Introduction

Name

• Clomipramine.

Class of drug

• Tricyclic antidepressant.

Description

Chemical name

• 3-Chloro-10,11-dihydro-N,N-dimethyl-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine-5-propanamine; 3-chloro-5-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine.

Molecular formula

• C19H23ClN2.

Storage requirements

• Store below 30°C.
• Keep dry.

Uses

Indications

• May be useful in the management of obsessive-compulsive canine behaviours Stereotype behavior such as tail chasing, fly biting, flank sucking, licking associated with lick granulomas Skin: acral lick granuloma.
• Separation anxiety in dogs.
• Elimination problems in cats.
• It should be used in combination with behavioural therapy for separation related disorders manifested by destruction and inappropriate urination and defecation.

Administration

Precautions

Interactions

with other drugs

Anesthetics, anti-arrhythmics

• Concurrent use increases the risk of arrhythmias.

Anti-epileptics

• Clomipramine antagonizes the effects of anti-epileptic drugs.

Sedatives

• Enhances the effects of sedative drugs.
• Do not use in conjunction with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
• Certain drugs auch as phenytoin may have increased plasma levels if used simultaneously.
• May potentiate the effects of quinidine, anticholinergic drugs, eg atropine, other drugs acting on the CNS and sympathomimetics.

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Landsberg G M (2001) Clomipramine--beyond separation anxiety. JAAHA 37 (4), 313-318 PubMed.
• Horwitz D F (2000) Diagnosis and treatment of canine separation anxiety and the use of clomipramine hydrochloride (clomicalm). JAAHA 36 (2), 107-109 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Based on BSAVA Small Animal Formulary. Ramsey I (2017) 9th edn. Cheltenham: BSAVA.