What is Doxepin: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Doxepin overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Silenor

Generic Names:

  • Doxepin Hcl

Uses:

  • Treats depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. This medicine is a TCA.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antianxiety, Antidepressant, Antiulcer, Sleep Aid

Forms:

  • Capsule, Liquid, Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Doxepin used for?

What form(s) does Doxepin come in

  • Capsule

  • Liquid

  • Tablet

What are common Doxepin doses?

  • Capsule 10MG

  • Capsule 25MG

  • Capsule 50MG

  • Capsule 75MG

  • Capsule 100MG

  • Capsule 150MG

  • Bottle 100GM of

  • Bottle 500GM of

  • Bottle 118ML of 10MG/ML

  • Bottle 120ML of 10MG/ML

  • Tablet 3MG

  • Tablet 6MG

  • Tube 45GM of 5%

Common Doxepin prescriptions

  • Doxepin HCl
    118ml of 10mg/ml bottle

  • Doxepin HCl
    120ml of 10mg/ml bottle

  • Doxepin HCl
    100mg capsule

  • Doxepin HCl
    10mg capsule

  • Doxepin HCl
    150mg capsule

  • Doxepin HCl
    25mg capsule

  • Doxepin HCl
    50mg capsule

  • Doxepin HCl
    75mg capsule

  • Doxepin HCl
    3mg tablet

  • Doxepin HCl
    6mg tablet

  • Doxepin HCl
    45gm of 5% tube

  • Doxepin HCl
    45gm of 5% tube of cream

How to take Doxepin

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Sinequan® oral liquid: Measure the dose with the dropper that comes with the medicine.Mix the medicine with 120 mL (4 ounces) of water, milk, or fruit juice (orange, grapefruit, tomato, prune, or pineapple) before you drink it. Do not use grape juice or carbonated beverages (soda pop). Mix the medicine just before you take your dose. Do not prepare it ahead of time.

  • Silenor® tablet: Do not take the tablet within 3 hours of a meal. It may not work as well, or it might make you sleepy the next day.Take the tablet 30 minutes before you go to bed.Do not take the medicine unless you can get a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours).

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Silenor® tablet: Do not take the tablet within 3 hours of a meal. It may not work as well, or it might make you sleepy the next day.Take the tablet 30 minutes before you go to bed.Do not take the medicine unless you can get a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours).

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Sinequan® oral liquid: Measure the dose with the dropper that comes with the medicine.Mix the medicine with 120 mL (4 ounces) of water, milk, or fruit juice (orange, grapefruit, tomato, prune, or pineapple) before you drink it. Do not use grape juice or carbonated beverages (soda pop). Mix the medicine just before you take your dose. Do not prepare it ahead of time.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

What to do if you miss a dose of Doxepin

Doxepin contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to doxepin or similar medicines.

Doxepin warnings

  • Silenor® tablets may cause you to do things while you are still asleep that you may not remember the next morning, such as driving a car, having sex, or eating food. Tell your doctor right away if you learn that this has happened.

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, problems urinating, glaucoma, sleep apnea, or a history of mental illness.

  • For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine may increase mental or emotional problems. This may lead to thoughts of suicide and violence. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of bipolar disorder or suicide attempts.

  • This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Silenor® tablets: Call your doctor if you still have trouble sleeping after you take this medicine for 7 to 10 days.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Doxepin interactions

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days.

  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

  • This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • This medicine can intensify the effects of other medicine that makes you sleepy, such as allergy medicine and narcotic pain medicine.

  • Some foods and medicines can affect how doxepin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Cimetidine, tolazamideOther medicines for depression (such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline), a phenothiazine medicine (such as chlorpromazine, perphenazine, promethazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine), or medicines for heart rhythm problems (such as flecainide, propafenone, quinidine)

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Silenor® tablets: Call your doctor if you still have trouble sleeping after you take this medicine for 7 to 10 days.

Doxepin side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

  • Severe confusion, or seeing or hearing things that are not there

  • Seizures or tremors

  • Feeling nervous, restless, anxious, agitated, or excited for no reason

  • Unusual bleeding or bruising

  • 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

  • Eye pain, vision changes, seeing halos around lights

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Constipation

  • Dizziness or drowsiness

  • Dry mouth

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