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Anafranil vs. Paxil

Are Anafranil and Paxil the Same Thing?

Anafranil (clomipramine hydrochloride) and Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) are types of antidepressants used to treat symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Paxil is also used to treat depression, panic attacks, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

Anafranil and Paxil are different types of antidepressants. Anafranil is a tricyclic and Paxil is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

What Are Possible Side Effects of Anafranil?

Common side effects of Anafranil include:

Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Anafranil including:

  • mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, depression),
  • enlarged or painful breasts,
  • unwanted breast milk production,
  • irregular or painful menstrual periods,
  • muscle stiffness,
  • ringing in the ears,
  • shakiness (tremors), or
  • trouble urinating.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Paxil?

Common side effects of Paxil include:

  • headache,
  • nervousness,
  • restlessness,
  • drowsiness,
  • dizziness,
  • nasal irritation,
  • sleep problems (insomnia),
  • nausea,
  • constipation,
  • weight changes,
  • decreased sex drive,
  • impotence,
  • difficulty having an orgasm,
  • dry mouth,
  • yawning, or
  • ringing in the ears.

What Is Anafranil?

Anafranil (clomipramine hydrochloride) is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) such as recurrent thoughts or feelings and repetitive actions.

What Is Paxil?

Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

What Drugs Interact With Anafranil?

Anafranil may interact with SSRI antidepressants, cimetidine, guanethidine, methylphenidate, phenytoin, warfarin, heart or blood pressure medications, heart rhythm medications, or anti-psychotic medications. Many other drugs can interact with Anafranil.

What Drugs Interact With Paxil?

Call your doctor immediately if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Paxil may interact with cold or allergy medicines, sedatives, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicines for seizures or anxiety, other antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blood thinners, cimetidine, fentanyl, fosamprenavir, ritonavir, St. John's wort, tamoxifen, theophylline, tramadol, L-tryptophan, heart medications, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, almotriptan, frovatriptan, sumatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, or zolmitriptan. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking Paxil. Paxil may cause heart defects or serious lung problems in a newborn if you take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. Do not start or stop taking Paxil during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Paxil passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Consult doctor before breastfeeding. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking Paxil.

How Should Anafranil Be Taken?

The adult starting dose of Anafranil is 25 mg daily and gradually increased, as tolerated, to approximately 100 mg during the first 2 weeks. Maximum dose is 250 mg daily. Consult your doctor for pediatric or adolescent dosing.

How Should Paxil Be Taken?

The recommended initial dose of Paxil depends on the condition being treated and ranges from 20 mg/day to 50 mg/day.

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