Doxepin - Is it a good choice for first-ever sleep aid (for deep sleep)?

[Carola]

I've never taken a sleeping pill in my life, but after waking up tired for the last year and a half, I'm ready for some help. I don't need help falling asleep but would love to get some sort of restorative sleep. I've read that low-dose Doxepin may be helpful and would appreciate any advice about this.

I'm also on antihistamines 24/7 (for chronic idopathic uritcaria), and so I need to think about interactions. And, if age is a factor - I'm 65. Thanks for any input!

 

[LaurelW]

This worked really well for me some years ago, but it made me gain so much weight I had to give it up. I tried it again last year, and it didn't really work, and I gained 10 pounds in 2 weeks that I have yet to shed.

 

[Otis]

Doxepin has antihistamine properties which is probably one reason it helps with sleep. That may or may not be a good thing in your case. I took it years back and it helped me sleep some but I found that I needed a dose that was high enough that it resulted in a hangover. I had no way to measure it at the time - now I have a Zeo which helps me monitor my sleep and I've learned that my impressions are borne out by the Zeo measurements.

I think it's a reasonable first step for tacking sleep. Many people (esp. ME patients) get too drugged by the smallest tablet/capsure size (10mg) so you might want to look into the elixer. Here' a thread you might want to check out.

Best of luck.

 

[TheMoonIsBlue]

Hi LaurelW,

I keep reading about the weight gain issue with Doxepin. I wonder if it is dose dependant. How many milligrams were you taking? I wonder why weight gain is such an issue for so many with this med, if the doses used are very low......maybe it is just something with all trycyclics?

 

[Carola]

Thank you all for this very helpful information. Interesting about the antihistamine properties of the drug as well as the weight-gain issue. Over the last 15 years, I've built up quite a tolerance for antihistamines. So, I'm not sure if a sleep aid that relies at least in part on antihistamine properties is a good choice for me or not.

As it happens, the antihistamine I rely on, ketotifen fumerate, is also associated with weight gain. So I feel somewhat cautious about adding another drug with that association, especially since I can't exercise any more.

Again, thanks! Much to ponder.

 

[heapsreal]

great for sleep but can make u feel groogy the next day so try it when u having nothing planned the next day. I also put weight on with this meds when used nightly but using it every so often helped me avoid weight gain.

cheers!!!

 

[LaurelW]

I was on 30 mg., but never tried lower, so don't know what would happen there.

 

[*GG*]

Doxepin did not work for me, but I take Mirtazapine, started at 15mgs or so, now up to 30mg/night. I also use a VPAP with oxygen, and I feel much better when I wake in the morning now, I also wake up later, later work start time. I also take 3mgs of Melatonin and LDN, and just went up to 6mgs/ of Tinzanidine.

GG

 

[Carola]

Thanks for the feedback on doxepin and details on other possibilities - very helpful.

 

[grant107]

I have taken .5mg of Doxepin for several years. It helps my sleep but any higher dose and i have a hangover.