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Doxepin

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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.

Uses of Doxepin

What is it prescribed for?

  • Depression

    This medicine is used to relieve symptoms of depression such as sadness, loss of interest, irritability, and sleeplessness.

  • Anxiety

    This medicine is used to relieve symptoms of anxiety such as nervousness, panic, fear, not able to stay calm and still, etc.

  • Insomnia

    This medicine is used to treat difficulty in falling and staying sleeping.

  • Pruritus

    Doxepin cream is used to relieve moderate skin itching associated with conditions such as eczema.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Doxepin

  • Dizzinesssevere
  • Drowsinesssevere
  • Headache
  • Confusionsevere
  • Tremorssevere
  • Increased heartbeatsevere
  • Skin rash
  • Indigestion
  • Altered sense of taste
  • Loss of appetite
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouthsevere
  • Blurred visionsevere
  • Hypotensionsevere
  • Nausea
  • Burning or stinging sensation at application site
SEVERE
Contact your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms are experienced on a regular basis.
RARE
Observed in a small fraction of population.
This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. Please inform your doctor if you experience any adverse reaction to the medication.

Highlights

Commonly asked questions for Doxepin

Onset of action

The antidepressant effect of this medicine can be observed within 2 to 3 weeks.

Duration of effect

The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.

Safe with alcohol?

moderate
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.

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When not to use?

Contraindications of Doxepin

  • 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.

Dosage

  • 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.

Interactions

All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcoholmoderate

  • 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

Disease interactions

  • Pheochromocytoma

    severe
    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

    severe
    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

    severe
    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

    moderate
    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.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.

General Instructions

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.

Warnings

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.

Other details

  • Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor
  • To be taken as instructed by doctor
  • Causes sleepiness

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

Approved
Approved
Approved
Unknown

Classification

Category
Tricyclic antidepressants, Anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics, Topical antihistamines
Schedule
Schedule H

References

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Information on this page was last updated on 15 Aug 2017

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Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.