta-blockers) should be used, if necessary.
Alcohol and other central nervous system depressants.
Tricyclic antidepressants may also increase the effect of alcohol and other central depressant substances (e.g. barbiturates, benzodiazepines or general anaesthetics).
Sympathomimetic amines.
The cardiovascular effects of sympathomimetic agents (such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, and amphetamine), may be potentiated by tricyclic antidepressants. This includes sympathomimetic amines in nose drops or in local anaesthetic preparations.
Anticoagulants.
Some tricyclic antidepressants may potentiate the anticoagulant effect of coumarin drugs such as warfarin, which may be due to inhibition of their hepatic metabolism (CYP2C9). There is no evidence for the ability of clomipramine to inhibit the metabolism of anticoagulants such as warfarin. However, careful monitoring of plasma prothrombin is advised.
Clomipramine is also an in vitro (Ki = 2.2 microM) and in vivo inhibitor of CYP2D6 activity (sparteine oxidation) and, therefore, may cause increased concentrations of co-administered compounds that are primarily cleared by CYP2D6 in extensive metabolisers.
Anticonvulsants.
Concomitant administration of a tricyclic antidepressant with phenytoin or carbamazepine may lead to elevated serum phenytoin or carbamazepine concentrations. If necessary, the doses of the drugs should be adjusted accordingly.
Pharmacokinetic-related interactions.
Clomipramine is predominately eliminated through metabolism. The primary route of metabolism is demethylation to form the active metabolite, N-desmethylclomipramine, followed by hydroxylation and further conjugation of both N-desmethylclomipramine and the parent drug. Several cytochrome P450s are involved in the demethylation, mainly CYP3A4, CYP2C19 and CYP1A2. Elimination of both active components is by hydroxylation and this is catalysed by CYP2D6 (see Section 5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties, Metabolism).4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation
Effects on fertility.
According to the experimental data available, clomipramine has no teratogenic effects. However, clomipramine has been shown to be embryotoxic in the mouse and rat at the lowest dose tested, which was 4 times the maximum recommended human dose on a body weight basis.
(Category C)
Tricyclic antidepressants have not been shown to be associated with an increased incidence of birth defects. However, there is evidence of interference with central monoamine neurotransmission in rats. Care should be taken that there are sound indications for the use of these antidepressants in pregnancy. Experience with clomipramine in pregnancy is limited. Since there have been isolated reports of a possible connection between the use of clomipramine and adverse effects (developmental disorders) on the foetus, treatment with clomipramine should be avoided during pregnancy and only considered if the expected benefits justify the potential risk for the foetus.
Newborn infants whose mothers had taken clomipramine up until delivery showed symptoms such as dyspnoea, cyanosis, lethargy, feeding difficulties, colic, irritability, convulsions, tremor, hypertonia, hypotonia or spasms, during the first hours or days of life. To guard against such symptoms, clomipramine should be gradually withdrawn if at all possible, at least seven weeks before the calculated date of confinement.
As clomipramine passes into human milk, babies should be weaned or clomipramine gradually withdrawn.4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines
Clomipramine may cause blurred vision, drowsiness and other central nervous system and psychiatric related disorders such as somnolence, disturbance in attention, confusion, disorientation, aggravation of depression, delirium etc (see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)) which may impair the patient's reactions. Patients must therefore be warned against engaging in activities that require quick reactions, such as driving motor vehicles and operating machines. Patients should also be warned that alcohol or other drugs may potentiate these effects (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions, Alcohol and other central nervous system depressants).
4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)
Adverse reactions do not always correlate with plasma drug levels or dose. If severe neurological or psychiatric reactions occur, clomipramine should be withdrawn.
Reporting frequencies are described as follows: very common: ≥ 10%; common: ≥ 1 to < 10%; uncommon: ≥ 0.1 to < 1%; rare: ≥ 0.01 to < 0.1%; very rare: < 0.01%.
Blood and lymphatic system disorders.
Very rare: leucopoenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia. One case of pancytopenia has been reported.
Cardiac disorders.
Common: orthostatic hypotension, sinus tachycardia, clinically irrelevant ECG changes (e.g. T- and ST-wave changes) in patients of normal cardiac status, palpitations. Uncommon: arrhythmias, blood pressure increased. Very rare: conduction disorders (e.g. widening of QRS complex, prolonged PR and QTc (QT/RR) intervals, bundle-branch block, torsades de pointes, particularly in patients with hypokalaemia), cardiomyopathy, congestive cardiac failure, myocardial infarction, stroke and sudden death.
Ear and labyrinth disorders.
Common: tinnitus.
Endocrine disorders.
Very rare: SIADH (inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion syndrome), testicular swelling, parotid swelling.
Eye disorders.
Very common: accommodation disorder, vision blurred. Common: mydriasis. Very rare: glaucoma.
Gastrointestinal disorders.
Very common: nausea, dry mouth, constipation. Common: vomiting, abdominal disorders, diarrhoea, anorexia. Very rare: paralytic ileus.
General disorders and administration site conditions.
Very common: fatigue. Very rare: oedema (local or generalised), alopecia, hyperpyrexia.
Hepatobiliary disorders.
Very rare: hepatitis with or without jaundice, acute hepatitis, hepatic necrosis.
Immune system disorders.
Very rare: anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions including hypotension.
Investigations.
Very common: weight increased. Common: transaminases increased, alkaline phosphatase increased. Very rare: electroencephalogram abnormal.
Metabolism and nutrition disorders.
Very common: increased appetite. Common: decreased appetite.
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders.
Common: muscular weakness.
Nervous system disorders.
Very common: drowsiness, dizziness, tremor, headache, myoclonus, somnolence, increased appetite. Common: speech disorders, paraesthesia, muscle hypertonia, dysgeusia, memory impairment, disturbance in attention. Uncommon: convulsions, ataxia. Very rare: peripheral neuropathy, neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Psychiatric disorders.
Very common: restlessness. Common: confusional state, disorientation, hallucinations (particularly in elderly patients and patients with Parkinson's disease), anxiety, agitation, sleep disorders, mania, hypomania, aggression, depersonalisation, insomnia, nightmares, aggravation of depression, delirium. Uncommon: activation of psychotic symptoms.
Renal and urinary disorders.
Very common: micturition disorder. Very rare: urinary retention.
Reproductive system and breast disorders.
Very common: libido disorder, erectile dysfunction. Common: galactorrhoea, breast enlargement.
Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders.
Common: yawning. Very rare: alveolitis allergic (pneumonitis) with or without eosinophilia.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders.
Very common: hyperhidrosis. Common: dermatitis allergic (skin rash, urticaria), photosensitivity reaction, pruritus. Very rare: purpura.
Vascular disorders.
Common: hot flush.
Withdrawal symptoms.
Common: although not indicative of addiction, withdrawal symptoms follow abrupt discontinuation of treatment or reduction of the dose: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, insomnia, headache, nervousness, anxiety, dizziness and worsening of psychiatric status.
Bone fractures.
Epidemiological studies, mainly conducted in patients 50 years of age and older, show an increased risk of bone fractures in patients receiving SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. The mechanism leading to this risk is unknown.
Geriatric population.
Elderly patients are particularly sensitive to anticholinergic, neurological, psychiatric or cardiovascular effects.
Additional adverse drug reactions from post-marketing spontaneous reports.
The following additional adverse drug reactions have been identified with Anafranil based on postmarketing spontaneous reports. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency.
Nervous system disorders.
Frequency unknown: Serotonin syndrome, extrapyramidal symptoms (including akathisia and tardive dyskinesia).
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders.
Frequency unknown: rhabdomyolysis (as a complication of neuroleptic malignant syndrome).
Reproductive system and breast disorders.
Frequency not known: ejaculation failure, ejaculation delayed.
Investigations.
Frequency unknown: blood prolactin increased.
Reporting suspected adverse effects.
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit-risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions at http://www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.4.9 Overdose
For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (Australia).
Since children react much more sensitively than adults to acute overdosages of tricyclic antidepressants, and since fatalities have been reported, every effort should be made to avoid an overdosage (see Section 6.4 Special Precautions for Storage, Safety note concerning children) which, if it does occur, should be treated with extreme care.
Symptoms.
The first signs and symptoms of poisoning with tricyclic antidepressants generally take the form of severe anticholinergic reactions, which set in about ½ to 2 hours after the drug has been taken. Owing to the delayed absorption (anticholinergic effect), long half-life and enterohepatic recycling of the drug, the patient may be at risk for up to 4 to 6 days.
The severity of poisoning with tricyclic antidepressants may depend on various factors, such as the amount of the drug absorbed, the time elapsing between its ingestion and the start of treatment, and the patient's age.
The following signs and symptoms may be encountered:
Central nervous system.
Somnolence, stupor, coma, ataxia, restlessness, agitation, mydriasis, hyperreflexia, muscular rigidity, athetoid and choreoathetosis, convulsions. In addition, symptoms consistent with serotonin syndrome (e.g. hyperpyrexia, myoclonus, delirium and coma) may be observed.
Cardiovascular system.
Arrhythmias (including torsades de pointes), tachycardia, conduction disorders, hypotension, shock, heart failure, QTc prolongation; in very rare cases, cardiac arrest.
Respiratory system.
Respiratory depression, apnoea, cyanosis.
Other.
Vomiting, fever, sweating, and oliguria or anuria may occur.
Treatment.
There is no specific antidote and treatment is essentially symptomatic and supportive. Where the drug has been taken by mouth activated charcoal should be administered.
Anyone suspected of receiving an overdose of clomipramine, particularly children, should be immediately hospitalised and kept under close surveillance for at least 72 hours. Severe poisoning with tricyclic antidepressants requires immediate hospitalisation and continuous cardiovascular monitoring for at least 48 hours. In all patients with ECG abnormalities, cardiac function should be kept under close observation for at least another 72 hours even after the ECG tracings have reverted to normal, because relapses may occur.
The following measures should also be taken in cases of overdosage:
In respiratory failure: intubation and artificial respiration.
In severe hypotension: place the patient in an appropriate position and give a plasma expander.
Cardiac arrhythmias must be treated according to the requirements of the case.
Implantation of a cardiac pacemaker should be considered.
Low serum potassium and acidosis should be corrected.
In convulsions, diazepam should be given intravenously. Other anticonvulsants may be required.
Dialysis and haemodialysis are of no use.5 Pharmacological Properties
5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties
Mechanism of action.
Clomipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant. It inhibits the neuronal re-uptake of noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT) released in the synaptic cleft, inhibition of 5-HT uptake being the dominant component of this activity. Clomipramine also has a wide spectrum of pharmacological action, including alpha1-adrenolytic, anticholinergic, antihistaminic and anti-serotonergic (5-HT-receptor blocking) properties.
Clinical trials.
No data available.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties
Absorption.
The active substance is completely absorbed following oral administration, but due to extensive hepatic first pass metabolism to the active metabolite, N-desmethylclomipramine, less than 50% of a dose reaches the systemic circulation unchanged.
During oral administration of constant daily doses of clomipramine, the steady-state plasma concentrations of clomipramine show wide variations between patients. The standard dose recommended for treatment of depression (i.e. 75 mg, administered as 25 mg clomipramine orally three times daily), produced steady state concentrations ranging from 31 nanogram/mL to 186 nanogram/mL. This scatter reflects differences in clomipramine's distribution volume and clearance between individuals. Variations in concentration in any one patient are much less than those between patients.
The steady-state concentrations of the active metabolite, N-desmethylclomipramine follow a similar pattern. On average, they reach 68-334 nanogram/mL at a dose of 75 mg clomipramine per day.
The plasma clearance of clomipramine in elderly patients is lower than in patients in intermediate age groups. As a result, elderly patients require smaller doses of clomipramine.
Distribution.
Clomipramine is highly (97.6%) bound to serum proteins. Its distribution and elimination follow two compartment kinetics, with a beta-phase half-life of 21 hours (range 12 to 36 hours). The principle metabolite, N-desmethylclomipramine, has a beta-phase half-life in the range of 13 to 25 hours.
In the cerebrospinal fluid the concentration is equivalent to about 2% of the plasma concentration.
The distribution volume of unchanged clomipramine is approximately 12 L/kg body weight.
Metabolism.
The primary route of clomipramine metabolism is demethylation to form the active metabolite, N-desmethylclomipramine. N-desmethylclomipramine can be formed by several P450 enzymes, primarily CYP3A4, CYP2C19 and CYP1A2. Clomipramine and N-desmethylclomipramine are hydroxylated to form 8-hydroxyclomipramine or 8-hydroxy-N-desmethylclomipramine. The activity of the 8-hydroxy metabolites is not defined in vivo. Clomipramine is also hydroxylated at the 2-position and N-desmethylclomipramine can be further demethylated to form didesmethylclomipramine. The 2- and 8-hydroxy metabolites are excreted primarily as glucuronides in the urine. Elimination of the active components, clomipramine and N-desmethylclomipramine, by formation of 2- and 8-hydroxy clomipramine is catalysed by CYP2D6.
Excretion.
Two-thirds of a single dose of clomipramine is excreted in the form of water-soluble conjugates in the urine and about one-third in the faeces. The quantity of unchanged clomipramine and N-desmethylclomipramine excreted in the urine amounts in each instance to less than 1% of the dose administered.
5.3 Preclinical Safety Data
Genotoxicity.
According to the experimental data available, clomipramine has no mutagenic effects.
Carcinogenicity.
According to the experimental data available, clomipramine has no carcinogenic effects.6 Pharmaceutical Particulars
6.1 List of Excipients
Each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, colloidal anhydrous silica, hypromellose, macrogol 3350, titanium dioxide, iron oxide yellow, carnauba wax.
6.2 Incompatibilities
Incompatibilities were either not assessed or not identified as part of the registration of this medicine.
6.3 Shelf Life
In Australia, information on the shelf life can be found on the public summary of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The expiry date can be found on the packaging.
6.4 Special Precautions for Storage
Store below 25°C. Protect from heat and moisture.
Safety note concerning children.
Patients should be advised to keep clomipramine tablets out of the reach of children.
6.5 Nature and Contents of Container
Clear PVC/PVDC/Aluminium silver foil, blister packs of 50 tablets (AUST R 73878).
6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal
In Australia, any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of by taking to your local pharmacy.
6.7 Physicochemical Properties
Clomipramine is the 3-chloro derivative of imipramine. It is a white crystalline powder, soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol and insoluble in diethyl ether.
Chemical structure.
Chemical name: 3-chloro-5-[3-(dimethylamino)-propyl]10, 11-dihydro-5H dibenz [b,f]azepine hydrochloride.
Structural formula:
Molecular formula: C19H23N2Cl.HCl.
Molecular weight: 351.3.
CAS number.
17321-77-6.7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)
S4 - Prescription Only Medicine.
Summary Table of Changes
