Silenor Withdrawal & Detox

Silenor, also known by its generic name doxepin, is a medication prescribed to patients with mood or mental problems such as depression and anxiety. Specifically, doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant which is effective by balancing neurotransmitters in the brain.

Many patients benefit from Silenor by experiencing an improved mood and feelings of well-being, relief from anxiety and tension, better sleep and increased energy levels.

Common side effects of doxepin include drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation and trouble urinating. More serious side effects of taking Silenor are intense heartburn, agitation, confusion, anxiety, shaking and severe abdominal pain. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any serious side effects or if common side effects persist.

In extremely rare cases, some patients may experience severe dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting, seizures, eye pain or swelling, widened pupils and vision changes. In these cases, get medical help immediately.

If you would like to quit taking doxepin for any reason, set up a meeting with your doctor. Do not stop your Silenor treatment cold turkey, as abruptly stopping your doxepin treatment can induce intensified withdrawal symptoms. After talking to your doctor, they will most likely prescribe you lower dosages over time to gradually get you off doxepin.

Common Silenor withdrawal symptoms are aggression, anxiety, blurred vision, constipation, crying spells, depersonalization, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, indigestion, irritability, insomnia, headaches, nausea, nervousness, stomach cramps, vivid dreams and depression.

Every patient experiences a different withdrawal timeline when coming off doxepin. This is due to each patient’s unique physiology as well as differences in the dosage amounts patients receive and how long they take the medication. For instance, a patient who was on a high dosage of Silenor for several years will most likely experience a longer duration of doxepin withdrawal symptoms than another patient who took a low dose of the medication for only a few short months.

If you are having trouble managing doxepin withdrawal symptoms, it may be necessary to enter a medically assisted detoxification program. In this type of program, medical professionals can help you cope with and understand the Silenor withdrawal symptoms you may be experiencing.

It is important to keep an up-to-date list of all the medications you are currently taking, as doxepin may interact with prescription drugs or even herbal products you are ingesting. Share your list with your doctor to make sure you are avoiding certain medications that interact with Silenor such as arbutamine, thyroid supplements, anticholinergic medications and central-acting drugs to treat high blood pressure.

Avoid taking MAO inhibitors while using Silenor, as interactions may cause serious and possibly fatal effects. Specifically avoid MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline and tranylcypromine while taking Silenor.

Certain medications may affect the removal of doxepin from your body and affect how the medication should work. These include cimetidine, St. John’s Wort, terbinafine, drugs to treat irregular heart rate and SSRI antidepressants.

Some medications such as amiodarone, cisapride, dofetilide, pimozide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol and macrolide antibiotics may affect your heart rhythm while you are taking Silenor. Let your doctor know if you are using any of these medications. Also, make sure your doctor is aware if you are also ingesting products that cause drowsiness such as pain relievers, alcohol, cannabis, sleep drugs and muscle relaxants.

Choosing a Silenor center that’s right for you is an important step on the road to recovery. Set up a meeting with your doctor to discuss what kind of doxepin center is right for you based on your dosage history and how long you have been taking Silenor. Finding a Silenor center to match your needs will help ensure you live a happy, doxepin-free life.

If you or someone you know is struggling with doxepin addiction or another substance use disorder, seek help immediately. The Recovery Village has several resources available for those looking to recover from their substance use disorder. Finding help for your substance use disorder today can help in beginning the road to a healthy, life-long recovery.