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What Is Doxepin?

Doxepin hydrochloride is a prescription tricyclic antidepressant. Capsule formulations are used for depression and anxiety associated with several psychiatric or medical settings. Low-dose doxepin tablets have a separate indication for insomnia characterized by difficulty maintaining sleep, with dosing that differs from antidepressant-dose capsules.

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What Is Doxepin?

Doxepin hydrochloride is a prescription tricyclic antidepressant. Capsule formulations are used for depression and anxiety associated with several psychiatric or medical settings. Low-dose doxepin tablets have a separate indication for insomnia characterized by difficulty maintaining sleep, with dosing that differs from antidepressant-dose capsules.

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How Does Doxepin Affect Norepinephrine Signaling?

The exact antidepressant mechanism of doxepin is not established. Current capsule labeling describes a hypothesis that clinical effects arise partly from changes in adrenergic signaling that reduce norepinephrine reuptake into nerve terminals. Doxepin also has anticholinergic, antihistamine, and antiserotonin activity.

Who Is Treated With Doxepin Capsules?

Doxepin capsules are used for depression and anxiety in psychoneurotic disorders, depression or anxiety associated with alcoholism or organic disease, and psychotic depressive disorders with associated anxiety. Current capsule labeling does not approve pediatric use. Alcohol should not be taken with doxepin.

How Are Doxepin Capsules Dosed?

For mild to moderate illness, the recommended starting dose is 75 mg daily. The usual dose range is 75 mg to 150 mg daily. More severe illness can require gradual increases up to 300 mg daily. When the full daily dose is taken once daily, the maximum recommended amount is 150 mg, commonly taken at bedtime.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Doxepin?

Doxepin carries a boxed warning for increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients taking antidepressants. Other concerns include drowsiness, confusion, low or high blood pressure, fast heart rate, anticholinergic effects, seizures, and angle-closure glaucoma in susceptible patients. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are stopped at least two weeks before doxepin is started.

Frequently Asked Questions About Doxepin

Is doxepin a tricyclic antidepressant?

Yes. Doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant used in higher-dose capsule formulations for depression and anxiety.

What is the usual starting dose of doxepin capsules?

For mild to moderate illness, current capsule labeling recommends 75 mg daily.

Is low-dose doxepin used for insomnia?

Yes. Low-dose doxepin tablets have a separate indication for insomnia involving difficulty maintaining sleep.

Can doxepin be taken with an MAOI?

No. Current capsule labeling directs patients to stop monoamine oxidase inhibitors at least two weeks before starting doxepin.

References

DailyMed - DOXEPIN HYDROCHLORIDE capsule. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d29a8c70-cf1c-4bf8-bb87-1c80babce64e. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.

Doxepin. LiverTox. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548035/. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.

Doxepin. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682390.html. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.

Doxepin. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Doxepin. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.

Doxepin. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542306/. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.