Doxepin (Doxepin Hydrochloride)


DNX0174.HTM

Doxepin (By mouth)
Doxepin (DOX-e-pin)

Treats depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. This medicine is a tricyclic antidepressant.

Brand Name(s):
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:
You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to doxepin or other tricyclic antidepressants (such as Elavil® or Tofranil®), maprotiline (Ludiomil®), or trazodone (Desyrel®). Do not use this medicine if you have glaucoma or if you are unable to pass urine.

How to Use This Medicine:
Capsule, Liquid, Tablet

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • You may take this medicine with or without food.
  • Measure the oral liquid with a marked dropper that comes with the medicine.
  • The oral liquid must be mixed with one-half glass of water, milk, or fruit juice before you drink it. Do not use grape juice or carbonated beverages (soda pop). Mix the medicine just before taking the dose. Do not prepare ahead of time.
  • If you are using this medicine once a day, you may take it at bedtime.
  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.

If a dose is missed:

  • If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
  • If you use only one dose at bedtime, skip the missed dose. Wait until the next night. You should not use two doses at the same time.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
  • Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are using disulfiram (Antabuse®), cimetidine (Tagamet®), tolazamide (Tolinase®), or certain medicine for heart rhythm problems (such as flecainide, propafenone, quinidine, Cardioquin®, Quinaglute®, Rythmol®, or Tambocor®).
  • You must wait at least 5 weeks between using this medicine and other medicine to treat depression (such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, Celexa®, Lexapro™, Paxil®, Prozac®, or Zoloft®). Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate® within the past 14 days.
  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
  • Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart disease, epilepsy, or stomach problems.
  • For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine 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 yourselves. 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, your child, or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) or has tried to commit suicide.
  • If you are using this medicine for depression, it may take 2 to 3 weeks before you start to feel better.
  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
  • This medicine may make you drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Changes in behavior, or thoughts of hurting yourself or others.
  • Fast or uneven heartbeat.
  • Feeling nervous, restless, anxious, agitated, or excited for no reason.
  • Jerky muscle movement you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw).
  • Lightheadedness or fainting.
  • Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
  • Problems with balance or walking.
  • Problems with urination.
  • Ringing, buzzing, or other unexplained noise in ears.
  • Seizures or tremors.
  • Severe confusion, or seeing or hearing things that are not there.
  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
  • Trouble sleeping.
  • Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control.
  • Unexplained fever, chills, or sweating.
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising.
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness.
  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Blurred vision.
  • Change in taste.
  • Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or upset stomach.
  • Drowsiness or dizziness.
  • Dry mouth or mouth sores.
  • Hair loss.
  • Headache.
  • Problems having sex.
  • Sensitivity to sunlight.
  • Skin rash or itching.
  • Swelling in scrotum or testicles.
  • Swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males.
  • Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.