Doxepin Hydrochloride, Topical

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antipruritic (anti-itch)

Generic and brand names: doxepin hydrochloride, topical; Zonalon

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is a skin cream used to treat itching that occurs with a skin condition called eczematous dermatitis.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• glaucoma
• urinary retention (trouble urinating)

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while using this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Apply the cream exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Apply a thin layer of cream to the affected areas of the skin. Keep the medicine away from your eyes and mouth. Do not apply the cream more often than directed. Using the cream too often or using too much may increase the chances of side effects. Do not use a bandage that seals a wound (such as OpSite) on the areas where you apply the cream, because you may absorb too much of this medicine and increase the chances of side effects.

Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve in 7 days or if it gets worse. Do not use this medicine for more than 8 days.

What if I overdose?

An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert. If this medicine causes severe drowsiness, contact your healthcare provider.

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe drowsiness, increased irritation of the treated skin.

Other: Headache, fatigue, dizziness, mild stinging or burning of the skin where the cream is applied, itching, dry skin, tingling, scaling, cracking of skin, dry mouth.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• alcohol
• amprenavir (Agenerase)
• antiarrhythmic medicines such as flecainide (Tambocor), procainamide (Pronestyl), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine, and disopyramide (Norpace)
• antibiotics such as erythromycin (Ery Tabs, E.E.S.), clarithromycin (Biaxin), azithromycin (Zithromax), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), gatifloxacin (Tequin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), telithromycin (Ketek), and linezolid (Zyvox)
• antidepressants such as sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), venlafaxine (Effexor), fluvoxamine (Luvox), duloxetine (Cymbalta), amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), trazodone (Desyrel), desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane), and bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
• antifungal medicines such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral), and fluconazole (Diflucan)
• antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), loratadine (Claritin), and fexofenadine (Allegra)
• antipsychotic medicines such as haloperidol (Haldol), risperidone (Risperdal), olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), and ziprasidone (Geodon)
• antiseizure medicines such as valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene), phenytoin (Dilantin), and carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol)
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital and butabarbital (Butisol)
• medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• chloroquine (Aralen)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• clonidine (Catapres)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine), promazine (Sparine), thioridazine, and trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
• sedatives such as flurazepam (Dalmane) and temazepam (Restoril)
• tramadol (Ultram)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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Published by RelayHealth.
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