clomipramine vs nortriptyline
Side-by-side comparison of clomipramine and nortriptyline Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Anafranil
Pamelor
Clomipramine (Anafranil) is a medicine used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It helps reduce unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors.
Nortriptyline (Pamelor) is a medicine used to treat depression. It can help improve your mood.
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.
Nortriptyline is used to relieve the symptoms of depression. It may work better for some types of depression than others. Talk to your doctor to see if nortriptyline is right for you.
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.
Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). It works by increasing the levels of certain natural chemicals in the brain. These chemicals help regulate mood.
- • Dry mouth
- • Constipation
- • Nausea
- • Upset stomach
- • Sleepiness
- • Dry mouth
- • Blurred vision
- • Constipation
- • Drowsiness
- • Dizziness
- Interaction with another medicine 226
- Sleepiness 203
- Falling down 202
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 193
- Shaking 185
- The medicine is not working 777
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 705
- Pain 695
- Headache 679
- Tiredness 594
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.
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. Your doctor will monitor you closely for worsening depression or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should also watch for these changes.
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.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Nortriptyline may not be safe for your baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
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How to Read This clomipramine vs nortriptyline Comparison
clomipramine is classified in the Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) drug class, while nortriptyline 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, clomipramine has 1,009 submissions while nortriptyline has 3,450. 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 clomipramine and nortriptyline — 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.