Silenor

Uses of  Silenor

Silenor is a tricyclic antidepressant.

Silenor tablets are used to treat insomnia in people who have trouble staying asleep.

This medication guide provides information about the Silenor brand of doxepin used to treat insomnia. Sinequan and other generic brands of doxepin used to treat depression or anxiety are not covered in this medication guide. Silenor tablets are not for use in treating depression.

Precautions and Warnings

You should not use Silenor if you have untreated narrow-angle glaucoma or severe problems with urination.

Do not use doxepin if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Tell your doctor if you have used an “SSRI” antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine , fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, trazodone, or vilazodone.

To make sure Silenor is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep);
• depression, mental illness, or addiction to drugs or alcohol;
• kidney or liver disease;
• glaucoma; or
• urination problems.

Ask your doctor about taking Silenor if you are pregnant. Taking an antidepressant during late pregnancy may cause medical problems in the baby. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Do not start or stop taking this medicine without your doctor’s advice.

This medicine may affect fertility (your ability to have children), whether you are a man or a woman.

You should not breastfeed while using Silenor.

Silenor is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Dosage

Take Silenor exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Take this medicine within 30 minutes before bedtime. Do not take within 3 hours after eating.

It may take 7 to 10 days before your insomnia symptoms improve. Keep using as directed and call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 10 days of treatment.

Side Effects

Common side effects:

• drowsiness, tiredness;
• nausea; or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.