Sleep · FAQ
Can Insomnia program doxepin interact with my other medicines or alcohol?
Short answer
Yes. Doxepin prescribed through the Insomnia program can interact with other medicines and alcohol. Avoid alcohol, and have your physician review all prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements. Other sleep aids, opioids, and sedating allergy medicines can increase drowsiness. Do not start or stop another medicine without checking first.
Give your physician and pharmacist a complete list of what you take before starting doxepin. Include prescription drugs, allergy and cold products, pain medicines, vitamins, herbs, and sleep supplements. Mention cannabis and alcohol use too. Even products sold without a prescription can affect alertness or interact with your treatment.
Alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, other sleep medicines, and sedating antihistamines can add to doxepin’s effects on alertness. Avoid alcohol and do not combine sleep aids unless your physician has reviewed the combination. Some medicines can also raise doxepin levels. Cimetidine, an acid-reducing medicine, is one example that needs review. This is not a complete list of interactions.
Doxepin must not be used with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, or within 14 days after stopping an MAOI. Tell your physician about any recent medication changes. Your prescribing physician and label determine your dose and timing. Do not adjust either on your own to try to avoid an interaction.
Sources
Written by the Verra clinical team · Medical review pending
General information, not medical advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.
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