Drug Notebook

FDA Alerts

    Suicidality
  • Antidepressants may increase risk of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults (18–24 years of age) with major depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders; balance this risk with clinical need. Doxepin is not approved for use in pediatric patients <12 years of age. (See Pediatric Use under Cautions.)
  • In pooled data analyses, risk of suicidality was not increased in adults >24 years of age and apparently was reduced in adults ≥65 years of age with antidepressant therapy compared with placebo.
  • Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with an increased risk of suicide.
  • Appropriately monitor and closely observe all patients who are started on doxepin therapy for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior; involve family members and/or caregivers in this process. (See Worsening of Depression and Suicidality Risk and Pediatric Use under Cautions.)

Media Gallery
Drug Info Tools
Pill Finder
Search by color, shape and markings. click here
Drug Interaction Checker
Check any 2 drugs for interactions. click here
Drug Compare
Compare any two drugs side by side. click here
Healthline Part D Plan Selector Medicare Part D
Medicare's drug plans are subsidized by the US federal government and offered through insurers.
Advertisement
Marketplace
Licensed from
doxepin
Page: < Back 1 2 3 Next >
(DOX e pin)

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?

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.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of doxepin can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include uneven heartbeats, extreme drowsiness, agitation, vomiting, blurred vision, confusion, hallucinations, feeling hot or cold, muscle stiffness, feeling light-headed, fainting, seizure (convulsions), or coma.

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 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:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

Page: < Back 1 2 3 Next >
Advertisement
Back to Top