This medication description is not meant for treatment prescription without the intervention of a specialist.

Common Uses

Doxepin is a psychotropic agent with tricyclic antidepressant and anxiolytic properties. It is used in treatment of: depression, anxiety disorder, insomnia, chronic pain, particular tension headaches, whether associated with depression or not. Doxepin is also very good for people that suffer from extreme itching, due to allergies or other etiologies.

How to Take

Use Doxepin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. Initial doses may be as low as 5 mg in the evening for treatment of insomnia or as high as 100 mg oral as bedtime single dose or in divided doses in severely agitated depressive patients.

Warning and Precautions

Children, teenagers, and young adults who take Doxepin may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take Doxepin closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Overdose

Symptoms have included core nausea, dizziness, tachycardia, tremor, drowsiness, convulsions, fast heartbeat; sleepiness; sweating; vomiting. Rare: Bluish colored skin or lips; confusion; convulsions (seizures); deep or fast breathing with dizziness; fainting; general feeling of discomfort or illness; loss of memory; muscle pain; slow or irregular heartbeat; weakness. Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Storage

Store Doxepin at room temperature, in a tightly sealed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Doxepin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Possible Side Effects

CNS: dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, confusion, nightmares, agitation, increased anxiety, insomnia, rarely induction of hypomania and schizophrenia (stop medication immediately), Anticholinergic: dry mouth, obstipation, difficulties in urinating, sweating.

Allergic/toxic: skin rash, photosensitivity, liver damage of the cholostatic type (rarely), hepatitis (extremely rare), leuko- or thrombopenia (rarely), hypoplastic anemia (rarely).

Others: frequently increased appetite, massive weight gain, rarely nausea, frequently impaired sexual function in men (impotence, ejaculation-difficulties), rarely hypertension, rarely polyneuropathy, in both sexes breast-enlargement and galactorrhea (rarely).

More Information

The information given above is a summary. Your pharmacist can provide more information about Doxepin. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.