Doxepin

Introduction

Written by Dedra Weiss, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Updated on December 20, 2023

Doxepin (DOKS e pin) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for depression, anxiety, insomnia, and certain skin conditions in adults. The brand-name versions of this drug are Silenor and Zonalon. The cost of doxepin with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved doxepin capsule and oral solution to treat depression and anxiety related to alcoholism, manic depression, or other mental health conditions.

Doxepin cream is prescribed for certain skin conditions, such as itchy and inflamed skin or dry, scaly patches of skin. Doxepin tablet is approved to treat insomnia in those who have difficulty staying asleep.

Different forms of doxepin are approved for different uses. Talk with your doctor about which form of doxepin is right for you.

Read on to learn about doxepin and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about doxepin, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

Cost of doxepin

Like other medications, the cost of doxepin can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• your treatment plan

To find out how much doxepin costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for doxepin” section.

Coupons for doxepin

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of doxepin. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

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

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for doxepin

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of doxepin. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for doxepin. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking doxepin long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Doxepin is a generic medication. The brand-name version of doxepin oral tablet is Silenor. The brand-name version of doxepin topical cream is Zonalon. Doxepin oral capsule and doxepin oral solution aren’t available in brand-name versions.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

If your doctor has prescribed generic doxepin but you’re interested in taking a brand-name version, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of doxepin compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.

Common questions about doxepin and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about doxepin.

Does doxepin 10-mg capsule cost less than doxepin 25-mg capsule?

It’s possible that doxepin 10-mg capsule may cost slightly less than doxepin 25-mg capsule. However, the cost difference may not be significant.

Your cost for doxepin can vary depending on whether you have health insurance and the pharmacy you use.

If you have insurance, talk with your provider about your cost for doxepin. If you don’t have insurance, your pharmacy can tell you the costs for different strengths of doxepin.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about doxepin

This article provides cost information related to doxepin. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for doxepin.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• How do the costs compare for different forms of doxepin?
• How does the cost compare for generic doxepin cream and the brand-name version?
• Do the different strengths of doxepin tablets vary in cost?

Resources

• Doxepin hydrochloride capsules, USP. (2020). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/2cacce3a-4986-44a8-b4aa-6edb076d87bf/spl-doc
• Doxepin hydrochloride cream, 5%. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/dd8d5edd-7b08-4061-86e6-c4179da89c0d/spl-doc
• Doxepin hydrochloride oral solution USP. (2020). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f350afed-120b-422d-9e6e-3aaa0f72a5fb/spl-doc
• Doxepin tablets, for oral use. (2020). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/00ef7d0b-4bb9-cd5b-e063-6294a90abc35/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

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.