Doxepin (Silenor) 3mg – 30 Tablets

Silenor contains doxepin hydrochloride, a medication used at low doses for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty maintaining sleep. Although doxepin belongs pharmacologically to the tricyclic antidepressant family, the 3mg Silenor formulation is specifically designed for sleep maintenance insomnia rather than antidepressant treatment.

At low doses, doxepin’s sleep promoting effects are believed to occur primarily through antagonism of histamine H1 receptors in the central nervous system. Doxepin has a high affinity for these receptors, reducing histamine mediated wakefulness and helping support more continuous sleep during the night.

This mechanism differs from many traditional sedative hypnotic medications. Rather than acting primarily through GABA receptors, low dose doxepin targets the histamine system involved in maintaining wakefulness, making it particularly useful for patients whose main insomnia symptom is waking repeatedly or having difficulty remaining asleep.

Silenor is available in 3mg and 6mg tablet strengths. Health Canada lists Silenor 3mg as a marketed prescription medication containing doxepin hydrochloride, calculated as 3mg doxepin per tablet.

This product provides:

• Active Ingredient: Doxepin
• Form: Doxepin Hydrochloride
• Strength: 3mg per tablet
• Quantity: 30 Tablets
• Drug Class: Tricyclic Compound / H1 Histamine Receptor Antagonist at low dose
• Primary Indication: Sleep Maintenance Insomnia

The 3mg strength is an established Silenor dose and is also the recommended initial dose listed for elderly patients, while some other adults may also be prescribed 3mg when clinically appropriate. Treatment should be individualized by a healthcare professional.

Common adverse effects associated with low dose Silenor include sleepiness or sedation, nausea, and upper respiratory tract symptoms. Because doxepin can impair alertness and coordination, patients should be aware of possible next day impairment and should avoid hazardous activities if they remain drowsy.

Alcohol and other central nervous system depressants can increase the sedating effects of doxepin and should not be combined without appropriate medical guidance. Silenor is also contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), those who have recently used an MAOI, and individuals with untreated narrow angle glaucoma or severe urinary retention.

Doxepin 3mg is a prescription medication and should be used according to the directions of a qualified healthcare professional.