Mechanism #
Tricyclic antidepressant; formulations span different indications.
Clinical distinction #
The retrieved candidate is topical cream and cannot substantiate oral depression or low-dose insomnia dosing.
Monitoring and warnings #
Oral and topical products have different instructions. Check the exact formulation and its anticholinergic, sedation and topical cautions.
Formulation scope #
Separate oral antidepressant, low-dose insomnia tablet and topical cream records.
Condition-specific prescribing #
Indication-specific records shared with the clinical handbook. Population, formulation and source jurisdiction are part of each regimen.
Doxepin
Sleep-maintenance insomnia: low-dose insomnia tablets
Adults · Low-dose 3 mg / 6 mg insomnia tablets; not antidepressant-strength capsules · Oral · United States product labeling
- Starting dose
- 6 mg at bedtime for adults; 3 mg may be appropriate. Age ≥65: start 3 mg.
- Titration
- If indicated and tolerated, increase a 3 mg dose to 6 mg; no mandatory escalation.
- Treatment range / target
- 3–6 mg once nightly, within 30 minutes of bedtime; avoid within 3 hours of a meal.
- Maximum / limits
- 6 mg/day; with cimetidine, maximum 3 mg/day.
- Trial & duration
- Reevaluate persistent symptoms; failure to remit after 7–10 days may indicate an underlying disorder.
- Monitoring
- Next-day sedation, impaired alertness, falls and complex sleep behaviors.
- Population & organ-function adjustments
- Hepatic impairment or urinary-retention tendency: start 3 mg. Older adults start 3 mg.
- Important cautions
- Contraindicated in untreated narrow-angle glaucoma or severe urinary retention and with MAOIs. Avoid alcohol/additive sedatives.
Special populations & counseling #
Age, renal and hepatic function, pregnancy, breastfeeding, co-medication and the treatment indication require medicine-specific review. A general class statement cannot establish suitability for an individual.
Discuss the intended benefit, expected review plan, relevant adverse effects, driving or falls considerations, and how to obtain help. Stopping, switching or restarting requires the exact product’s instructions and clinical assessment.
Brands & products #
Supplied catalogue observations; price dates may be unknown. Presence does not establish current stock or Indian approval.
Reference coverage #
Ingredient profiles and product records are separate. Details not supplied in this reference must be checked in the exact product information; missing information is not evidence of absence or safety.
References · 4
- Low-dose doxepin tablets: product label · United States label · Checked 2026-10-26 · Supports: Doxepin — Sleep-maintenance insomnia: low-dose insomnia tablets (Low-dose 3 mg / 6 mg insomnia tablets; not antidepressant-strength capsules)
- DailyMed structured product information · Retrieved 2026-10-07
- MHRA product information · Retrieved 2026-10-07
- CDSCO approved new drugs · Retrieved 2026-10-07