In this Article

• What is doxepin (Silenor) (Silenor)?
• What are the possible side effects of doxepin (Silenor) (Silenor)?
• What is the most important information I should know about doxepin (Silenor) (Silenor)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking doxepin (Silenor) (Silenor)?
• How should I take doxepin (Silenor) (Silenor)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Silenor)?
• What happens if I overdose (Silenor)?
• What should I avoid while taking doxepin (Silenor) (Silenor)?
• What other drugs will affect doxepin (Silenor) (Silenor)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking doxepin (Silenor) (Silenor)?

You should not use doxepin if you are allergic to it, or if you have untreated narrow-angle glaucoma or severe problems with urination.

Do not use doxepin if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take doxepin before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a doxepin dose adjustment or special tests:

• sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep);
• depression;
• bipolar disorder (manic-depression); or
• liver disease.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether doxepin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

It is not known whether doxepin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give doxepin to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.

How should I take doxepin (Silenor) (Silenor)?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medication within 30 minutes before bedtime. Doxepin should not be taken within 3 hours after eating a meal.

It may take 7 to 10 days before your insomnia symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 10 days of treatment.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.