Details

Doxylamine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose. Antihistamines can cause drowsiness and are sometimes used a sleep aids. Doxylamine is used to treat sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other cold or allergy symptoms. Doxylamine is also used as a short-term treatment for sleep problems (insomnia). Ask a doctor if it is safe for you to take doxylamine if you have glaucoma an enlarged prostate problems with urination or asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or other chronic lung disease. Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of doxylamine.

Typical Uses

Doxylamine is an antihistamine, used to relieve symptoms of allergy, hay fever, and the common cold. This medication works by blocking certain natural substances (histamine, acetylcholine) that your body makes. This effect helps to relieve allergy/cold symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing.

Side Effects

Contact your medical professional if you experience confusion, hallucinations severe dizziness or drowsiness little or no urinating blurred vision dry mouth, nose, or throat constipation or mild dizziness or drowsiness. Side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and confusion may be more likely in older adults.

Drug Interactions

• Doxylamine+propoxyphene- Using propoxyphene together with doxylamine may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should take propoxyphene exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take larger doses or use the drug more frequently than prescribed. Misuse of propoxyphene can lead to serious side effects including death, and the risk may be greater if you have a history of emotional disturbances, suicidal thoughts, or alcohol and drug abuse.

• Doxylamine+furazolidone- Talk to your doctor before using doxylamine together with furazolidone. Combining these medications may increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

• Doxylamine+isocarboxazid- Talk to your doctor before using doxylamine together with isocarboxazid. Combining these medications may increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Mechanism of action

Doxylamine belongs to a class of drugs called as antihistaminic. It acts by blocking the effects of the mainly chemical histamine and few others in the body, which are responsible for the symptoms of allergies, cold and morning sickness. It also causes drowsiness and helps in falling asleep.

Pregnancy Category : A