Doxepin (Oral)

July 28th, 2021 | drugs

Generic name: doxepin (DOX-e-pin)
Drug class: Miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, Tricyclic antidepressants

Oral route(Capsule;Solution)

Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies with major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Short term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24, and there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared with placebo in adults aged 65 or older. This risk must be balanced with the clinical need. Monitor patients closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Not approved for use in pediatric patients.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

Silenor
SINEquan

Available Dosage Forms:

Tablet
Capsule
Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antidepressant

Pharmacologic Class: Antidepressant, Tricyclic

Uses for doxepin

Doxepin is used to treat anxiety or depression. It is also used to treat insomnia (trouble with sleeping).

Doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). It works on the central nervous system (CNS) to increase levels of certain chemicals in the brain.

Doxepin is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using doxepin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For doxepin, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to doxepin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of doxepin capsules and solution for the treatment of depression and anxiety in children younger than 12 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of doxepin tablets for the treatment of insomnia in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of doxepin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have unwanted effects (eg, confusion or unusual drowsiness) or age-related heart, liver, or kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving doxepin.

Breastfeeding

Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects. An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should stop breastfeeding while using doxepin.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking doxepin, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using doxepin with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Bepridil
Bromopride
Cisapride
Dronedarone
Eliglustat
Grepafloxacin
Isocarboxazid
Levomethadyl
Linezolid
Mesoridazine
Methylene Blue
Metoclopramide
Moclobemide
Pimozide
Piperaquine
Ranolazine
Safinamide
Saquinavir
Sparfloxacin
Terfenadine
Thioridazine
Tranylcypromine
Ziprasidone

Using doxepin with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Acecainide
Aceclofenac
Acemetacin
Albuterol
Alfentanil
Almotriptan
Amiodarone
Amisulpride
Amitriptyline
Amoxapine
Amphetamine
Amtolmetin Guacil
Anagrelide
Apomorphine
Aripiprazole
Aripiprazole Lauroxil
Arsenic Trioxide
Aspirin
Astemizole
Azimilide
Benzhydrocodone
Benzphetamine
Bretylium
Bromfenac
Bufexamac
Buprenorphine
Bupropion
Buserelin
Butorphanol
Celecoxib
Ceritinib
Chloroquine
Choline Salicylate
Clarithromycin
Clofazimine
Clonidine
Clonixin
Clorgyline
Clozapine
Codeine
Crizotinib
Cyclobenzaprine
Dabrafenib
Darunavir
Dasatinib
Degarelix
Delamanid
Deslorelin
Desmopressin
Deutetrabenazine
Dexibuprofen
Dexketoprofen
Dextroamphetamine
Dextromethorphan
Diclofenac
Diflunisal
Dihydrocodeine
Dipyrone
Disopyramide
Dofetilide
Dolasetron
Domperidone
Donepezil
Droperidol
Droxicam
Efavirenz
Encorafenib
Enflurane
Entrectinib
Epinephrine
Erythromycin
Escitalopram
Eslicarbazepine Acetate
Etodolac
Etofenamate
Etoricoxib
Felbinac
Fenfluramine
Fenoprofen
Fentanyl
Fepradinol
Feprazone
Fingolimod
Floctafenine
Fluconazole
Flufenamic Acid
Fluoxetine
Flurbiprofen
Foscarnet
Fostemsavir
Frovatriptan
Gatifloxacin
Gemifloxacin
Glasdegib
Glycopyrrolate
Glycopyrronium Tosylate
Gonadorelin
Goserelin
Granisetron
Halofantrine
Haloperidol
Halothane
Histrelin
Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone
Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxytryptophan
Hydroxyzine
Ibuprofen
Ibutilide
Indomethacin
Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
Iobenguane I 123
Iobenguane I 131
Iproniazid
Isoflurane
Isradipine
Ivabradine
Ivosidenib
Ketoconazole
Ketoprofen
Ketorolac
Lasmiditan
Lefamulin
Lenvatinib
Levalbuterol
Levofloxacin
Levomilnacipran
Levorphanol
Lisdexamfetamine
Lithium
Lofexidine
Lorcaserin
Lornoxicam
Loxapine
Loxoprofen
Lumiracoxib
Macimorelin
Meclofenamate
Mefenamic Acid
Meloxicam
Meperidine
Metaxalone
Methacholine
Methadone
Methamphetamine
Metronidazole
Mirtazapine
Moricizine
Morniflumate
Morphine
Morphine Sulfate Liposome
Moxifloxacin
Nabumetone
Nafarelin
Nalbuphine
Naproxen
Naratriptan
Nebivolol
Nefopam
Nepafenac
Niflumic Acid
Nilotinib
Nimesulide
Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
Norepinephrine
Octreotide
Ondansetron
Osilodrostat
Osimertinib
Oxaliplatin
Oxaprozin
Oxycodone
Oxymetazoline
Oxymorphone
Oxyphenbutazone
Ozanimod
Palonosetron
Panobinostat
Parecoxib
Pargyline
Paroxetine
Pasireotide
Pazopanib
Peginterferon Alfa-2b
Pentamidine
Pentazocine
Phenelzine
Phenylbutazone
Piketoprofen
Pimavanserin
Piroxicam
Pitolisant
Posaconazole
Pranoprofen
Procainamide
Procarbazine
Prochlorperazine
Proglumetacin
Propyphenazone
Proquazone
Quetiapine
Quinidine
Rasagiline
Remifentanil
Revefenacin
Ribociclib
Risperidone
Rofecoxib
Salicylic Acid
Salsalate
Scopolamine
Secretin Human
Selegiline
Selpercatinib
Sematilide
Sertindole
Sertraline
Sevoflurane
Siponimod
Sodium Salicylate
Solifenacin
Sotalol
Spiramycin
Sufentanil
Sulfamethoxazole
Sulindac
Sulpiride
Sultopride
Sumatriptan
Sunitinib
Tacrolimus
Tamoxifen
Tapentadol
Tedisamil
Telithromycin
Tenoxicam
Tiaprofenic Acid
Tiotropium
Tolfenamic Acid
Tolmetin
Tramadol
Triclabendazole
Trifluoperazine
Trimethoprim
Triptorelin
Valdecoxib
Vandetanib
Vasopressin
Vemurafenib
Venlafaxine
Vilanterol
Vilazodone
Vinflunine
Vortioxetine
Zolmitriptan
Zotepine
Zuclopenthixol

Using doxepin with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Acenocoumarol
Arbutamine
Bethanidine
Cannabis
Carbamazepine
Cimetidine
Desogestrel
Dicumarol
Dienogest
Drospirenone
Ethinyl Estradiol
Ethynodiol
Fosphenytoin
Gestodene
Guanethidine
Levonorgestrel
Mestranol
Nomegestrol
Norethindrone
Norgestimate
Norgestrel
Phenprocoumon
Phenytoin
Propoxyphene
Ramelteon
S-Adenosylmethionine
Warfarin

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Proper use of doxepin

Take doxepin only as directed by your doctor to benefit your condition as much as possible. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Doxepin comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

If you are using the Sinequan® oral liquid or capsule once a day, you may take it at bedtime.

To use the Sinequan® oral liquid:

Measure the dose with the calibrated dropper that comes with the medicine.
Mix each dose with about one-half glass (4 ounces) of water, whole or skimmed milk, orange juice, grapefruit juice, tomato juice, prune juice, or pineapple juice. Do not mix doxepin with grape juice or carbonated beverages (soda pop). Mix the medicine just before taking the dose. Do not prepare it ahead of time.

To use the Silenor® tablet:

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.
Take the tablet 30 minutes before going to bed, when you are ready to go to sleep.
Do not take the medicine unless you can get a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours). If you wake up too soon, you may feel drowsy from the medicine.

Dosing

The dose of doxepin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of doxepin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage forms (capsules or solution):
- For depression or anxiety:
  - Adults and children 12 years of age and older—At first, 75 milligrams (mg) once a day or in divided doses during the day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 150 mg per day.
  - Children younger than 12 years of age—Use is not recommended.
For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For insomnia:
  - Adults—6 milligrams (mg) once a day.
  - Older adults—At first, 3 mg once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of doxepin, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Detailed Doxepin dosage information

Precautions while using doxepin

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits to allow for changes in the dose and to check for any unwanted effects.

For some children, teenagers, and young adults, doxepin can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor or your child's doctor right away if you or your child start to feel more depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you or your child, especially if they are new or are getting worse quickly. Make sure the doctor knows if you or your child have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell the doctor if you or your child have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. Let the doctor know if you or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) or has tried to commit suicide.

Do not take doxepin if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, isocarboxazid [Marplan®], phenelzine [Nardil®], selegiline [Eldepryl®], or tranylcypromine [Parnate®]) in the past 2 weeks. If you do, you may have confusion, agitation, restlessness, stomach or intestinal symptoms, a sudden high body temperature, an extremely high blood pressure, or severe convulsions.

If you or your child are using doxepin for depression or anxiety, do not stop taking it without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This may help prevent a possible worsening of your condition and reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, such as headache, nausea, or a general feeling of discomfort or illness.

Silenor® tablets may cause sleep-related behaviors such as driving a car (sleep-driving), walking (sleep-walking), having sex, making phone calls, or preparing and eating food while asleep or not fully awake. If any of these reactions occur, tell your doctor right away.

If you think you need to take Silenor® tablets for more than 10 days, talk to your doctor.

Doxepin may cause some people to become drowsy. Make sure you know how you react to doxepin before you drive, use medicines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are drowsy or not alert.

Doxepin will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, allergies, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. This effect may last for a few days after you stop taking doxepin. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you or your child are using doxepin.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines) and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Doxepin side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain
agitation
black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blood in the urine or stools
blurred vision
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
canker sores
chest pain
chills
clay-colored stools
cold sweats
confusion about identity, place, and time
convulsions
cool, pale skin
cough or hoarseness
dark urine
decrease in the frequency of urination
decrease in urine volume
decreased urine output
depression
difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
difficulty with breathing
difficulty with speaking
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
drooling
dry mouth
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
feeling of warmth
fever
flushed, dry skin
fruit-like breath odor
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
headache
hearing loss
hostility
increased hunger
increased thirst
increased urination
irritability
itching or rash
lethargy
lip smacking or puckering
loss of appetite
loss of balance control
loss of bladder control
lower back or side pain
mood or mental changes
muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
muscle twitching
nausea
nervousness
nightmares
noisy breathing
painful or difficult urination
pinpoint red spots on the skin
pounding in the ears
puffing of the cheeks
rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue
rapid weight gain
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
restlessness
ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears that continues
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
seizures
shakiness and unsteady walk
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
shuffling walk
sore throat
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or in the mouth
slurred speech
stiffness of the limbs
stupor
sudden loss of consciousness
sweating
swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
swollen glands
tightness in the chest
troubled breathing
twisting movements of the body
uncontrolled chewing movements
uncontrolled movements, especially of the arms, face, legs, neck, and back
unexplained weight loss
unpleasant breath odor
unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting of blood
yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Clumsiness
disturbed concentration
drowsiness
enlarged pupils
increased or excessive unconscious or jerking movements
low body temperature
muscle aches
muscle weakness
shivering
sleepiness
weak or feeble pulse
weight gain

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them: