Anafranil SR Description

Anafranil SR is prescribed as a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) drug for treating depression, obsessions, and irrational fears called phobias in those eighteen years of age and older. Anafranil SR (sustained release) works on chemical compounds in your brain called neurotransmitters; in particular serotonin and noradrenaline. This treatment can mean you are able to work, go to school, and join in family or social events and enjoy yourself and the company that surrounds you.

What Happens When You Take Anafranil SR?

Neurotransmitters act as chemical messengers between your nerve cells. As serotonin and noradrenaline are released, they help stabilize your moods and give you a sense of well-being. Anafranil SR helps to block their absorption, also called reuptake, so you retain more of these chemicals in your brain to help send and receive messages. This seems to regulate your moods more effectively so you will stop feeling sad or blue. Your irrational fears and obsessions can also become less intrusive as your moods have evened out and you are less stressful or filled with angst.

Conditions Treated by Anafranil SR

Phobias can rule you entire life if you let them. A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that causes you to dread a situation, a living creature, place, or thing to the point of total panic in some cases. The main focus of your time is spent avoiding something that you stand a very small chance of coming into contact with; but if you do, it can cause you to be unable to function properly. By balancing some of the chemicals in your brain, this intense feeling of dread can be dealt with rationally so you can relax and enjoy living your life.

Anafranil SR is also helpful for treating obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) that can interfere with your daily activities as you can spend hours arranging objects just right, counting, washing your hands, or returning home because you think you left an appliance on. Those with cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness) associated with narcolepsy can also benefit from an Rx for Anafranil SR.

Before You Take Anafranil SR

Explain other medical conditions or allergies you have to your doctor and list all OTC or Rx medicine you are taking, including vitamin supplements or homeopathic remedies. This will determine if Anafranil SR is the right medication for you. Ask your doctor if taking Anafranil SR while you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or if you are breast feeding could pose a health risk to your unborn or nursing baby.

Anafranil SR Precautions

You should not drink alcohol while taking Anafranil SR as it could increase the drugs’ effects on you. These tablets must be swallowed whole and not broken, chewed or crushed. Anafranil SR tablets are sustained-release tablets that are designed to release the Clomipramine slowly and continuously over several hours. This produces steady blood levels of the medicine throughout the day.

If you are scheduled for any dental or surgical procedures, tell the medical staff you are taking Anafranil SR as it may interact with local or general anesthetics.

Possible Side Effects of Anafranil SR

• Increased appetite
• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness

Drugs Similar to Anafranil SR

• Prozac
• Paxil
• Anafranil