Doxepin is a dibenzoxepine derived-tricyclic antidepressant employed in the management of major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety, and insomnia. [1,2] Its approval by the FDA for MDD or anxiety dates back to 1969, while it gained FDA approval for insomnia in 2010. [1-3] 

Doxepin acts by suppression of serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) reuptake within synaptic clefts in the central nervous system (CNS), thus boosting brain levels of these neurotransmitters. [1] This tricyclic medication also exhibits antagonist effects on histaminic, muscarinic, and alpha-adrenergic receptors. [2,4]

Pharmacological Class: Tricyclic antidepressants [2] 

Doxepin is a psychotropic medication employed in the management of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder. [5]

Doxepin's antidepressant action is primarily linked to the inhibition of biogenic amine reuptake in the CNS, particularly NE and 5-HT at synaptic nerve terminals. This inhibition elevates monoamines levels in the synaptic cleft, subsequently enhancing action at the post-synaptic neuron receptor sites. Additionally, there is a suggestion that doxepin may desensitize both 5-HT 1A receptors and beta-adrenergic receptors. 

The dearth of dopamine transporters in the frontal cortex is recognized, and the predominant inhibition of dopamine transport in this area is attributed to the influence of NE reuptake. Consequently, the suggested effect of Doxepin on the frontal cortex is to enhance dopamine neurotransmission in this specific area. [5] When administered at low doses (<10 mg), Doxepin exhibits a strong affinity for the histamine H1 receptor while having minimal impact on serotonergic or adrenergic receptors, thereby qualifying as a selective histamine H1 antagonist.

The standard antidepressant dose exceeds 75 mg per day. At low doses (<10 mg), doxepin predominantly targets histamine H1 receptors without significant impact on serotonergic or adrenergic receptors, exhibiting selectivity as a histamine H1 antagonist. The hypothesis suggests that blocking histamine H1 receptors during a circadian cycle, when histamine release and wakefulness decrease, may facilitate and sustain sleep. [4]

For insomnia:

• The initial dosage for adults is 6 mg, to be taken once daily, and for the elderly, the recommended dosage is 3 mg, to be taken once daily as well.
• It is advised to take the medication within 30 minutes of bedtime, and the total daily dosage should not surpass 6 mg.
• Consumption within 3 hours of a meal is contraindicated. [3]

 

For anxiety/depression:

(a) In adults

• Commence with a low daily dose of 25 mg, gradually escalating every 5-7 days.
• The oral dosage can range from 25 to 300 mg per day, with a maximum of 150 mg as a single dose.
• It is recommended to split the daily dose into two administrations, spaced 12 hours apart, when the total dosage exceeds 150 mg.

(b) In geriatrics

• Commence with a lower initial dosage, such as 10 mg per day, and make adjustments gradually.
• Administer 10-25 mg orally every night. If well-tolerated, consider raising the dosage by 10-25 mg every three days for inpatients and weekly for outpatients. [6]

Absorption

Doxepin demonstrates moderate absorption upon oral ingestion, having a bioavailability of 30%. Its median peak concentration varies from 8.8-45.8 ng/ml and is achieved 3.5 hours after the initial administration. Its absorption is escalated when administered alongside a high-fat meal.
 

Volume of Distribution

The reported mean apparent volume of distribution is 20 L/kg.
 

Protein binding

According to equilibrium dialysis, Doxepin illustrates an average protein binding of 75.5%, while desmethyldoxepin exhibits a protein binding of 76%.
 

Metabolism

Doxepin undergoes substantial metabolic transformation to produce N-desmethyldoxepin, a biologically active metabolite, along with other inactive metabolites. The first-pass metabolism contributes to 55-87% of the administered dose. Subsequently, secondary metabolism takes place as N-desmethyldoxepin is transformed into its glucuronide form.

The primary metabolic enzymes engaged in the conversion of Doxepin include members of the cytochrome P450 family, specifically CYP2C19 and CYP2D6, with minor participation from CYP1A2 and CYP2C9.
 

Route of elimination

The excretion pattern of Doxepin is characterized by two phases. It is predominantly eliminated through urine in the form of glucuronide conjugates. Less than three percent of the administered Doxepin dose is eliminated in the urine as either Nordoxepin or the parent compound.

Half-life

The reported mean elimination half-life is 15 hours.
 

Clearance

In healthy individuals, the average total apparent plasma clearance of a 50 mg oral dosage of Doxepin is 0.93 L per hour per kilogram. [5]

• Hypersensitivity is exhibited towards Doxepin hydrochloride, inactive components, or other dibenzoxepines. [3] Hence, Doxepin should be avoided by those having hypersensitivity to the drug or its excipients. [2]
• Avoid using Doxepin if the patient is presently using or has utilized monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) within the past two weeks.
• Do not use in cases of untreated narrow-angle glaucoma or substantial urinary retention. [3]
• Doxepin is contraindicated in individuals with cardiovascular disorders, including preexisting bundle branch blocks. Literature reports instances of atrioventricular heart block, orthostatic hypotension, and conduction abnormalities in patients who took doxepin, highlighting the importance of avoiding its prescription in such cases.
• Doxepin is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers during the postpartum period due to its poor safety profile. It is contraindicated in lactating women because of its sedative and respiratory depressive effects, posing potential risks to both the mother and the infant. [2]

• MAO Inhibitors: Doxepin should be avoided in patients who have taken MAOIs within the last 2 weeks. [3] There should be a 14-day interval between the use of Doxepin and MAO inhibitors (such as phenelzine and selegiline) to evade potential interactions. [2]
• Cimetidine: Usage of Cimetidine enhances the exposure to Doxepin.
• Alcohol: The sedative effects of Doxepin may be intensified when consumed with alcohol.
• Sedative antihistamines and CNS depressants: The sedative impact of Doxepin may be intensified when co-administered with CNS depressants and sedating antihistamines.
• Tolazamide: There has been a reported case of severe hypoglycemia associated with the use of Tolazamide. [3]
• CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 inhibitors: Doxepin undergoes extensive metabolism by CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 enzymes. Concurrent use of doxepin with inhibitors of these enzymes may lead to an increase in drug exposure, emphasizing the need for caution and potential dosage adjustments. [7]

The most commonly encountered treatment-emergent adverse reactions are:

• Somnolence (excess sleepiness)/Sedation
• Nausea
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Headache and Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Tachycardia
• Prolonged QT interval
• Drowsiness
• Restlessness
• Confusion
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Increased appetite and weight gain
• Blurred vision
• Urinary retention
• Rash and hypersensitivity reactions

Uncommon yet potentially serious side effects encompass thoughts of suicide and behaviors, as well as sudden onset of acute glaucoma. [1-3]

• Evaluate for comorbid diagnoses: If insomnia continues beyond seven to ten days of use, re-evaluation is recommended.
• Behavioral changes, abnormal thinking, complex behaviors: Hallucinations and "sleep-driving" may occur. Immediate evaluation is necessary for any new onset behavioral alterations.
• Caution in depression: There is a potential for deteriorating suicidal thoughts or depression. Prescribe the minimum efficient dosage to minimize the likelihood of a deliberate overdose.
• CNS depressant effects: The utilization of this medication may hinder motor coordination and alertness. Refrain from participating in unsafe activities, such as using high-weight machinery or driving a vehicle, after consuming the medication.
• Avoid alcohol: Do not use Doxepin concurrently with alcohol. [3]
• Pregnancy: Doxepin is categorized as a pregnancy category C drug, indicating that caution must be exercised when utilizing it in pregnant females. [7]
• Suicide risk: Using Doxepin in patients at risk of intentional overdose or with a known history of suicidal attempts should be avoided, as an overdose can lead to fatal outcomes. Patients prescribed Doxepin, should be closely monitored, given the black box warning indicating a potential increase in suicidality. [2]

(A) Comparison of efficacy between Doxepin and Zolpidem for insomnia

In a clinical investigation involving 120 participants, the impact of administering Doxepin at a dosage of 6 mg/day and Zolpidem at a dosage ranging from 5–10 mg/day orally were examined concerning their influence on sleep composition and cognitive functioning in individuals diagnosed with insomnia disorder. Following the 8-week treatment period, improvements were observed in total sleep time (TST) and wake after sleep onset (WASO) values within the Doxepin group (TST: 378.9 ± 21.9 min, WASO: 80.3 ± 21.4 min) in comparison to the Zolpidem group (TST: 333.2 ± 24.2 min, WASO: 132.9 ± 26.5 min).

The Doxepin group exhibited a longer sleep onset latency (28.2 ± 5.6 min) than the Zolpidem group (20.3 ± 4.7 min). It also displayed higher sleep efficiency (77.8 ± 4.2%) compared to the Zolpidem group (68.6 ± 5.0%). Additionally, the Doxepin group achieved a lower Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score (6.1 ± 1.1) as opposed to the Zolpidem group (7.9 ± 1.9). Nevertheless, a higher incidence of treatment-related adverse events was experienced in the Doxepin group (23.3%) in comparison with the Zolpidem group (13.3%). Hence, both Doxepin and Zolpidem proved efficient in enhancing sleep quality, but their effects varied. Doxepin demonstrated a superior improvement in executive function compared to Zolpidem in individuals diagnosed with insomnia disorder. [8]

(B) Pediatric evaluation of Doxepin effectiveness in insomnia

In another investigation, the effectiveness of Doxepin was examined in 29 insomnia-affected pediatrics (ranging from 2 to 17 years old). The therapy began with a median initial dose of 2 mg and was gradually elevated to a median maintenance dosage of 10 mg. The typical length of follow-up was 6.5 ± 3.5 months. Out of 29 subjects, 4 patients (13.8%) discontinued the usage of Doxepin due to either ineffective results or adverse reactions.

Among the remaining participants, 8 patients (27.6%) exhibited significant improvement in their insomnia, 8 (27.6%) demonstrated moderate improvement, 10 (34.5%) showed mild improvement, and 3 (10.3%) experienced minimal to no enhancement while on Doxepin treatment, as shown in Figure 1:

Adverse effects, specifically behavioral side effects such as aggression and enuresis, were reported in only 2 patients (6.9%). Hence, the findings of this study indicate that administering Doxepin at a low dose is both efficacious and well-tolerated in pediatric patients dealing with insomnia. [9]

(C) Low-dose Doxepin treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

In a study carried out by Zhang M et al, low-dose Doxepin demonstrated positive clinical effectiveness and safety for GAD management. It proved beneficial in alleviating anxiety in patients with GAD and exhibited effects on neuroendocrine systems, as well as metabolic activity related to serum glucose and lipids. Overall, 49 Chinese patients (twenty males and twenty-nine females) with GAD were assigned randomly to receive low-dose Doxepin (6.25 mg–12.5 mg per day).

Following 12 weeks of administering the drug, the mean Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA) exhibited a decrease from 19.50 ± 1.22 to 8.50 ± 3.61 with low-dose Doxepin treatment. Notably, the serum levels of free triiodothyronine  (4.78 ± 0.51 vs 5.15 ± 0.52 pg/mL), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (4.33 ± 2.14 vs 6.12 ± 3.02 pmol/L), total cholesterol (4.55 ± 1.01 vs 5.93 ± 1.66 mmol/L), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) (2.43 ± 0.88 vs 3.76 ± 1.25 mmol/L), fasting blood glucose  (5.06 ± 0.43 vs 5.78 ± 0.81 mmol/L), and triglyceride(1.69 ± 1.51 vs 3.39 ± 2.86 mmol/L) were significantly higher than pre-treatment levels. However, there were no vital differences in body weight (62.00 ± 7.45 vs 64.00 ± 6.44 kg) and body mass index (23.70 ± 2.35 vs 24.48 ± 2.11 kg/m2) after the treatment. [10]

(D) Low-dose Doxepin for relieving comorbid insomnia with anxiety disorders

In a randomized parallel-group trial, 78 individuals with comorbid insomnia and anxiety disorders were randomly allocated into two groups. The first group (39 cases) received Citalopram at a daily dosage of 20 mg, while the second group (39 cases) was administered Doxepin at a dosage ranging from 6.25 to 12.5 mg per day for twelve weeks.

At three assessment time-points of 4, 8, and 12 weekends, it was observed that both Citalopram and Doxepin groups exhibited a reduction in PSQI scores and the six factor scores of PSQI, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Additionally, the anxiety levels in both groups remarkably improved with the observed enhancement in sleep quality (P < 0.05). At the 8th weekend (P < 0.01) and 12th weekend (P < 0.001), the Doxepin group demonstrated a shorter sleep onset latency and enhanced subjective sleep quality compared to the Citalopram group.

Importantly, no profound distinction was witnessed in the occurrence of adverse events between the two arms (P = 0.404). These results suggest that the use of low-dose Doxepin is efficacious in treating patients with co-existing insomnia and anxiety disorders. [11]

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8. Yu Z, Han L, Pan Y, Liu W, Ren L, Xu Y et al. Doxepin is more effective than zolpidem in improving executive function in patients with insomnia disorder. Sleep and Breathing. 2023 Dec 20:1-6.

9. Shah Y, Stringel V, Pavkovic I, Kothare SV. Doxepin in children and adolescents with symptoms of insomnia: a single-center experience. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2020 May 15;16(5):743–7.

10. Zhang M, Huang F, Jiang F, Mai M, Guo X, Zhang Y et al. Clinical efficacy and safety of low-dose doxepin in Chinese patients with generalized anxiety disorder: A before-after study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Oct 21;101(42): e31201.

11. Chang F, Hu X, Duan L, Xu Y, Wu J, Zu H. Study of the Clinical Effect and Safety of the Low-Dose Doxepin in the Treatment of Comorbid Insomnia Patients with Anxiety Disorders. Advances in Clinical Medicine. 2019 Jan 1;09(04):619–29.