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clomipramine vs methylphenidate

Side-by-side comparison of clomipramine and methylphenidate. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

The plasma concentration of CMI has been reported to be increased by the concomitant administration of haloperidol; plasma levels of several closely related tricyclic antidepressants have been reported to be increased by the concomitant administration of methylphenidate or hepatic enzyme inhibitors (e.g., cimetidine, fluoxetine) and decreased by the concomitant administration of hepatic enzyme inducers (e.g., barbiturates, phenytoin), and such an effect may be anticipated with CMI as well.

Recommendation: Your doctor may need to change your clomipramine dose and check how you are feeling more often.

Drug Class
clomipramine Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA)
methylphenidate CNS Stimulant
Type
clomipramine Prescription
methylphenidate Prescription
Summary
clomipramine

Clomipramine (Anafranil) is a medicine used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It helps reduce unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors.

methylphenidate

Methylphenidate extended-release capsules are a stimulant medicine. They are used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children ages 6 to 12.

What It Treats
clomipramine

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.

methylphenidate

This medicine treats Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. ADHD can make it hard to focus, pay attention, and control impulsive behavior. This medicine can help improve focus and reduce hyperactivity.

How It Works
clomipramine

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.

methylphenidate

Methylphenidate is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It works by affecting chemicals in the brain that contribute to hyperactivity and impulsivity. The extended-release capsules release the medicine in two stages, providing both an immediate and a delayed effect.

Common Side Effects
clomipramine
  • Dry mouth
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Upset stomach
  • Sleepiness
methylphenidate
  • Headache
  • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
  • Upper abdominal pain
  • Decreased appetite
  • Loss of appetite (anorexia)
FAERS Reports
clomipramine
  • Interaction with another medicine 226
  • Sleepiness 203
  • Falling down 202
  • Shaking 185
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 173
methylphenidate
  • Problem with the quality of the medicine 5,241
  • Mistake in giving the medicine 1,901
  • Incorrect way of using the medicine 1,772
  • Redness where the medicine was applied 1,684
  • Skipping a dose of the medicine 1,478
Serious Warnings
clomipramine

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.

methylphenidate

This medicine has a high potential for abuse and dependence. Your doctor will assess your risk before prescribing it and monitor you during treatment. Misuse of this medicine may cause sudden death or serious heart problems.

Pregnancy
clomipramine

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.

methylphenidate

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take ADHD medicines during pregnancy.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This clomipramine vs methylphenidate Comparison

clomipramine is classified in the Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) drug class, while methylphenidate sits within the CNS Stimulant class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. 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, clomipramine has 989 submissions while methylphenidate has 12,076. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to methylphenidate can interfere with how your body gets rid of clomipramine. this causes the amount of clomipramine in your system to increase.. 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 clomipramine and methylphenidate - 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.