Doxepin
Description
Doxepin is a sleep medicine used to treat insomnia (trouble falling and staying asleep). It is also used to treat depression and anxiety. It is used as a cream to relieve skin itching caused by skin conditions such as eczema.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Doxepin
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Confusion
- Tremors
- Increased heartbeat
- Skin rash
- Indigestion
- Altered sense of taste
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Hypotension
- Nausea
- Burning or stinging sensation at application site
Uses of Doxepin
What is it prescribed for?
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Pruritus
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe antidepressant effect of this medicine can be observed within 2 to 3 weeks.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while taking this medicine since the combination increases the risk of severe side effects. These side effects may include dizziness, blurred vision, sweating, and muscle stiffness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on the clinical condition. If the medicine is used, the infant should be monitored closely for any adverse effects. If Doxepin cream is used, care should be taken that the infant does not come in contact with the cream and does not swallow it.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to doxepin or any other components present along with it.
Glaucoma
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of narrow-angle glaucoma due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Urinary retention
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a history of urinary retention due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on the clinical condition. If the medicine is used, the infant should be monitored closely for any adverse effects.
If Doxepin cream is used, care should be taken that the infant does not come in contact with the cream and does not swallow it.
General warnings
Sedation
Use of this medicine may cause moderate to severe sedation and impairment of physical abilities. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery during treatment with this medicine.
Suicidal tendencies
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of suicidal tendencies. This risk is especially higher in young patients. Patients should be closely monitored for any change in mood or behavior. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Liver disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of liver diseases or active liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe side effects. Appropriate dose adjustments should be done based on the clinical condition.
Psychosis
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a history of psychotic disorders due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Patients should be closely monitored for any change in mood or behavior. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Pediatrics
The safety and efficacy of this medicine have not been clinically established in children.
Drowsiness
This medicine may cause drowsiness. It is recommended that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery while taking this medicine.
Missed Dose
Tablet and capsule: If a dose of Doxepin is missed, take the dose as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Cream: Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and apply the next dose. Do not apply extra cream to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while taking this medicine since the combination increases the risk of severe side effects. These side effects may include dizziness, blurred vision, sweating, and muscle stiffness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine
Gatifloxacin
Linezolid
Ondansetron
Cimetidine
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Disease interactions
Pheochromocytoma
This medicine should be administered with extreme caution in patients suffering from pheochromocytoma due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of vital signs is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Seizure disorders
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of seizure disorder due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments should be done based on the clinical condition.
Cardiovascular disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of cardiovascular diseases due to the increased risk of severe side effects. These side effects may include an increased heart rate, arrhythmias, fluctuations in blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. Close monitoring of heart function and vital signs is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Diabetes
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with diabetes due to the increased risk of fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels is recommended for such patients.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Tablet and capsule: Take Doxepin exactly as instructed by the doctor. Do not take larger amounts than prescribed. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of any severe side effects. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Cream: Apply Doxepin as instructed by the doctor. Do not apply in larger amounts than prescribed. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of any severe side effects. Do not use this cream for more than 8 days.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Doxepin works by decreasing the actions of histamine in the brain. This helps in inducing sleep. It also works by increasing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain which help in maintaining mental balance and reducing anxiety and depression. Doxepin cream works by decreasing the actions of histamine locally and this reduces the skin itching.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Tricyclic antidepressants, Anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics, Topical antihistamines
Schedule
Schedule H
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Doxepin - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 9 August 2017]. Available from:
Doxepin (Depression, Anxiety): MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 9 August 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 9 August 2017]. Available from:
Doxepin (Insomnia): MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 13 August 2017]. Available from:
Doxepin Topical: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 13 August 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 13 August 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 15 Aug 2017
Disclaimer
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