amitriptyline vs clomipramine
Side-by-side comparison of amitriptyline and clomipramine Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Elavil
Anafranil
Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat depression. It may take up to 30 days to feel the full effect.
Clomipramine (Anafranil) is a medicine used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It helps reduce unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors.
Amitriptyline is used to relieve the symptoms of depression. It works best for a type of depression called endogenous depression. This is depression that comes from within, rather than being caused by outside events.
Clomipramine treats obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD causes upsetting thoughts or images that keep coming back. It also causes the need to repeat actions over and over. Clomipramine can help control these symptoms.
Amitriptyline belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). It works by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain. These chemicals help improve your mood.
Clomipramine is a type of antidepressant. It works by increasing the amount of certain chemicals in the brain. These chemicals help regulate mood and reduce OCD symptoms.
- • Drowsiness
- • Dizziness
- • Weakness
- • Fatigue
- • Headache
- • Dry mouth
- • Constipation
- • Nausea
- • Upset stomach
- • Sleepiness
- Pain 1,564
- Feeling sick to your stomach 1,434
- Head pain 1,380
- Tiredness 1,369
- Shortness of breath 1,340
- Interaction with another medicine 226
- Sleepiness 203
- Falling down 202
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 193
- Shaking 185
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teens, and young adults. Your doctor should closely monitor you for worsening depression or unusual changes in behavior. Amitriptyline is not approved for use in children.
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teens, and young adults. Watch closely for worsening mood or unusual behavior. Clomipramine is only approved for OCD in children.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It is not known if amitriptyline will harm your unborn baby. Amitriptyline can pass into breast milk.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Clomipramine may harm your unborn baby. It can also pass into breast milk, so talk to your doctor about breastfeeding.
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How to Read This amitriptyline vs clomipramine Comparison
amitriptyline is classified in the Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) drug class, while clomipramine sits within the Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, amitriptyline has 7,087 submissions while clomipramine has 1,009. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between amitriptyline and clomipramine — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.