Possible Benefits. Helpful for depression as well as panic. Continued improvement for several months. Tolerance does not develop. Non-addicting. Causes little or no drowsiness. Helpful for depression as well as panic. Continued improvement for several months. Tolerance does not develop. Non-addicting. Causes little or no drowsiness.

Possible Disadvantages. Not much help for anticipatory anxiety. Response requires weeks or months. Use in pregnancy or breast-feeding only with physician's approval. Avoid alcohol completely. Increases sensitivity to sun.. Not much help for anticipatory anxiety. Response requires weeks or months. Use in pregnancy or breast-feeding only with physician's approval. Avoid alcohol completely. Increases sensitivity to sun.

Possible Side Effects. See tricyclic antidepressants side effects, above. Postural hypotension, memory impairment, jitteriness, tremor, insomnia (especially on initiation) and the anticholinergic effects of dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention. Insomnia and the tendency for weight gain are mild. Sedation is rare. See tricyclic antidepressants side effects, above. Postural hypotension, memory impairment, jitteriness, tremor, insomnia (especially on initiation) and the anticholinergic effects of dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention. Insomnia and the tendency for weight gain are mild. Sedation is rare.

Dosages Recommended by Investigators. Once daily, 25-300 mg per day. Taper gradually.. Once daily, 25-300 mg per day. Taper gradually.

Possible Benefits. Helps depression as well as panic. Continued improvement for several months. Helps depression as well as panic. Continued improvement for several months.

Possible Disadvantages. Not much help for anticipatory anxiety. Response requires weeks or months. Often requires several blood tests over the first weeks to establish the proper level of the medication. Avoid use during first three months of pregnancy. Increases sensitivity to the sun.. Not much help for anticipatory anxiety. Response requires weeks or months. Often requires several blood tests over the first weeks to establish the proper level of the medication. Avoid use during first three months of pregnancy. Increases sensitivity to the sun.

Possible Side Effects. Less jitteriness than imipramine; less postural hypotension than other tricyclic antidepressants; lightheadedness, mild sedation (sleepiness), weight gain, insomnia, impaired urination and anticholinergic effects (20% experience dry mouth).. Less jitteriness than imipramine; less postural hypotension than other tricyclic antidepressants; lightheadedness, mild sedation (sleepiness), weight gain, insomnia, impaired urination and anticholinergic effects (20% experience dry mouth).

Dosages Recommended by Investigators. Once a day, starting at 10 to 25 mg. Therapeutic dose is typically between 50 and 75 mg per day, with some individuals requiring up to 150 mg, based on blood level. Taper slowly. . Once a day, starting at 10 to 25 mg. Therapeutic dose is typically between 50 and 75 mg per day, with some individuals requiring up to 150 mg, based on blood level. Taper slowly.

Possible Benefits. Helps control obsessive-compulsive disorder by reducing the duration and intensity of these symptoms and the corresponding anxiety. May help as much as imipramine for panic attacks. Relieves depression. Helps control obsessive-compulsive disorder by reducing the duration and intensity of these symptoms and the corresponding anxiety. May help as much as imipramine for panic attacks. Relieves depression.

Possible Disadvantages. Strong side effects. Takes about four to six weeks to work. Patients with certain abnormal electrocardiograms, with narrow-angle glaucoma, or with an enlarged prostate should not take this medication. Avoid during last three months of pregnancy to prevent withdrawal symptoms in infant. Can be expensive.. Strong side effects. Takes about four to six weeks to work. Patients with certain abnormal electrocardiograms, with narrow-angle glaucoma, or with an enlarged prostate should not take this medication. Avoid during last three months of pregnancy to prevent withdrawal symptoms in infant. Can be expensive.

Possible Side Effects. Like imipramine, you may experience more general anxiety the first few days up to three weeks. The most common side effects are headaches, drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation and insomnia. Other common side effects are blurred vision, urinary retention, fatigue, weight gain, postural hypotension, nervousness, muscle twitching, decreased ability to have orgasm (42% of men), increased sweating, and sedation (sleepiness). Increases sensitivity to the sun. Elderly patients may experience confusion and memory impairment.. Like imipramine, you may experience more general anxiety the first few days up to three weeks. The most common side effects are headaches, drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation and insomnia. Other common side effects are blurred vision, urinary retention, fatigue, weight gain, postural hypotension, nervousness, muscle twitching, decreased ability to have orgasm (42% of men), increased sweating, and sedation (sleepiness). Increases sensitivity to the sun. Elderly patients may experience confusion and memory impairment.

Dosages Recommended by Investigators. Ranging from 150 to 300 mg per day. Usually start at 25 mg for a few days. Increase by 25 mg every three to four days to 100 mg per day, usually taken in one dose. Raise the dose over the next few weeks to a maximum of 300 mg. Taking the dose at night can sometimes reduce the side effects. It takes four to six weeks to notice significant therapeutic benefits from clomipramine. Ranging from 150 to 300 mg per day. Usually start at 25 mg for a few days. Increase by 25 mg every three to four days to 100 mg per day, usually taken in one dose. Raise the dose over the next few weeks to a maximum of 300 mg. Taking the dose at night can sometimes reduce the side effects. It takes four to six weeks to notice significant therapeutic benefits from clomipramine . The full range of benefits may take twelve weeks. Taper slowly, over three to four weeks or longer.