Doxepin

Doxepin is a prescription medication used to treat insomnia. It belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants.

Doxepin treats insomnia by blocking histamine receptors in the brain. This helps reduce wakefulness and promotes longer, more restful sleep.

Doxepin is suitable for adults with insomnia. It's safe for most people to take, but there are some exceptions.

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to the active ingredient, Doxepin hydrochloride, to any of the other ingredients in this medicine, or to other dibenzoxepines.

You should also avoid Doxepin if you are breastfeeding, have untreated narrow angle glaucoma, or severe urinary retention.

Consult your doctor before taking Doxepin if you have any of the following medical conditons:

• Mental illness
• Heart disease
• Liver or kidney problems
• Diabetes

Tell your doctor if you take any other medicines, natural health products, or supplements.

Doxepin may affect how some medicines work and vice versa. Especially tell your doctor if you take or have recently taken:

• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Medicines for depression (e.g. fluoxetine)
• Medicines for reflux and stomach ulcers (e.g. cimetidine)
• Medicines for diabetes (e.g. tolazamide)
• Sedating antihistamines
• Anti-anxiety medicines (e.g. diazepam)
• Medicines containing atropine
• Medicines for schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder (e.g. risperidone)
• Medicines for an abnormal heartbeat
• Certain epilepsy medicines
• Medicines containing adrenaline or noradrenaline
• Stimulant medicines containing amphetamine (e.g. dexamphetamine)
• Guanethidine
• Opioids e.g. (buprenorphine)

Avoid alcohol when taking Doxepin as this may increase its sedative effects.

For a complete list of precautions and medicine interactions, consult the patient information leaflet.

It’s best not to take this medicine with food. A high-fat meal can delay how fast the medicine works and increase the risk of next-day drowsiness.

Common side effects:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Bad dreams
• Dry mouth
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty urinating
• Feeling sick, or vomiting
• Indigestion
• Constipation, or diarrhea
• Changes in taste and appetite
• Mouth ulcers
• Numbness

Serious side effects:

You should stop taking Doxepin and seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following side effects:

• Abnormal thinking and behavioral changes
• Symptoms of allergy such as a skin rash, increased sweating, swelling of the face, tongue, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing
• Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm
• Anxiety, nervousness, or aggressive behaviour
• Fast or irregular heart beat
• Chest pain
• Changes in vision (e.g. vision worsening, blurred vision or seeing haloes around lights)

Doxepin reaches peak levels in the body around 3.5 hours after taking a dose. Most people notice improved sleep on the first night however, for some people, it may take a few days to see full effects.

Yes, you can buy Doxepin tablets online at SpeedyHealth after completing our free online consultation.

You must complete an online consultation as Doxepin is a prescription-only medication. This process is quick and easy and allows our doctors to ensure this medicine is safe for you to take.

If you have never taken this medication before, the recommended starting dose is 3mg.