Compare Anafranil vs. desipramine
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Helps control obsessive or compulsive behaviors.
Anafranil (clomipramine) effectively treats obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but has potentially intolerable side effects.
Stabilizes your mood.
Norpramin (desipramine) is not a first choice for treating depression because of its effects on the heart, but it can be good if other medicines haven't worked.
Upsides
- Anafranil (clomipramine) can help with falling sleep.
- Anafranil (clomipramine) has a lower risk of causing heart problems compared to other medications like it.
- Safe to use by children.
- Norpramin (desipramine) is available in generic and in many different strengths, so the dose can be more customized.
- Norpramin (desipramine) has fewer side effects than similar tricyclic antidepressants.
Downsides
- Anafranil (clomipramine) is more likely to cause side effects than other medications for OCD.
- Anafranil (clomipramine) can affect sexual performance for men.
- It is not recommended for the elderly because it can cause fainting and falls.
- Norpramin (desipramine) isn't recommended if you or your family has heart disease, seizures, or glaucoma.
- Norpramin (desipramine) isn't a first choice for depression because it has more side effects than other antidepressants.
- In some people, Norpramin (desipramine) can make you sleepy. In other people, Norpramin (desipramine) can keep you awake.
- If you have diabetes, Norpramin (desipramine) can make your blood sugar go up.
- Not recommended in children under 12 years of age.
Used for
- Depression
- Diabetic neuropathy
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$73.74
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$63.60
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Reviews
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Side effects
109possible side effects
- Dry mouth84%
- Sleepiness54%
- Tremor54%
- Dizziness54%
- Headache52%
- Constipation47%
- Ejaculation failure42%
- Fatigue39%
- Nausea33%
- Increased sweating28%
- Insomnia25%
- Upset stomach22%
- Loss of appetite22%
- Sex drive changes21%
- Impotence20%
- Nervousness18%
- Weight increase18%
- Abnormal vision18%
- Sore throat14%
- Urinary problems14%
- Muscle contractions13%
- Diarrhea13%
- Joint pain13%
- Abdominal pain13%
- Runny nose12%
- Menstrual cramps12%
- Increased appetite11%
- Burning/prickling skin sensation9%
- Memory problems9%
- Anxiety9%
- Sleep disorder9%
- Rash8%
- Flushing8%
- Changes in taste8%
- Twitching7%
- Vomiting7%
- Memory impairment7%
- Chest pain7%
- Allergy7%
- Weight decrease7%
- Asthma attacks7%
- Urinary retention7%
- Itching of the skin6%
- Gas6%
- Changes in blood pressure6%
- Stuffy nose6%
- Coughing6%
- Urinary tract infection6%
- Ringing in the ears6%
- Back pain6%
- Impaired concentration5%
- Depression5%
- Tooth disorder5%
- Hot flushes5%
- Increased urination5%
- Increased muscle tone4%
- Fever4%
- Palpitation4%
- Fast heartbeat4%
- Unusual milk production4%
- Menstrual disorder4%
- Pain4%
- Ear infections4%
- Changes in heartbeat4%
- Psychosomatic disorder3%
- Yawning3%
- Confusion3%
- Speech disorder3%
- Abnormal dreaming3%
- Agitation3%
- Migraine3%
- Excess tearing3%
- Social detachment2%
- Irritability2%
- Mood swings2%
- Skin irritation2%
- Acne2%
- Dry skin2%
- Gastrointestinal disorder2%
- Difficulty swallowing2%
- Local swelling2%
- Chills2%
- Nose bleed2%
- Painful urination2%
- Bladder pain2%
- Vaginal itching2%
- Increased vaginal discharge2%
- Breast enlargement2%
- Pupil dilation2%
- Thirst2%
- Muscle twitching2%
- Tingling or burning sensation2%
- Hypertonia2%
- Panic reaction2%
- Aggressive reaction2%
- Muscle weakness2%
- Abnormal skin odor2%
- Excessive burping2%
- Sores around the mouth2%
- Lack of energy2%
- Bad breath2%
- Fainting2%
- Dyspnea2%
- Laryngitis2%
- Changes in pupils2%
- Eyelid twitching2%
- Eye allergies2%
- Balance problems2%
- Anemia2%
The Norpramin (desipramine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Age 24 years or younger
- Serotonin syndrome
- Antidepressants
- Lithium
- Triptans
- St. John's wort
- Fentanyl
- Tramadol
- MAO inhibitors
- Seizures
- History of seizure
- Taking other medicines that increase seizure risk
- Brain damage
- Alcoholism
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Stopping Anafranil (clomipramine) suddenly
- Low blood pressure
- Age 65 years or older
- Eye problems
- Higher risk of suicide
- People under age 24
- Possible bipolar disorder
- Serotonin syndrome
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Fentanyl
- Tramadol
- Buspirone
- ADHD medicines
- Triptans
- Changes to the heartbeat
- History of heart disease
- Higher risk for seizures
- History of seizures
- History of brain damage or alcohol withdrawal