Doxylamine

Common use

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). 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.

Dosage and direction

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. This medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up. Take this medicine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.

Precautions

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take doxylamine if you have other medical conditions, especially: glaucoma; an enlarged prostate; problems with urination; or asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or other chronic lung disease.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of doxylamine.

Contraindications

You should not use doxylamine if you are allergic to it.
Doxylamine is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant. Doxylamine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines may also slow breast milk production. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Possible side effect

Doxylamine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have: confusion, hallucinations; severe dizziness or drowsiness; or little or no urinating.
Common side effects of doxylamine may include: blurred vision; dry mouth, nose, or throat; constipation; or mild dizziness or drowsiness.

Drug interaction

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, allergy, or sleep medicine. Antihistamines are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains an antihistamine.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention. Overdose symptoms may include severe forms of some of the side effects.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep away from children.