What is Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl)?
Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) is in a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced.Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) is used to treat symptoms of depression and/or anxiety associated with alcoholism, psychiatric conditions, or manic-depressive conditions.The Silenor brand of Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) is used to treat insomnia in people who have trouble staying asleep.Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl)?
You should not use Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) if you are allergic to it, or if you have narrow-angle glaucoma or problems with urination. Do not use Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) 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 Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.Report any new or worsening symptoms 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. Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) and talk with your doctor.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl)?
Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) and talk with your doctor. You should not use Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) if you are allergic to it, or if you have narrow-angle glaucoma or problems with urination. Do not use Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) 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 Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) dose adjustment or special tests:sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep);bipolar disorder (manic-depression); ordiabetes (Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) may raise or lower blood sugar).You may have thoughts about suicide while taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) 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 Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) 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 Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.
How should I take Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl)?
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.Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.Measure Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) oral concentrate (liquid) with the special dose-measuring dropper provided. Do not use a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring dropper, ask your pharmacist for one.Empty the measured dose from the medicine dropper into a small glass (4 ounces) of water, milk, orange juice, grapefruit juice, tomato juice, prune juice, or pineapple juice. Do not use grape juice or a carbonated soft drink to mix Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) oral concentrate. Stir the mixture and drink all of it right away. Do not save it for later use.If you take Silenor for insomnia, take it within 30 minutes before bedtime. Silenor should not be taken within 3 hours after eating a meal.It may take 2 to 3 weeks before your depression symptoms improve. 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. Do not stop using Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl).
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.Do not take Silenor if you do not have time for a full night's sleep before being active again.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line. An overdose of Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may include uneven heartbeats, extreme drowsiness, agitation, vomiting, blurred vision, confusion, hallucinations, feeling hot or cold, muscle stiffness, feeling light-headed, fainting, seizure (convulsions), or coma.
What should I avoid while taking Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl)?
Do not drink alcohol. Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) can increase the effects of alcohol, which could be dangerous. Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl) may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid taking Silenor within 3 hours after eating a meal.
Side effects of Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl)
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 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, 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; orextreme thirst with headache, nausea, vomiting, and weakness.
Less serious side effects may include:
feeling dizzy, drowsy, or tired;nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite;cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;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); ordecreased 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.
What other drugs will affect Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl)?
Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl). Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines, or any other antidepressant. Before taking Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl), tell your doctor if you have used an "SSRI" antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft).Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:cimetidine (Tagamet);tolazamide (Tolinase);heart rhythm medications such as flecainide (Tambocor), propafenone (Rhythmol), or quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute); orphenothiazines such as prochlorperazine (Compazine, Compro), promethazine (Pentazine, Phenergan, Anergan, Antinaus), and others.There are many other drugs that can interact with Generic Sinequan/Doxepin (Doxepin Hcl). Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.
