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Brand names - Adapin, Sinequan, Dothiepin
Medication type - Tricyclic antidepressant.
Common side effects - Drowsiness or
dizziness, headache, dry mouth or unpleasant taste, fatigue, heightened
sensitivity to light, weight gain, nausea, increased appetite.
Rare side effects - Heartburn, difficulty
sleeping, diarrhoea, increased sweating, vomiting.
Serious side effects - Confusion, heartbeat
irregularities, hallucinations, seizures, extreme fatigue or drowsiness,
blurred or altered vision, breathing difficulty, constipation, impaired
concentration, difficult urination, fever, extreme and persistent
restlessness, loss of coordination and balance, difficulty swallowing
or speaking, dilated pupils, eye pain, fainting. Also trembling,
shaking, weakness, and stiffness in the extremities; shuffling gait.
Call your doctor immediately.
Uses - To relieve symptoms of major
depression.
Other notes - Can take 1-6 weeks to
take effect. Take with food to reduce the chance of a stomach upset,
unless your doctor instructs otherwise. Increase intake of fiber
and fluids. When taking the oral solution, dilute doxepin in half
a glass of water, milk, or fruit juice, but not grapefruit juice.
Do not take this drug with a carbonated beverage. Avoid alcohol.
Doxepin passes into breast milk; do not use it while nursing. Doxepin
has been found to cause drowsiness in the infant. This is a potentially
dangerous drug, especially if taken in excess. Tricyclic antidepressants
should not be within easy reach of suicidal patients. If dry mouth
occurs, use sugarless gum or candy.
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