Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Doxepin as follows:
Cardiovascular side-effects
- Doxepin carries the risk of lowering the blood pressure. Hypotension, secondary to doxepin intake, can lead to episodes of confusion and dizziness, thus increasing the risk for fall and accidents.
- Doxepin also carries the risk of causing and/or aggravating cardiac arrhythmias, leading to severe debility and death. Individuals can present with episodes of chest pain, rapid heart rate, palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Central nervous system side-effects
- Doxepin can induce severe dizziness and make one drowsy. Starting the medication at a low dose, watching for the response, and gradually changing the dose, to help optimum control of your symptoms, can contribute to controlling/reducing the risk for drowsiness and dizziness due to the medication. If the dizziness becomes bothersome, report it to your physician and other health care personnel, for any change in plan of care to be considered. Stay away from activities, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until you are used to the side effects caused by doxepin intake.
- Continue taking doxepin, even if your mood feels better. Discontinuing the medication abruptly can result in disruption of this chemical balance in the brain, resulting in onset of severe withdrawal from the medication. Individuals on sudden withdrawal from doxepin, especially after prolonged use, can present with listlessness, lack of energy, exacerbation of depressive symptoms, anxiety, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, hallucinations, and mania. Discontinuation on doxepin use must be slow and gradual, using tapering doses, and only on your physician recommendation.
- Doxepin use carries risk for deterioration of mood disorders and worsening of clinical symptoms of mood disorders. Individuals can present with complaints such as, feeling low, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, gross appetite changes, impulsiveness, agitation, aggression, and suicidal thoughts. Report to your physician regarding these complaints promptly, for any change in plan of care to be considered.
