Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Silenor

Generic Name: doxepin (Silenor) (Pronunciation: DOX e pin)

• 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 is doxepin (Silenor) (Silenor)?

Doxepin (Silenor) is in a group of drugs called hypnotics.

Doxepin (Silenor) is used to treat insomnia in people who have trouble staying asleep.

Doxepin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of doxepin (Silenor) (Silenor)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms of depression to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heart rate;
• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior, seizure (convulsions);
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• feeling light-headed, fainting;
• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
• tremors or uncontrollable shaking;
• urinating less than usual or not at all; or
• extreme thirst with headache, nausea, vomiting, and weakness.

Less serious side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness;
• nausea;
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
• feeling dizzy, drowsy, or tired;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite;
• dry mouth;
• weight changes;
• lack of coordination;
• numbness or tingly feeling;
• strange dreams;
• blurred vision, headache, ringing in your ears;
• increased sweating;
• breast swelling (in men or women); or
• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about 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.

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