Drug Name

Sinequan (Doxepin)

Drug Uses

Sinequan is used to elevate the mood of patients with depression. Nortriptyline is as well as a sedative as well as is useful in depressed patients with insomnia, restlessness, as well as nervousness. It as well as has been found to be helpful for treating chronic pain as well as the pain of neuralgia.

How Taken

The dose of sinequan is tailored to the patient's needs. Sometimes, physicians will start with relatively abridged doses, such as 25mg, given three times a day, to reduce the risk of excessive sedation beginning in the course; doses then will be increased slowly. (It may take several weeks before the effects of a dose are maximal.) Other physicians prefer to give nortriptyline once daily, in which case it is generally given at bedtime to take advantage of its sedating properties. Elderly persons as well as patients with advanced liver disease may need lower doses.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Sinequan is an anti-depressant medication of the tricyclic class. Medications in this class are often referred to as tricyclic anti-depressants, or TCAs. Depression is an all-pervasive sense of sadness as well as gloom. In some patients with depression, abnormal levels of neurotransmitters (chemicals that the nerve cells take to communicate with each other) may be the cause of the depression. Nortriptyline elevates mood by raising the level of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Incase it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose as well as resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Sinequan should be stored below 86°F (30°C) in a close, light resistant container.

Warnings/Precautions

There is very little information about the effects of sinequan on the fetus in pregnant women. Physicians may take sinequan it incase its benefits are deemed to outweigh the unknown risks. It is not known incase doxepin is secreted in breast milk.

Likely Side Effects

The most commonly encountered side effects associated with sinequan include rapid heart rate, blurred vision, urinary retention (difficulty urinating), moistureless mouth, constipation, weight gain or loss, as well as abridged blood pressure when going from sitting to standing orthostatic hypotension). Rash, hives, seizures, as well as hepatitis are rare side effects. Sinequan as well as can cause elevated pressure in the eyes of some patients with glaucoma. Overdose with sinequan can cause life threatening abnormal heart rhythms or seizures. Incase antidepressants are discontinued abruptly, symptoms may occur such as dizziness, headache, nausea, changes in mood, or changes in the sense of smell, taste, etc. (Such symptoms even may occur when even a few doses of antidepressant are missed.) Therefore, it is recommended that the dose of antidepressant be reduced gradually when therapy is discontinued.

More Information

Do not share this medication with others. Keep all health examination appointments.