Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking doxepin as follows:
- Doxepin takes some time to fairly balance the chemicals in the brain, before any improvement in mood and behavior are noted. It could take about 2 – 4 weeks to see this change in mood. So, do not discontinue taking the medication without consulting your physician, as you failed to see the improvement with depression and anxiety symptoms immediately after taking the medication.
- Intake of doxepin induces relaxation of urinary bladder, prevent/reduce episodes of bladder contraction, induce retention of urine in the bladder, and cause difficulty with emptying the bladder. Retention of urine in the bladder is a significant factor contributing to development of UTI. Individuals with history of retention of urine and frequent urinary tract infections must be aware of this side-effect of doxepin, as the medication can exacerbate this risk significantly. Observing compliance with proper hydration measures, compliance with daily fluid intake recommendations, practicing hygiene & timed voiding with other UTI prevention measures can help reduce the risk of urinary retention and prevent development of any UTIs, secondary to doxepin intake.
- As the balance between the chemicals in the brain has to be finely regulated to help relieve the anxiety and depressive symptoms and experience feelings of well-being, the dose of doxepin also needs to be finely regulated, in order to accomplish this goal. Your physician could change the dose of doxepin, based on the response and side-effects developed. Maintain compliance with follow-up physician appointments and be accommodative to the plan of dose changes, until you show an optimum response.
