ABSTRACT
This chapter describes trade name, classification, approved indications for psychological disorders, available dosage forms, storage, and compatibility, usual dosage and administration, relative contraindications, and clinically significant drug interactions of Doxepin. Doxepin is excreted in low concentrations is breast milk. If doxepin pharmacotherapy is required, breast-feeding probably should be discontinued. The optimum daily dosage of doxepin depends on the severity of the patient’s signs and symptoms and individual response to adjunctive pharmacotherapy. Doxepin has antidepressant, sedative, and anticholinergic actions. At higher dosages, it has peripheral adrenergic blocking actions. Doxepin’s exact mechanism of action has not yet been fully determined. Doxepin overdosage requires emergency symptomatic medical support of body systems with attention to increasing doxepin elimination. Concurrent doxepin and MAOI pharmacotherapy may result in an increase in the therapeutic and toxic effects of both drugs. Concurrent doxepin and MAOI pharmacotherapy is contraindicated. Concurrent doxepin pharmacotherapy and pharmacotherapy with anticholinergics or other drugs that produce anticholinergic actions may result in additive anticholinergic actions.
