What is Doxylamine?
Doxylamine, an antihistamine, reduces the effects that histamine has on the body. Histamine may cause symptoms such as sneezing and itching. It can also cause watery eyes and a runny or watery nose. Antihistamines may cause sleepiness and are often used as sleep aids. Doxylamine can be used to treat symptoms such as sneezing and runny or watery noses, itching skin, hives, skin irritation, and other allergy symptoms. Doxylamine can also be used to treat sleep disorders (insomnia). Doxylamine can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Doxylamine
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.
Doxylamine can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Confusion, hallucinations;
- Dizziness or extreme drowsiness.
- Little or no urinating.
Some of the most common side effects associated with doxylamine include:
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth, nose, or throat
- Constipation;
- Mild dizziness or sleepiness.
Older adults may experience side effects like dry mouth, confusion, and constipation. There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
Please read all the instructions on the label or package of your medication. Inform your healthcare provider about your medical conditions, allergies, and medicines.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to doxylamine, it is best not to use it.
If you suffer from any other medical condition, such as:
- Glaucoma;
- An enlarged prostrate
- Problems with urination
- Asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or other chronic lung diseases.
The effects of this medication may be more pronounced in older adults. Doxylamine should not harm an unborn child. If you are pregnant, do not take this medication without consulting your doctor. Doxylamine can pass into breastmilk and harm nursing babies. Antihistamines can also reduce breast milk production. If you are breastfeeding a child, do not take this medication without consulting your doctor.
How to take Doxylamine?
Do not exceed the recommended dosage or duration. Use only the recommended dose. Do not exceed it. This medicine should only be taken for a few days until the symptoms have cleared up. Doxylamine should not be used to treat insomnia in children younger than 12 years of age. Before using this medication to treat allergy or cold symptoms in children younger than six years, consult your doctor. Ask a doctor first before giving any cold or allergy medication to your child. These medicines can be fatal if misused by very young children. If you have an upset stomach, take this medication with milk or food. It is best to only take doxylamine to treat insomnia when you have several hours of sleep available. Please follow your doctor's advice. If your allergy or cold symptoms don't improve within 7 days or your sleeping problems are not improved after two weeks of treatment, call your doctor. You may experience unusual reactions to allergy skin tests when taking this medication. Inform any doctor that you see about your antihistamine use. Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia:
Take 25 mg once daily, 30 minutes before going to bed.
Duration of therapy: maximum 2 weeks.
Use: Reduces difficulty falling asleep.
The usual pediatric dose for insomnia is:
Age 12 years or older: Take 25 mg once daily, 30 minutes before going to bed.
Duration of therapy: maximum 2 weeks.
Use: Reduces difficulty falling asleep.
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as you recall, take the missed dose. If your next scheduled dosage is approaching, skip the missed dose. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose. If you have insomnia and it's almost time for your normal waking hours, wait until the next day to take the dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention. Some of the symptoms listed in this guide may be severe overdose symptoms.
What should be avoided?
Doxylamine can cause blurred or double vision, and it may also affect your ability to think clearly or react quickly. You should be careful when driving or doing anything else that requires alertness and the ability to see clearly. Before using any other allergy, cold, or sleep medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Antihistamines are found in many combination medications. You can get too much antihistamine by taking certain products. Before using any other allergy, cold, or sleep medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Many combination medications contain antihistamines. You can get too much medication by taking certain products in combination. You can check the label of a medication to see if it contains antihistamines. Alcohol can enhance certain side effects caused by doxylamine. Avoid overheating or dehydration during exercise and hot weather. Doxylamine may decrease sweating, and you could be more susceptible to heatstroke.
Interaction with other drug
Before using this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you also use any other medications, such as vitamins and herbal remedies. When used together, some medicines can have unwanted or harmful effects. This medication guide does not list all possible interactions. This medicine can be worsened by other drugs that make you sleepy. Before taking doxylamine, consult your doctor if you are also taking sleeping pills, narcotic pain medicines, muscle relaxers, or medications for anxiety or depression.
