Doxylamine

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Also indexed as:

Decapryn, Nighttime Sleep Aid, Sleep Aid, Unisom

Combination List

Combination drugs:

• Nyquil
• Nyquil Hot Therapy Powder

Doxylamine is an antihistamine used for short-term treatment of insomnia. Doxylamine is available alone in a nonprescription product for sleep and in combination with nonprescription drugs to treat symptoms of allergy, colds, and upper respiratory infections.

Herbs

Summary of Interactions for Doxylamine

Depletion or interference	None known
Adverse interaction	Henbane*
Side effect reduction/prevention	None known
Supportive interaction	None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability	None known

An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Interactions with Herbs

Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger)

Antihistamines, including doxylamine, can cause "anticholinergic" side effects such as dryness of mouth and heart palpitations. Henbane also has anticholinergic activity and side effects. Therefore, use with doxylamine could increase the risk of anticholinergic side effects;¹ however, apparently no interactions have yet been reported with doxylamine and henbane. Henbane should not be taken except by prescription from a physician trained in its use, as it is extremely toxic.

Other Interactions

Alcohol

Doxylamine causes drowsiness.² Alcohol may intensify this effect and increase the risk of accidental injury.³ To prevent problems, people taking doxylamine or doxylamine-containing products should avoid alcohol.

References

1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council, 1998, 146.
2. Threlkeld DS, ed. Central Nervous System Drugs, Nonprescription Sleep Aids. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Dec 1993, 273e.
3. Threlkeld DS, ed. Central Nervous System Drugs, Nonprescription Sleep Aids. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO, Facts and Comparisons, Dec 1993, 273e.

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Last Review: 01-21-2009

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