What are Doxylamine tablets?
DOXYLAMINE (Unisom® Sleeptabs™) is an antihistamine
commonly used as a nighttime sleep aid. This sleeping
pills is also used to relieve symptoms of hay
fever (allergic rhinitis), hives (rash or
itching), and other allergic reactions. Generic
doxylamine sleeping pills are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before
I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these
conditions:
•asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease
(COPD)
•glaucoma
•high blood pressure or heart disease
•liver disease
•other chronic illness
•prostate trouble
•pain or difficulty passing urine
•ulcers or other stomach problems
•an unusual or allergic reaction to doxylamine,
other medicines foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding
How should this medicine
be used?
Take doxylamine tablets by mouth. Follow the
directions on the label. Take doxylamine with
food or milk if it upsets your stomach. Take
your doses at regular intervals. Do not take
your medicine more often than directed.
If you take doxylamine to help you sleep,
take the dose no more than once per day about
30 minutes before bedtime. If you continue
to have trouble sleeping after 2 weeks of
using doxylamine, contact your health care
provider.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional
regarding the use of this sleeping medicine in children.
Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you
can. If it is almost time for your next dose,
take only that dose. Do not take double or
extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with Doxylamine?
•alcohol
•barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep
or treating seizures (convulsions)
•medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems,
such as diazepam or temazepam
•medicines for hay fever and other allergies
•medicines for mental depression
•medicines for mental problems and psychotic
disturbances
•muscle relaxers
•prescription pain medicines
Tell your prescriber or health care professional
about all other medicines you are taking,
including non-prescription medicines, nutritional
supplements, or herbal products. Also tell
your prescriber or health care professional
if you are a frequent user of drinks with
caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you
use illegal drugs. These may affect the way
your medicine works. Check with your health
care professional before stopping or starting
any of your medicines.
What side effects
may I notice from receiving Doxylamine?
Side effects that you should report to your
prescriber or health care professional as
soon as possible:
•agitation, nervousness, excitability, not
able to sleep (these are more likely in children)
•blurred vision
•dizziness or fainting spells
•irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or chest
pain
•muscle or facial twitches
•pain or difficulty passing urine
•seizures (convulsions)
Side effects that usually do not require medical
attention (report to your prescriber or health
care professional if they continue or are
bothersome):
•drowsiness, dizziness
•dry mouth
•headache
•loss of appetite
•stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
or constipation
What should I watch for
while taking Doxylamine?
You should not take doxylamine to help you
sleep for more than 2 weeks without first
consulting your health care professional.
Tell your prescriber or health care professional
if you are taking doxylamine for cold or allergy
symptoms and there is no improvement in 1
or 2 days, or if you develop a high fever,
have difficulty breathing, or your symptoms
worsen.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive,
use machinery, or do anything that needs mental
alertness until you know how doxylamine affects
you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting
spells, do not stand or sit up quickly, especially
if you are an older patient. Alcohol may increase
dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic
drinks.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless
gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty
of water will help.
Doxylamine may cause dry eyes and blurred
vision. If you wear contact lenses you may
feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may
help. See your ophthalmologist if the problem
does not go away or is severe.
Where can I keep
my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container
that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature, between 15 and
30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Do not
freeze. Protect from light. Throw away any
unused Sleeping medicine after the expiration date. |
