Doxepin is an effective treatment for anxiety or depression connected with alcoholism, psychiatrical or manic-depressive conditions. It is also used to treat gastrointestinal ulceration and other gastrointestinal problems regardless of their being part of depression or not. It works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain that help improve mood.
Do NOT use Doxepin if:
you have an allergic reaction to any Doxepin ingredient or any tricyclic antidepressant
you have prostate problems or difficulty urinating
you have glaucoma
taking dofetilide, clonidine, ibutilide, cisapride, or H1 antagonists
you are using or have used a monoamine oxidase inhibitor for the past 14 days
Be sure your doctor is aware in case any of the abovementioned applies to you.
Before using Doxepin :
To make treatment most effective and to avoid adverse and life-threatening side effects, make sure your doctor knows if
you are allergic to any medications, foods, or other substances
you are taking any medications, herbal products, or dietary supplements
you have heart problems, blood problems, prostate problems, overactive thyroid, alcohol abuse, seizures, other mental/mood problems or suicidal thinking/attempts
you are pregnant or planning pregnancy
you are breast-feeding
Some medications may interplay with Doxepin and cause adverse complications. The following list is not complete, so consult with your doctor without fail before you start any medicine. The following medications may increase side effects of Doxepin:
Doxepin may reduce the strength of clonidine, guanfacine, guanethidine, or guanadrel. Be aware that monoamine oxidase inhibitors in combination with Doxepin may cause severe toxic effects.
How to use Doxepin :
Follow the doctor’s directions and dosing instructions STRICTLY to make the treatment effective and to avoid overdosing.
Doxepin is taken without or with food.
To avoid daytime drowsiness, talk to your doctor about the possibility of using Doxepin at bedtime.
If a dose is missed and it is almost the time for your next dose, leave out the missed dose. Do not double doses at once. In case you take 1 dose daily before going to bed, leave it out and do not make up for the missed dose in the morning.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Doxepin.
Important safety information:
Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments to make treatment effective and to avoid negative complications.
Doxepin may cause sleepiness, giddiness or vague vision. Avoid driving or operating machinery, or doing anything else that requires your being alert before you know how you respond to Doxepin.
Doxepin alone or in combination with other medications, or with alcohol may deteriorate your reactions, thus be careful while driving or doing anything that requires your being alert.
Doxepin is affected by alcohol, hot weather, fever, and exercise. Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol, overheating, doing abrupt movements while taking Doxepin as it may increase the risk of giddiness, lightheadedness, or weakness.
Doxepin may cause higher sensitivity to the sun. Do not expose yourself to the sun or sunlamps until you know how you respond to Doxepin.
Make sure your dentist or doctor knows that you are taking Doxepin, before you apply for any medical or dental treatment, emergency help, or surgery.
Doxepin’s full effect may be felt after several weeks of its use.
Doxepin is not used in CHILDREN younger than 12 years of age as there is no confirmation of safety and effectiveness in this age group.
Doxepin like other antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal activity in children and teenagers especially with bipolar illness known as manic-depressive illness, with a family history of this illness or a suicidal history. Therefore these patients must be under close observation and if any changes in their moods or behavior occur or worsen, emergency medical help is required.
Doxepin is taken with special caution in ELDERLY patients as they may be especially sensitive to its action.
In case of PREGNANCY, consult with your doctor about the risks of taking Doxepin.
Doxepin is not used while BREASTFEEDING as it is egested in breast milk and may be harmful to a nursing baby.
Possible side effects of Doxepin :
Doxepin like any medication may cause negative side effects; nevertheless lots of patients have no, or slight effects. If any of the following COMMON side effects persevere or bother you, contact your doctor immediately:
Call for emergency medical attention if you are experiencing any of these SEVERE side effects:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal movements; aggressive or bizarre behavior; agitation; anxiety; blurred vision or other vision changes; chest pain; constipation; difficulty speaking and swallowing; disorientation; eye pain;
fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hair loss; hallucinations;
hostility; irritability; loss of balance; mood swings; nervousness or
restlessness; panic attacks; ringing in the ears; seizures; shakiness; sore
throat or fever; trouble sleeping; twitching of the face or tongue; unusual
bleeding or bruising; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
What is the shelf life of the pills?
The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
