Clomipramine in short supply

[Guest Checkmate]

Hi all

Has anyone been affected by the UK-wide shortage of Clomipramine tablets?

I have been on these for many years and have been given Amitriptyline as an alternative.

Thanks

Paul

[felix4]

Hi Paul,

Yes I have.

Do you have any idea what it is all about, & why such a huge shortage? Also, how are you getting on with amitriptyline? I found that really helpful for depression prior to having OCD, but apparently it is of no use for OCD.

[Caramoole]

I had a quick search about this and found this

4/11 January 2014 Anafranil

Novartis is discontinuing Anafranil (clomipramine hydrochloride) capsules 10, 25 and 50mg following the close of the UK manufacturing site where the capsules were previously made. The current stock is expected to last until the end of January 2014 for Anafranil capsules 10mg and 50mg, and until August 2014 for Anafranil capsules 25mg

[bumps]

Hi everyone

My last prescription of clomipramine was made up of 25mg tablets instead of 50mg, I take 200mg of clomipramine a day so at present I have to take 8 tablets to maintain my dose. Are they discontinuing with clomipramine then? My current prescription will run out in a couple of weeks, what are we supposed to do? I have tried various other medications for my OCD, clomipramine is the only one that has made a difference, I really don't want to be without it.

Slightly concerned.

Bumps

[Caramoole]

Are they discontinuing with clomipramine then?

I don't think so..it appears that the manufacturers of Anafranil (Brand Name) have shut down their UK Manufacturing plant but there should be a generic form. It just may be that it's bad planning that's causing the current shortage and that availability of the generic form Clomipramine will catch up in time.

[bumps]

Hi Caramoole

Thanks for the reply, I hope you are right I don't want to be without mine. Do you think they will bring this drug in from abroad? I was hoping to get back to my 50mg tablets with all my other medication I take for my OCD I am taking 14 tablets a day, I tend to rattle when I walk!

Bumps

[Guest messihead]

In terms of chlomipramine I had bad side effects... eg: sweating prufisle and also nightmare it didn't agree with me at all. Sweats were terrible but all in all got told not a good drug

[Guest Checkmate]

Hi again

Thanks for all your replies :original:

Felix4 - I haven't yet started on the new medication - I start in a few week's time.

bumps - I too rely on Clomipramine and have done for many years, so am not looking forward to an alternative.

Caramoole - Thanks for the info

I will keep you posted on how I get on.

Paul

[Guest Icicle]

I also take 200mg a day and have been having to take 8 tablets a day. The chemist asked me to speak to my GP about an alternative, I have only been on Clomipramine since August and it has changed my life, I don't know what I would do if I had to now be given an alternative, no other tablets have ever helped me in this way. Really panicking about this

Edited April 6, 2014 by Icicle

[bumps]

Hi Icicle

I understand how you feel I'm worried that I will have to change, I have an appointment with my GP next week I'll have to ask him what's going to happen. I have just started taking quetiapine to accompany my clomipramine does that mean I'll have to stop taking that too?

I hope you are otherwise ok.

Bumps

[Guest Icicle]

You'll have to let us know what your GP says, my GP is a bit rubbish with ocd stuff, I was prescribed Clomipramine by a psychiatrist who I no longer see, I worry my GP wouldn't recognise what a huge deal it would be for me to change my meds :/ As if we don't have enough to worry about lol

[Guest FobicFairy]

I noted on the information Caramoole posted it said 'capsules', doesn't that mean the ones that have the hard exterior with powder in the middle? I think those that take tablets instead should be ok.

FF

[Guest Icicle]

I take capsules, with a hard exterior and powder in the middle. Is there another brand that comes as tablets?

[bumps]

Hi Icicle and FF

I take clomipramine capsules too. I'm lucky my GP is very up to date on mental health and OCD so I have found his input helpful. Icicle could you not switch GPs are there many in your practice? any of them specialising in mental health? My appointment isn't till the 15th April I will let you know what happens, I'm already keeping my fingers crossed nothing will change. I'm in no man's land at the moment I am waiting to see if I can be re-referred back in to see my psychologist and do some more ERP it's already been 8 weeks since my GP challenged it with my psychologist and I've heard nothing.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you too.

Take care

Bumps

[Ashley]

I know medication is different for everyone, but is anyone finding they got on well with Clomipramine and now doing ok with an alternative? I had a caller today with similar problems as you describe here. Have the GP's not been given any advice by the drug company for their patients still on it?

[Guest Icicle]

I am starting to really worry about this now, surely they can't just take it off the market without there being any sort of replacement??

[Ashley]

I am starting to really worry about this now, surely they can't just take it off the market without there being any sort of replacement??

All about profits for drug companies, if their license expired, they perhaps now think there is not enough profit in it for them here. I think the generic form of the med should be available soon, I have asked a pharmacist I know to see if she can find anything out, and Catherine is seeking advice next week from Merseycare whom she works for.

[Guest Icicle]

Hopefully we'll hear something positive from someone soon then

[CJay]

I've only recently had my dose of Clomipramine increased and I find it's helping more than any other medication I've been prescribed - I rely on it to maintain some sort of day to day functioning.

[Guest Checkmate]

Hi all

I went to see my GP again about the lack of Clomipramine and he has supplied me with another prescription for it which I took to my local pharmacy.

The head pharmacist says he can get and reserve enough to last me a week and will supply me on a weekly basis. I take 200mg per day and the only size he can get hold of is 25mg tablets - but this is better than nothing I suppose. I do not want to take a different tablet. He says he can get only get hold of a couple of boxes a week (due to the short supply) which he will reserve for me.

It may be worth speaking to your pharmacy about supplying on this basis.

Paul

[whitebeam]

I rely on clomipramine too. I have been on 200mg for about 10 years - last time I went to collect my meds the pharmacist said they'd been having trouble - i though she meant a hiccup in the supply line..

I have been wondering if the clomipramine was actually doing anything for me these days or whether my OCD was at bay because of them. I have been too scared to take the risk of stopping them.

I think I'll speak to my local pharmacist and see if she can get some for me - if not I guess it's a trip to the GP.

My new GP seems very good but I haven't had to see him for mental health reasons.

[bumps]

Hi Guys

I saw my GP this afternoon and asked about the clomipramine shortage, he didn't know there was one and didn't think I would have a problem repeating my prescription next week. So that's about as clear as mud! He wasn't his usual helpful self today. I also complained I hadn't heard back from my CMHT he remarked I was unrealistic thinking I could improve further if I had more ERP and should settle for how I am. :mad2: which is having 24 hour care and 14 tablets a day. Great!

miffed

Bumps x

[Guest Checkmate]

^*UPDATE*

^{My local pharmacy says that Clomipramine tablets in 50mg form are starting to reappear and should gradually be available from now on.}

^Paul

[Ashley]

Thanks for updating checkmate, this also mirrors advice Catherine was given within her NHS Trust.

Clomipramine 50mg and 25mg are currently on limited stock at all the suppliers we use. Anafranil 75mg SR is still available.

The supplies we have at pharmacy are slowly running out.

We are aware that this has been happening and is listed on our stock shortages link on Pharmacy webpage.

We are advising patients to use alternative community pharmacies as each chain uses a different wholesaler. The companies have claimed that this will be resolved by end of April but we cannot rely on this information.

[Guest Icicle]

Are people finding that this is no longer a problem now? I have an appointment with my GP on Friday so not getting a new prescription until then