Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ANAFRANIL versus IMIPRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ANAFRANIL versus IMIPRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE.
ANAFRANIL vs IMIPRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Clomipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, with a higher potency for serotonin reuptake inhibition. It also has anticholinergic, antihistaminergic, and alpha-adrenergic blocking properties.
Tricyclic antidepressant that inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin at presynaptic neuronal membranes, increasing their synaptic concentrations. Also has anticholinergic, antihistaminergic, and alpha-1 adrenergic blocking effects.
Initial: 25 mg PO tid; increase gradually to 100-150 mg/day. Maximum: 250 mg/day. Maintenance: lowest effective dose.
Initial 75 mg/day orally in divided doses, increase to 150-200 mg/day; maximum 300 mg/day. For maintenance, 50-150 mg/day orally.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life of clomipramine is approximately 21-26 hours; its active metabolite, desmethylclomipramine, has a half-life of approximately 36-42 hours. Steady-state is achieved within 7-14 days.
Terminal half-life 11-25 hours (mean ~20 h); clinical context: steady-state achieved in ~1 week, dosing adjustment needed in hepatic impairment
Renal (primarily as conjugated metabolites, ~60-70% over 72 hours); fecal (biliary excretion of ~10-20%); <2% excreted unchanged in urine.
Renal (70% as metabolites, <5% unchanged), biliary/fecal (30%)
Category C
Category C
Tricyclic Antidepressant
Tricyclic Antidepressant