Doxylamine (patient information)
Why this medication is prescribed
Doxylamine, an antihistamine, causes drowsiness as a side effect and is used in the short-term treatment of insomnia. It is also used, in combination with decongestants, to relieve cough and cold symptoms.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How this medication should be used
Doxylamine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken 30 minutes before bedtime for sleep. For cold symptoms, doxylamine usually is taken every 4-6 hours. Follow the directions on the package label or on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take doxylamine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not give doxylamine to a child younger than 12 years of age unless directed to do so by a doctor.
Special precautions
Before taking doxylamine:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to doxylamine or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially medications for colds, hay fever, or allergies; muscle relaxants; pain medications; sedatives; sleep medications; tranquilizers; and vitamins. Do not take doxylamine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor [phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate)] in the last 2 weeks.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, lung disease, glaucoma, ulcers, difficulty urinating (due to an enlarged prostate gland), heart disease, high blood pressure, seizures, or an overactive thyroid gland.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking doxylamine, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking doxylamine.
- you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
- remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
Special dietary instructions
Doxylamine may cause an upset stomach. Take doxylamine with food or milk.
What to do if you forget a dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Side effects
Minor side effects
Doxylamine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if this symptom is severe or does not go away:
- dry mouth, nose, and throat
Severe side effects
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- vision problems
- difficulty urinating
- muscle weakness
- excitement
- nervousness
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
Storage conditions needed for this medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Other information
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Brand names
- Nighttime Sleep Aid®
- Sleep Aid® Liqui-Gels® Maximum Strength
- Unisom® Nighttime Sleep Aid