What Is Doxepin Used For?

Doxepin is approved for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and insomnia in adults. Although the medication has not been approved for use in children and teenagers, it can be used "off-label" to treat anxiety and depression in children over the age of 12. Other off-label uses of doxepin may include the treatment of chronic pain, itchy rashes, and migraines.

Doxepin HCl

Doxepin Uses: An Overview

Doxepin hydrochloride (Sinequan^®, Silenor^®) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression), anxiety, and insomnia. Generic doxepin capsules and oral solution are approved for treating anxiety and depression, while doxepin tablets (Silenor) are approved for treating insomnia.

Using Doxepin for Depression

Depression is more than just "feeling sad.

" Common symptoms of depression include:

Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or not enough)
Eating too much or too little (and weight gain or weight loss)
Having little interest in things that you used to enjoy
Physical pain
Feeling hopeless or worthless
Suicidal thoughts.

Doxepin is approved to treat depression, including depression caused by alcoholism or other medical conditions. Keep in mind that many antidepressants (including doxepin) take several weeks to begin working. Sometimes, other people will notice an improvement in your depression symptoms before you do. Often, the physical symptoms of depression (such as pain or changes in sleep) will improve first, sometimes very quickly. It usually takes a few weeks before significant changes in mood occur. It is important to give doxepin a chance to work before becoming discouraged.

Counseling and therapy (see Psychotherapy for Depression) are often used along with antidepressant medication to treat depression. Ask your healthcare provider if counseling or therapy would be good options for you (see Depression Treatment).

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