Doxepin oral capsule dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes doxepin oral capsule’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for doxepin. If you want to know more about doxepin oral capsule, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Doxepin oral capsule is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version. Doxepin also comes in other oral forms and a cream, but those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about those forms, talk with your doctor.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Doxepin has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

See the end of this article for more information about this warning.

Form and strengths of doxepin

Doxepin oral capsule comes as follows:

• Form: capsule that you take by swallowing
• Strengths: 10 milligrams (mg), 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg

Dosage of doxepin

This article describes the recommended dosages for doxepin oral capsule. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of doxepin oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of doxepin in adults

Doxepin is approved to treat anxiety and depression in adults.

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of doxepin oral capsule. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of doxepin oral capsule that gives the desired outcome.

The recommended dosages below are in milligrams (mg):

• Starting dosage: 75 mg once per day
• Maintenance dosage: 75–150 mg once per day or divided into two or three doses per day
• Maximum dosage: 300 mg divided into two or three doses per day

Dosage adjustments for doxepin

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of doxepin oral capsule based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• other health conditions you may have
• other medications you’re taking

Missed dose of doxepin

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of doxepin oral capsule. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of doxepin oral capsule and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about doxepin oral capsule and its dosage.

Can doxepin be taken for sleep? If so, what’s the dosage?

Some doctors prescribe doxepin oral tablets off-label for sleep. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat or help prevent.

Your doctor can tell you whether doxepin oral capsules are right for your sleep problems. If so, they can discuss the dosage you should take.

Is doxepin taken long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe doxepin oral capsule as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take doxepin oral capsule, talk with your doctor.

How doxepin is taken

You’ll swallow doxepin oral capsule, usually once per day. You can take the medication with or without food. 

You should take the capsule whole. Do not crush, split, or chew the capsule. If it’s hard for you to swallow capsules, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form. Or you can open the capsule, empty the contents into water, and mix it to drink. You can also open the capsule, empty the contents over a soft food, and mix it to eat. One example of a soft food is applesauce.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This is usually at bedtime. Doing so helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.

Doxepin oral capsule can make you feel tired, so taking it before bedtime may help you sleep. Taking doxepin at bedtime also can help you avoid sleepiness in the daytime.

Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Doxepin coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for doxepin when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of doxepin

It’s important that you do not take more doxepin oral capsule than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of doxepin overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• irregular heartbeat or heart rhythm
• severe low blood pressure
• convulsions (stiffness and muscle spasms that you can’t control)
• loss of consciousness

In extreme cases or if untreated, overdose can lead to coma or death.

What to do if you take too much doxepin

If you think you’ve taken too much doxepin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for doxepin oral capsule. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of doxepin oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take doxepin oral capsule exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• If my dose of doxepin oral capsule is increased, will side effects worsen?
• How long after I start taking doxepin will my symptoms lessen?
• Are prescribed doses of doxepin oral capsule to treat anxiety lower than the doses to treat depression?

Boxed warnings for doxepin

Doxepin has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Antidepressant drugs, including doxepin, may cause suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This severe side effect can occur in children, adolescents, or adults ages 24 years and younger. It also can occur if they have a history of major depressive disorder or other psychiatric conditions. Doxepin is not approved for use in children.

If you have changes in your thoughts, behavior, or mood during doxepin treatment, call your doctor right away. Symptoms might include:

• thoughts about hurting yourself
• attempting to hurt yourself
• doing dangerous things that you usually wouldn’t do
• panic attacks
• new or worse depression or anxiety
• trouble sleeping

People taking antidepressant drugs, including doxepin, must be monitored closely for any changes in mood, behavior, or thinking. Doctors will monitor for these things. Caregivers, close friends, and family members can also watch for these changes.

If you have thoughts of suicide during doxepin treatment, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or tell your doctor right away. You can also refer to this resource guide for ways to seek support.

To learn more about this boxed warning, talk with your doctor.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.