Key takeaways
Doxepin (Silenor) and flurazepam are both prescription medications used to treat insomnia, but they belong to different medication classes. Doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that helps you stay asleep by blocking histamine receptors in the brain, while flurazepam is a benzodiazepine that calms the nervous system to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Doxepin is available in both brand-name and generic forms and is usually taken as a 6 mg tablet 30 minutes before bedtime. Flurazepam, available only as a generic, is taken at a typical starting dose of 15 mg or 30 mg at bedtime. Unlike doxepin, flurazepam is a controlled substance due to its potential for addiction and misuse. Common side effects of doxepin include sleepiness and tiredness, while flurazepam can cause headaches, upset stomach, and more serious effects like extreme sleepiness and slowed breathing. Both medications should not be mixed with alcohol, but flurazepam has a higher risk of dangerous interactions, especially when combined with opioids.
