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Doxepin Coupon - Doxepin 45g of 5% tube of cream

doxepin cream

Generic Zonalon
Used for Eczema, Itching

Doxepin (Zonalon) is a prescription cream used to relieve itching in adults with skin conditions like eczema or lichen simplex chronicus, a condition that causes thick, dry, patchy skin from repeated scratching or rubbing. You apply this medication 4 times a day on affected areas for up to 8 days. Common side effects include burning or stinging on the skin. If you apply it to a large area of your body, you might also feel drowsy. doxepin (Zonalon) is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.

Reviewed by:
reviewerKristianne Hannemann, PharmD
reviewerAllison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on January 9, 2025
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What is Doxepin (Zonalon)?

What is Doxepin (Zonalon) used for?

How Doxepin (Zonalon) works

Doxepin (Zonalon) is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat itchy skin. The exact way it works to relieve itching isn't known, but it's thought to block a chemical in your body called histamine, which normally causes itching. By blocking histamine, doxepin (Zonalon) reduces itching with certain skin conditions.

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

Drug facts

Common BrandsZonalon, Prudoxin
Drug ClassTricyclic antidepressant
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Side effects of Doxepin (Zonalon)

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

  • Burning or stinging (23%)
  • Drowsiness (22%)
  • Dry mouth (10%)

Less Common Side Effects

  • Itching
  • Tiredness
  • Worsening eczema
  • Dizziness
  • Mood changes
  • Bitter or metallic taste in mouth
  • Swelling
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Nausea

Source: DailyMed

The following Doxepin (Zonalon) 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 as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Burning, crawling, or tingling sensation of the skin

swelling at the site of application

worsening of eczema and itching

Rare

Fever

Symptoms of overdose

Abdominal pain and swelling

blurring of vision

convulsions (seizures)

decreased awareness or responsiveness

difficulty in breathing

difficulty in passing urine

dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness

drowsiness

enlarged pupils

excessive dryness of mouth

extremely high fever or body temperature

extremely low body temperature

fast heartbeat

increased or excessive unconscious or jerking movements

incurable constipation

irregular heartbeat

unconsciousness

vomiting

weak pulse

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:

More common

Burning and/or stinging at the site of application

changes in taste

dizziness

drowsiness

dryness and tightness of skin

dryness of mouth and/or lips

emotional changes

headache

thirst

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Anxiety

irritation, tingling, scaling, and cracking of skin

nausea

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 (Zonalon)

Pros

  • Easy to apply on your skin
  • Works within 15 minutes for most people
  • Not a steroid cream

Cons

  • Only for short-term use, up to 8 days
  • Needs to be applied 4 times a day
  • Commonly causes drowsiness
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Pharmacist tips for Doxepin (Zonalon)

pharmacist
  • Tell your prescriber about all the medications you're taking before starting doxepin (Zonalon). Include prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, and supplements to make sure they don’t interact.
  • Wash your hands before and after using doxepin (Zonalon). Keep it away from your eyes to prevent irritation.
  • Avoid using occlusive bandages (air-tight or water-tight bandages) over the areas where you applied doxepin (Zonalon). Bandaging can cause your body to absorb too much medication, putting you at higher risk of side effects like drowsiness or skin irritation.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while taking doxepin (Zonalon). Combining these can cause dizziness, falls, or serious injuries. Wait to drive or do activities that require alertness until you know how this medication affects you.
  • Doxepin (Zonalon) commonly causes drowsiness. Your risk is higher if you're applying the cream to larger areas of your body (more than 10%). If this happens, speak to your prescriber, they might recommend using it less often or even applying a smaller amount.
  • If you're still experiencing itchiness after 8 days of using doxepin (Zonalon), let your prescriber know. Using it longer can increase your risk of side effects like allergic reactions or drowsiness.
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Common questions about Doxepin (Zonalon)

It can. In clinical studies, nearly 1 in 10 people reported dry mouth, dry lips, and dry throat after applying doxepin (Zonalon). This is more likely to happen if you apply the cream to more than 10% of your body. If these effects become bothersome, talk to your prescriber.

No, doxepin (Zonalon) isn't a topical analgesic, so it shouldn't be used for pain relief. Rather, it's specifically used to treat itching in people with certain skin conditions. Speak with your dermatologist or healthcare professional (HCP) if you're looking for a medication to manage pain.

No, doxepin (Zonalon) isn't considered a numbing cream like lidocaine. Instead, it works by blocking histamine, a chemical in your body that triggers itching.

Don't apply doxepin (Zonalon) to an open wound or burned skin. For one, the medication can cause burning and might make your symptoms worse. Also, scratching a burn could lead to a skin infection. If you need to treat a skin burn, speak with your dermatologist or HCP.

Yes, doxepin (Zonalon) is a tricyclic antidepressant. Though it's considered an antidepressant, doxepin (Zonalon) is used as a cream to treat itching from certain skin conditions. It's thought to work by blocking histamine, a chemical in the body that causes itching, providing relief for skin irritation.

You should only use doxepin (Zonalon) for up to 8 days. Using it longer can cause side effects, like drowsiness or an allergic reaction, due to the medication building up in your body. If your itching doesn’t improve after 8 days, contact your prescriber.

There isn't enough information to know if doxepin (Zonalon) is safe to use during pregnancy. In animal studies, the medication didn’t cause harm to unborn babies. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, discuss the risks with your prescriber before starting doxepin (Zonalon).

Doxepin (Zonalon) hasn't been studied in people who are breastfeeding. But side effects like drowsiness, poor sucking, and trouble breathing have been seen in breastfed babies whose mothers took oral doxepin. Since doxepin (Zonalon) can be absorbed through your skin into your blood, it’s recommended not to breastfeed while using this medication. Talk with your prescriber if you have questions about doxepin (Zonalon) and breastfeeding.

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Risks and warnings for Doxepin (Zonalon)

Doxepin (Zonalon) 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.

Drowsiness

  • Risk factors: Alcohol use | Applying doxepin (Zonalon) to a larger area of the body | Taking other medications that make you sleepy or less alert | Using doxepin (Zonalon) for more than 8 days | Using air- and water-tight bandages on top

Doxepin (Zonalon) can cause drowsiness and weaken your ability to focus, think, and react. If you're an older adult, you might also be at greater risk of falling due to these effects. Using it along with alcohol, antihistamines, or other medications that make you sleepy can make you even more drowsy. Your risk is higher if you apply doxepin (Zonalon) to more than 10% of your body, cover the area with occlusive bandages, or use it longer than 8 days, since your body can absorb too much of the medication. Avoid activities that require focus, like driving or using machinery, until you know how the medication affects you. If you feel very drowsy, let your prescriber know. They might suggest using doxepin (Zonalon) less often, applying less of it, or treating a smaller area of your body. In some cases, you might need to stop using it altogether.

Allergic reaction

  • Risk factors: Using doxepin (Zonalon) for more than 8 days

Doxepin (Zonalon) can cause contact sensitization, which is when your body begins to develop an allergic reaction to a substance. Using the cream for more than 8 days raises your risk of this happening. Contact your prescriber if you notice a rash, redness, or swelling where you apply doxepin (Zonalon).

Drug interactions

Doxepin (Zonalon) can interact with certain medications, which might raise your risk for side effects. For example, taking cimetidine with doxepin (Zonalon) could cause serious anticholinergic side effects like dry mouth, trouble urinating, and blurred vision. You should also stop taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) at least 2 weeks before starting doxepin (Zonalon) to reduce your risk of serotonin syndrome. Always tell your prescriber about all medications, including supplements and vitamins, you’re taking.

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Doxepin (Zonalon) dosage

The average cost for 1 tube of 45g of 5% of Doxepin (Zonalon) is $179.66 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 72.74% off the average retail price of $658.99.
tube of creamTube of cream
DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
45g of 5%1 tube$179.66$179.66

Typical dosage for Doxepin (Zonalon)

Apply a thin layer to the affected areas 4 times a day, leaving 3 to 4 hours between each application, for up to 8 days.

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Interactions between Doxepin (Zonalon) and other drugs

Doxepin (Zonalon) 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 (Zonalon). 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 (Zonalon) 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 (Zonalon) will not be safe for you to take.

  • Trouble passing urine
  • Untreated narrow angle glaucoma
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What are alternatives to Doxepin (Zonalon)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Doxepin (Zonalon). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Doxepin (Zonalon)
Used for:
$179.66Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:

Short-term relief of skin irritations (e.g., itching) due to:

  • Skin inflammation
  • Skin rashes
  • Eczema
  • Psoriasis
  • Insect bites
  • Poison ivy or oak
  • Skin allergies
  • Dry scalp
  • Genital or rectal irritation
$19.65Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:

Topical lidocaine products come in many forms and strengths. Each can be used for different conditions.

In general, they're used for temporary relief of pain, itching, burning, or discomfort from:

  • Minor burns
  • Sunburns
  • Minor cuts
  • Scrapes
  • Insect bites
  • Minor skin irritations
  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Hemorrhoids and other irritations in the anal area
  • Tattoos, piercings, microblading, and other skin procedures
$5.17Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
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News about Doxepin (Zonalon)

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Doxepin (Zonalon) images

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This medicine is White Tube Of Cream.white - Doxepin Hydrochloride 5% Topical Cream

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References

Best studies we found

Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC. (2023). Doxepin Hydrochloride cream [package insert]. DailyMed.

Breneman, D., et al. (1997). Doxepin cream relieves eczema-associated pruritus within 15 minutes and is not accompanied by a risk of rebound upon discontinuation. Journal of Dermatological Treatment.

Charifa, A., et al. (2023). Lichen simplex chronicus. StatPearls.

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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