Medical Source InformationYellow highlights indicate symptoms related to
hypomania.
The concomitant administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors and doxepin is considered contraindicated.
Worsening of depression and/or increased suicidal thinking or behavior may always be a possibility in patients treated with antidepressant medications, particularly those being treated for depression. Anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, akathisia (severe restlessness), hypomania, and mania have been reported in patients being treated with antidepressants for major depressive disorder as well as for other indications, both psychiatric and nonpsychiatric. It is unknown if these symptoms are a precursor to either worsening of depression or the emergence of suicidal impulses; however, there is concern that patients who experience one or more of these symptoms may be at increased risk for worsening depression or suicidality. Although the FDA has not concluded that antidepressant drugs cause worsening depression or suicidality, health care providers should be aware that worsening of symptoms could be due to the underlying disease or might be a result of drug therapy.
Because antidepressants are believed to have the potential for inducing manic episodes in patients with bipolar disorder, there is a concern about using antidepressants alone in this population. Therefore, patients should be adequately screened to determine if they are at risk for bipolar disorder before initiating antidepressant treatment so that they can be appropriately monitored during treatment. Such screening should include a detailed psychiatric history, including a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, and depression.
Nervous system side effects have been reported more frequently with drowsiness as the most cited adverse effect. Dystonia, myoclonus, worsening of seizure control, hoarseness, aphonia, visual hallucinations, and tinnitus have also been reported. Mania can occur and is a particular risk in patients with bipolar disease.
Although doxepin is not addicting, withdrawal symptoms after abrupt discontinuation may occur and include hypertension, tachycardia, restlessness, abdominal distress and emesis. A case of doxepin withdrawal mania has also been reported.