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Doxepin Coupon - Doxepin 10mg capsule

doxepin

Generic Sinequan
Used for Alcohol Dependence, Anxiety, Depression, Eczema, Itching

Doxepin (Sinequan) is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). It comes as a capsule that's taken by mouth to treat depression or anxiety in people over the age of 12. But it's not a first-choice option for these conditions because of the risk of side effects, such as drowsiness, dry mouth, and weight gain. The typical dose of doxepin (Sinequan) ranges from 75 mg to 150 mg by mouth once daily. It's available as a generic capsule and oral solution; the brand name (Sinequan) is discontinued.

Note: Doxepin (Silenor) tablets are FDA-approved for insomnia.

Reviewed by:
reviewerAllison Gourley, PharmD
reviewerKristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on October 9, 2024
basics-icon

What is Doxepin (Sinequan)?

What is Doxepin (Sinequan) used for?

How Doxepin (Sinequan) works

Doxepin (Sinequan) is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). It affects the amounts of certain chemicals in your brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine, that can be out of balance during depression or anxiety.

When does Doxepin (Sinequan) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
Full effect
MONTHS

Drug facts

Common BrandsSinequan(brand name no longer available)
Drug ClassTricyclic antidepressant
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
side-effects-icon

Side effects of Doxepin (Sinequan)

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Drowsiness
  • Blurred vision
  • Dry mouth
  • Constipation
  • Trouble passing urine

Less Common Side Effects

  • Skin rash
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Sweating
  • Weight gain

Doxepin (Sinequan) serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Worsened depression
  • Suicidal thoughts or actions
When do Doxepin (Sinequan) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Drowsiness
Dry mouth
Blurry Vision
Constipation
Trouble passing urine

Source: DailyMed

The following Doxepin (Sinequan) side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Agitation

black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

blood in the urine or stools

blurred vision

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

canker sores

chest pain or tightness

chills

clay-colored stools

cold sweats

confusion about identity, place, and time

cool, pale skin

cough or hoarseness

dark urine

decrease in the frequency of urination

decrease in urine volume

decreased urine output

depression

difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)

difficulty with breathing

difficulty with speaking

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

drooling

dry mouth

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

feeling of warmth

fever

flushed, dry skin

fruit-like breath odor

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

headache

hearing loss

hostility

increased hunger

increased thirst

increased urination

irritability

itching or rash

lethargy

lip smacking or puckering

loss of appetite

loss of balance control

loss of bladder control

lower back or side pain

mood or mental changes

muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities

muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness

muscle twitching

nausea

nervousness

nightmares

noisy breathing

painful or difficult urination

pinpoint red spots on the skin

pounding in the ears

puffing of the cheeks

rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue

rapid weight gain

redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

restlessness

ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears that continues

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

seizures

shakiness and unsteady walk

shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

shuffling walk

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or in the mouth

slurred speech

stiffness of the limbs

stomach pain

stupor

sudden loss of consciousness

sweating

swelling of the face, ankles, or hands

swollen glands

trouble breathing

twisting movements of the body

uncontrolled chewing movements

uncontrolled movements, especially of the arms, face, legs, neck, and back

unexplained weight loss

unpleasant breath odor

unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting of blood

yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Clumsiness

disturbed concentration

drowsiness

enlarged pupils

increased or excessive unconscious or jerking movements

low body temperature

muscle aches

muscle weakness

shivering

sleepiness

weak or feeble pulse

weight gain

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

Change in taste or bad, unusual or unpleasant (after) taste

decreased interest in sexual intercourse

diarrhea

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

enlargement of the breasts

gas in the stomach

hair loss or thinning of the hair

heartburn

inability to have or keep an erection

increased in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

increased interest in sexual intercourse

increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight

loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

redness or other discoloration of the skin

severe sunburn

swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males

swelling of the testicles

unexpected or excess milk flow from breasts

weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Pros and cons of Doxepin (Sinequan)

Pros

  • Taken by mouth
  • Typically taken once daily
  • Available as oral capsules and solution

Cons

  • Need to avoid alcohol while taking it
  • Can take 2 to 3 weeks before you notice the full effects for depression
  • Can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the medication suddenly
pharmacist-tips-icon

Pharmacist tips for Doxepin (Sinequan)

pharmacist
  • It's important to keep taking doxepin (Sinequan) even if your symptoms are getting better. It can take 2 to 3 weeks before you notice the full effects of doxepin (Sinequan) when treating depression, but can take longer. You might notice that it works to treat your anxiety symptoms sooner.
  • Never stop your antidepressant medications without talking to your mental health provider. Suddenly stopping doxepin (Sinequan) can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, headache, irritability, and trouble sleeping.
  • Tell your prescriber right away if you notice sudden mood changes or thoughts of harming yourself. Though rare, doxepin (Sinequan) might raise the risk for depression and thoughts of self-harm.
  • You can take your doxepin (Sinequan) dose at bedtime if it makes you feel sleepy.
  • Don't drive or do anything that requires you to be alert until you know how doxepin (Sinequan) affects you, since it can make you feel very sleepy and less alert.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while taking doxepin (Sinequan). This can raise your risk of side effects, like drowsiness and dizziness, and can lead to serious injuries from falls.
  • If you're using the oral solution form of doxepin (Sinequan), make sure to use the measuring cup or syringe provided by your pharmacy to measure out your doses. Don't use household spoons, since they might not be accurate and cause you to take the wrong dose.
  • There isn't enough information available to know if doxepin (Sinequan) is safe to take during pregnancy. In animal studies, doxepin (Sinequan) didn't cause harm to unborn babies, but these studies aren't always representative of what happens in humans. To be safe, if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your healthcare team about the risks and benefits of doxepin (Sinequan) to you and your unborn baby.
  • Doxepin (Sinequan) can be found in breast milk. If you're breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, discuss with your healthcare team about the risks and benefits of the medication to you and your baby. Look out for signs of unusual sleepiness or slower breathing in your baby if you're taking doxepin (Sinequan) while breastfeeding.
faq-icon

Common questions about Doxepin (Sinequan)

Doxepin (Sinequan) capsule and oral solution are still available with a prescription from your healthcare professional (HCP). Brand name Sinequan has been discontinued.

No, doxepin (Sinequan) isn't considered to be a controlled substance. This medication isn't known to have a potential for causing addiction and dependence.

You can take doxepin (Sinequan) capsules and oral solution with or without food. But taking it with food might help if you're experiencing nausea or upset stomach after your dose.

Yes, weight gain is a possible side effect of doxepin (Sinequan). If you're worried about the risk of weight gain, work with your mental health professional and healthcare team to find healthy ways to manage your weight. You can also talk with your prescriber about other medication options that are less likely to cause weight gain.

Sleepiness is one of the most common side effects of doxepin (Sinequan), but it tends to get better the longer you take it. Be careful driving or performing any activities that require you to be alert before first knowing how this medication affects you. If the sleepiness bothers you, discuss with your prescriber if you can lower your dose or take an alternative medication.

It's best to avoid drinking alcohol when you're taking doxepin (Sinequan). Doing so can make you become too sleepy and less alert. This can be dangerous when driving or performing activities that require you to have a lot of focus and attention. It can also lead to serious injuries from falls.

You're at risk for withdrawal symptoms (e.g., nausea, tiredness, dizziness) if you suddenly stop taking doxepin (Sinequan). The risk is higher if do so after taking it for a long time without lowering your dose slowly. If you want to stop doxepin (Sinequan), talk with your mental health professional about how to do so safely by lowering your dose slowly over time.

Yes, doxepin (Sinequan) can cause sexual side effects like poor sex drive, erectile dysfunction, or difficulty getting an orgasm. But depression that's not well-treated can also lead to sexual issues. Let your healthcare team if you experience sexual side effects after starting this medication. They can help you figure out what might be causing your symptoms. If appropriate, they might adjust the dose of doxepin (Sinequan) or talk with you about other medication options.

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Risks and warnings for Doxepin (Sinequan)

Doxepin (Sinequan) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Suicidal thoughts or behavior

  • Risk factors: Age 24 years or under

Black Box Warning People taking doxepin (Sinequan) can experience worsening depression and suicidal thoughts or behavior. The risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior is higher in people 24 years of age and younger with depression or other mental health conditions. Watch for new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or suicidal behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment or when the dose changes. If you or a loved one notices any unusual changes in mood or behavior while you're taking doxepin (Sinequan), let your healthcare professional (HCP) know right away.

Unmasking of bipolar disorder

  • Risk factors: Bipolar disorder

Doxepin (Sinequan) shouldn't be used to treat bipolar disorder. Depression can easily be mistaken for the depressive phase of bipolar disorder. Taking doxepin (Sinequan) can trigger a manic episode in people at risk for bipolar disorder. Before starting this medication, your prescriber will make sure you don't have bipolar disorder and assess your risk for this mental health condition.

Serotonin syndrome

  • Risk factors: Taking medications that can raise serotonin

Taking doxepin (Sinequan) with certain medications that raise your serotonin levels can cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. This happens when there's too much serotonin in your body. Some examples of other medications that can cause this condition include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), TCAs, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs), and some herbal medications (e.g., St. John's Wort). Serotonin syndrome can lead to sweating, shaking in the hands, fast heart rate, trouble sleeping, or high fever. It can cause other serious complications, like high blood pressure, seizures, and even death. Contact your prescriber right away if you experience any of these side effects.

It's important to stop taking medications known as MAOIs (e.g., selegiline) 2 weeks before starting doxepin (Sinequan) to avoid side effects. Let your prescriber know if you're taking any other medications that might affect the amount of serotonin in your body, because you might need to be monitored while taking doxepin (Sinequan).

Drowsiness

  • Risk factors: Age 65 years or older | Taking other medications that cause drowsiness | Drinking alcohol

Taking doxepin (Sinequan) can make you sleepy. If you're over 65 years old, you might be at greater risk of falling or confusion due to these effects. Be sure to avoid activities that you need to be fully alert to do, like driving, until you know how this medication affects you. Taking doxepin (Sinequan) with other medications that make you less alert (e.g., benzodiazepines, opioids, antihistamines) raises your risk drowsiness. Work with your prescriber to adjust your dose, move your dose to bedtime, or find other treatment options if these side effects bother you.

dosage-icon

Doxepin (Sinequan) dosage

The average cost for 30 capsules of 10mg of Doxepin (Sinequan) is $9.37 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 24.19% off the average retail price of $12.36.
bottle of oral solutionBottle of oral solution
DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
120ml of 10mg/ml1 bottle$62.02$62.02
capsuleCapsule
DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
10mg30 capsules$9.37$0.31
100mg30 capsules$18.41$0.61
150mg30 capsules$25.86$0.86
25mg30 capsules$10.52$0.35
50mg30 capsules$14.34$0.48
75mg30 capsules$15.25$0.51
tube of creamTube of cream
DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
45g of 5%1 tube$179.66$179.66

Typical dosage for Doxepin (Sinequan)

  • People ages 12 years and older: The typical starting dose is 75 mg by mouth daily. Your mental health professional might raise or lower your dose depending on your response to the medication.

The total daily dose can be taken once a day or split up throughout the day. If you're taking doxepin (Sinequan) once a day, the maximum recommended dose is 150 mg per day. If you're splitting up your doses throughout the day, the maximum recommended daily dose is 300 mg.

interactions-icon

Interactions between Doxepin (Sinequan) and other drugs

Doxepin (Sinequan) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Doxepin (Sinequan). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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Doxepin (Sinequan) contraindications

Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Doxepin (Sinequan) will not be safe for you to take.

  • Glaucoma (eye condition that can cause blindness)
  • Urinary retention (trouble passing urine)
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What are alternatives to Doxepin (Sinequan)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Doxepin (Sinequan). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Doxepin (Sinequan)
Used for:
$9.37Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
$4.00Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
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  • Depression
$4.00Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
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Doxepin (Sinequan) images

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References

Best studies we found

Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC. (2024). Doxepin hydrochloride capsule [package insert]. DailyMed.

Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®). (2024). Doxepin. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Finder, R. M., et al. (2012). Doxepin up-to-date: A review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic efficacy with particular reference to depression. Drugs.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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