• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

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.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Doxepin has not been formally assigned to a pregnancy category. Animal studies failed to reveal evidence of teratogenicity. One human infant whose mother took doxepin and a variety of other psychotropic agents was born with a small left colon. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Doxepin should only be given during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

Doxepin is excreted into human milk in small amounts. Respiratory depression has been reported in one breast-fed infant. The American Academy of Pediatrics classifies doxepin as a drug "whose effect on nursing infants is unknown but may be of concern".

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Although the manufacturers do not state that doxepin is contraindicated in patients receiving MAO inhibitors, concurrent or recent (i.e., within 2 weeks) therapy with MAO inhibitors generally is contraindicated in patients receiving TCAs. (See MAO Inhibitors under Interactions.)
• Glaucoma or urinary retention.

• Known hypersensitivity to doxepin or other dibenzoxepin-derivative TCAs.

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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.

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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:

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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