What is doxepin?
Doxepin is in a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Doxepin affects chemicals
in the brain that may become unbalanced.
Doxepin is used to treat symptoms of depression and/or anxiety associated with
alcoholism, psychiatric conditions, or manic-depressive conditions.
Doxepin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking doxepin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to doxepin, or if you have glaucoma or
problems with urination.
Do not use doxepin if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid
(Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur
if you take doxepin before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Before taking doxepin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take this medication.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking an antidepressant, especially if you are
younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening depression or suicidal
thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or
symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of
treatment.
This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are
pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether doxepin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give doxepin to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a
doctor.
How should I take doxepin?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may
occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication. Follow
the directions on your prescription label.
Measure doxepin
oral concentrate (liquid)
with the special
dose-measuring dropper provided. Do not use a regular table spoon. If you do not have a
dose-measuring dropper, ask your pharmacist for one.
Empty the measured dose from the medicine dropper into a small glass (4 ounces) of
water, milk, orange juice, grapefruit juice, tomato juice, prune juice, or pineapple juice. Do not
use grape juice or a carbonated soft drink to mix doxepin oral concentrate. Stir the mixture and
drink all of it right away. Do not save it for later use.
It may take a few weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For
best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do
not improve during treatment.
Store doxepin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of doxepin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about doxepin?
Your pharmacist has information about doxepin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of doxepin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or
behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable,
agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or
have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
fast, pounding, or uneven heart rate;
-
confusion, hallucinations, or seizure (convulsions);
-
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
-
feeling light-headed, fainting;
-
restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or
neck;
-
tremors or uncontrollable shaking;
-
urinating less than usual or not at all; or
-
extreme thirst with headache, nausea, vomiting, and
weakness.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite;
-
dry mouth;
-
weight changes;
-
weakness, lack of coordination;
-
numbness or tingly feeling;
-
feeling dizzy, drowsy, or tired;
-
sleep problems (insomnia), nightmares;
-
blurred vision, headache, ringing in your ears;
-
increased sweating;
-
breast swelling (in men or women); or
-
decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an
orgasm.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about doxepin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to doxepin, or if you have glaucoma or
problems with urination.
Do not use doxepin if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid
(Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can
occur if you take doxepin before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant,
especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular
visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood
or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable,
agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or
have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
What should I avoid while taking doxepin?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can cause dangerous side effects when taken together with
doxepin.
Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and
medicine for seizures or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by doxepin. Tell your doctor if you
regularly use any of these medicines, or any other antidepressant.
Doxepin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful
if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What other drugs will affect doxepin?
Before taking doxepin,
tell your doctor if you have used an "SSRI"
antidepressant in the past 5 weeks
, such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram
(Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline
(Zoloft).
Before taking doxepin, tell your doctor if you are currently using any of the following
drugs:
-
cimetidine (Tagamet) or;
-
heart rhythm medications such as flecainide (Tambocor),
propafenone (Rhythmol), or quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute).
There are many other medicines that can interact with
doxepin.
Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications
you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.
Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the
medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
What happens if I have an overdose of doxepin?