May contain hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide. Doxepin hydrochloride is a dibenzoxepin derivative and is the first of a family of tricyclic psychotherapeutic agents. Specifically, it is an isomeric mixture of: 1-Propanamine, 3-dibenz[b,e]oxepin-11(6H)ylidene-N,N-dimethyl-, hydrochloride.

Doxepin is closely related in structure and general pharmacological properties to other tricyclic antidepressant drugs such as amitriptyline and imipramine. It combines antidepressant activity with a sedative effect and in this respect resembles amitriptyline, with which it shares a similar profile of clinical action.

Doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant. Doxepin capsules and oral concentrate (liquid) are used to treat symptoms of depression and/or anxiety associated with alcoholism, manic depression, or other mental illness. Doxepin tablets (Silenor) are used to treat insomnia in people who have trouble staying asleep.

Doxepin is an antidepressant and an antihistamine that blocks both H1 and H2 receptors and may be effective in refractory cases of urticaria in doses of 25-50 mg at bedtime or 10-25 mg 3-4 times a day.

Silenor (doxepin) for Insomnia: “I have been taking Silenor every night for 5 months and love it. It doesn’t knock me out or make me loopy like Ambien. Silenor just makes me a bit drowsy, but more importantly is that when I wake up in the middle of the night I fall right back to sleep – which is a lifesaver for me.

Doxepin should be taken within 30 minutes before bedtime, but not within three hours of a meal.

The usual dosage range is 75 to 150 mg per day. For severe anxiety, your doctor may increase your dosage to 300 mg per day. For very mild anxiety, dosage as low as 25 to 50 mg per day may be used. Maximum dosage: 300 mg per day.

Doxepin (Silenor) is used to treat insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep) in people who have trouble staying asleep. Doxepin (Silenor) is in a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow sleep.

Antihistamines: These medications are generally used for allergies, insomnia, and even anxiety and depression. Cycloheptadiene, diphenhydramine, and doxepin (which is also an antidepressant) are the most likely to cause weight gain.

“doxepin does keep you asleep but the majority of the time will keep you drowsy and groggy the whole next day. Isn’t that why we are taking it so we DON’T feel that way the next day? I would sleep over 8 hours and still feel groggy and drowsy and gross the next day.

Doxepin is used to treat depression and anxiety. Doxepin is in a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It works by increasing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain that are needed for mental balance. Doxepin is also available as a tablet to treat insomnia.

Do not take doxepin within 3 hours of a meal. It may not work as well, or it might make you sleepy the next day if you take it with or right after a meal.

Low dose doxepin is safe drug for short term and long term insomnia. Low dose doxepin is different from other anti-depressants in three effects.

Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine on an empty stomach, and not within 3 hours of a meal. This medicine should be taken within 30 minutes of going to sleep and only when you are able to get a full night of sleep before you must be active again. Do not take it more often than directed.

FDA-approved in March 2010, doxepin (3 mg and 6 mg) is only the second insomnia medication not designated as a controlled substance and thus may be of special value in patients with a history of substance abuse.

The study estimated that people taking at least 10 mg/day of doxepin, 4 mg/day of chlorpheniramine, or 5 mg/day of oxybutynin for more than three years would be at greater risk for developing dementia.

Side Effects

• Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, or trouble urinating may occur.
• To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Doxepin may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.

Conclusions: The cardiovascular effects of doxepin in depressed patients with heart disease are comparable to those documented for imipramine and nortriptyline. Doxepin afforded no greater margin of cardiovascular safety; in fact, the drug was poorly tolerated by this patient population.

doxepin Alternatives

• doxepin (doxepin) Prescription only. 2 dosage forms.
• 5 alternatives.
• Elavil (amitriptyline) Prescription only.
• Anafranil (clomipramine) Prescription only.
• Pamelor (nortriptyline) Prescription only.
• Vivactil (protriptyline) Prescription only.
• desipramine (desipramine) Prescription only.

May cause drowsiness and affect a person’s ability to drive or operate machinery; some people may develop tolerance to this effect. May also cause several other side effects including high blood pressure, flushing, fast heart rate, a lowering of blood pressure on standing, weight gain, skin rash, seizures, and edema.

The acute liver injury associated with doxepin has been self-limited and no cases of acute liver failure or chronic liver disease due to doxepin have been reported. Rechallenge with doxepin is likely to cause a prompt recurrence of the liver injury and should be avoided.

Doxepin is a non-addictive way to help people stay asleep, but it comes with a list of side effects. Improves mood and helps you sleep. Oleptro (Trazodone) works well as a sleep aid, but has more side effects when used at higher doses for treating depression.

Sinequan (Doxepin) Withdrawal Timeline And Symptom Durations It can be dangerous to stop suddenly so doctors will usually recommend a tapered withdrawal, meaning dosages are gradually reduced over time. The risk of side effects can increase if the dosage is stopped abruptly.

Yes. Studies of doxepin show that it’s an effective treatment for long-term, chronic insomnia and short-term difficulty sleeping. Some studies of doxepin have shown that it’s particularly effective as a treatment for insomnia in people who frequently wake up after falling asleep.

Oleptro (Trazodone) works well as a sleep aid, but has more side effects when used at higher doses for treating depression. In a clinical trial Doxepin was able to significantly improve sleep quality. Doxepin helps improve your appetite, energy level, and sense of well-being, which increases your interests.

Talk to your doctor before using doxepin and FLUoxetine. This combination may cause sedation, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and urinary retention.

doxepin oral and melatonin oral both increase sedation and drowsiness. Monitor CloselyUse Caution/Monitor.

If melatonin does seem to help, it’s safe for most people to take nightly for one to two months. “After that, stop and see how your sleep is,” he suggests. “Be sure you’re also relaxing before bed, keeping the lights low and sleeping in a cool, dark, comfortable bedroom for optimal results.”

“It doesn’t keep you asleep, but it will induce sleep. When taking a higher dosage, melatonin will actually reset your internal body clock—a useful tactic to avoid jet lag.” Insomnia is a multi-faceted condition and unfortunately it’s often a self-induced problem.