Doxepin Description

Generic Name : DOXEPIN

Pronunciation : (dox' e pin)

Trade Name(s) : Doxedep, Doxetar, Doxin, Spectra

Why it is prescribed: Doxepin, an antidepressant or mood elevator, is used to treat depression.

When it is to be taken: Doxepin usually is taken one to three times a day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully. Doxepin must be taken regularly to be effective. Do not skip doses, even if you feel that you do not need them. The drug must be taken regularly at least two week before its full effect is felt.

How it should be taken: Doxepin comes in the form of capsules and oral liquid. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Doxepin concentrate or oral liquid comes with a special marked dropper for measuring the dose. Dilute the concentrate in 120ml of water or milk or pineapple juice just before taking it. Do not mix it with soft drinks. If you take doxepin concentrate and methadone syrup, the two liquids can be mixed together with water but not with grape juice.

Special Instruction :
1. Doxepin can cause drowsiness, especially during the first few weeks that you take it.
2. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
3. Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your dose may need to be adjusted occasionally.
4. Do not stop taking doxepin abruptly, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually.
5. If you miss to take a dose and you are to take several doses a day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if your remember a missed dose when it is alsmost time for your next scheduled dose, omit the missed dose entirely. If you take doxepin once a day at bedtime and do not remember to take it until the next morning, omit the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one

Side Effects :
1. Drowsiness, weakness, tiredness, anxiety, excitement, insomnia, blurred vision, difficulty urinating. Take the drug at bedtime if it causes drowsiness; take it in the morning if if causes insomnia. If you take doxepin more than once a day, ask your doctor if you can take it once a day. These effects should decrease as you continue to take the drug. Contact your doctor if they persist or are severe.
2. Dizziness, lightheadedness, faintness when arising from a sitting or lying position. Get up slowly.
3. Dry mouth. Suck sugarless hard candies.
4. Persistent, fine tremor; shuffling walk; slow speech, difficulty swallowing; drooling; slow, jerky movements; jaw, back, and neck muscle spasms; inability to sit still; sore throat, fever, skin rash, and yellowing of skin or eyes; irregular heartbeat. Contact your doctor.

Other Precautions :
1. Before you take doxepin, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially monoaminooxidase inhibitors like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine; medication for high blood pressure, seizures, asthma, colds, or allergeis; sedatives; tranquilizers; sleeping pills; anticoagulants; thyroid; levodopa; antihistamines; and methylphenidate.
2. Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or if you have glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, difficulty urinating, a history of seizures, an overactive thyroid gland, or a heart condition.
3. If you become pregnant while taking doxepin, notify your doctor promptly.
4. Alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug. Limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages.
5. Doxepin can makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight than usual. Wear protective clothing and a sunscreen preparation.
6. Before having surgery, tell the doctor that you take doxepin.
7. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions : Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature.