Doxepin and Tiredness: What Users Say

• aqu...
• August 10, 2014

For Insomnia "I started this medication about 10 days ago. Doxepin, 10mg, has been working more days than not. Like most medicines, the first few days it worked like a charm. I took it and I slept about 5.5 hours straight. Sometimes I can go back to sleep for another 1/2 an hour. I do feel a little help in the anxiety category. Not a lot but it does help a bit. The bad thing about this medicine is that you feel very sedated throughout the day. You know you slept because of the vivid dreams and you don't wake up the whole night. Nevertheless, you feel extremely tired the whole day. I wish I didn't have to take medicines. But I'd rather be feeling sleepy and knowing that I slept as opposed to feeling sleepy due to no sleep."

• No ...
• September 24, 2017

For Anxiety "I have been on doxepin for many years for panic attacks. Before this medicine, I stopped going out anywhere. You will be tired for a bit of time, but it goes away. It stopped all panic attacks. Never had one panic attack for 10 years on this medicine. But I stopped to try other meds for a higher mood. But when I stopped doxepin, the panic attacks returned, so 10 years without a panic attack on doxepin is a good thing!"

• Pro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2017

For Insomnia "Doxepin does not help me fall asleep. It does help me stay asleep. I suffer from anxiety and depression, and that's why I can't sleep. To those people who have experienced extreme tiredness the next day, this also happens to me even though I take it as the manufacturer suggests for sleep maintenance, which is to take it on a completely empty stomach 3 hours after a meal. Otherwise, the onset is delayed even further. By several hours, leading to next-day sedation even more. Even when taking it the proper way, it has a 15-hour half-life, which can still leave you tired and groggy the next day, which I also experience even taking it correctly."

• Pro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2017

For Insomnia "Doxepin does not help me fall asleep. It does help me stay asleep. I suffer from anxiety and depression, and that's why I can't sleep. To those people who have experienced extreme tiredness the next day, this also happens to me even though I take it as the manufacturer suggests for sleep maintenance, which is to take it on a completely empty stomach 3 hours after a meal. Otherwise, the onset is delayed even further. By several hours, leading to next-day sedation even more. Even when taking it the proper way, it has a 15-hour half-life, which can still leave you tired and groggy the next day, which I also experience even taking it correctly."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2019

For Anxiety "I started on doxepin 75 mg 15 days ago. I have noticed a decrease in my anxiety, excitability, and obsessive thinking and thoughts. I used to have a problem sleeping. Not anymore!! I am asleep in about 20 minutes, and I stay asleep. I used to be such a light sleeper and never got more than 5 hours of sleep. I used to take Gabapentin for nerve pain. However, I haven’t needed it since taking doxepin. I noticed it also takes my appetite away. Now for the horrible side effects... I have to force myself up. It takes me a few hours to fully be awake. I was in a horrible brain fog for the first 10 days. The first four days I felt like I had the flu. Now I am still dealing with the tiredness. I don’t want to stop it. However, I will if the tiredness doesn’t subside. I am glad I have had no headaches on the medicine, as other meds have given me."

• met...
• September 17, 2016

For Anxiety "This drug was terrible. I would take it at night and fall right to sleep, and when I got up in the morning, I'm completely exhausted and dizzy. My balance is off and I feel like I'm in a daze. I was extremely irritable. The entire day I was depressed and in a very, very bad mood. Everything bothered me. My anxiety was terrible. Tremors in my hands and just feeling kind of loopy. Nightmares when sleeping. This drug did nothing of any benefit for me. I was taking it to help with my social anxiety and panic attacks."

• mil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2017

For Anxiety "I was prescribed Doxepin for anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. I took it last night and slept great, but this AM I could NOT open my eyes, and all day I have been beyond drowsy, even spaced out and exhausted. I took 10 mg at bedtime last night. I am going to try taking it at dinnertime tonight around 7 pm. I am glad I slept great, but I cannot function on this exhaustion. Please tell me these side effects go away. Also, could one pill do all this? Last night was the first time I tried this :-(. Thanks"

• MS4...
• October 29, 2016

Doxepin for Insomnia "Difficulty sleeping through the night. I did sleep the first night, but then most of the next day on Silenor. The second night, tossed and turned, but slept for about 4 hours. Felt drugged the next day. Took the third night, slept off and on. Felt horrible the next day: tired, weak feeling, headache. Also leaves mouth extremely dry. Not going to take Silenor anymore."

• Mae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2019

For Insomnia "I’m not sure, but has anyone taken this and passed out so hard that they don’t even remember falling asleep? I’m on 25 mg and I fall asleep quickly, but I do wake up early no matter what time I wake up. I can admit some days I’m tired throughout the day, but I’ve never had a medication work so well for my sleep issues."

• Kim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2021

For Insomnia "I used to take 300 mg of trazodone for insomnia, but it has stopped helping and started getting less than 2 hours of sleep, so the doctor put me on 10 mg of doxepin, and I have gotten less sleep to almost no sleep on this medication. I'm constantly exhausted. No matter what time I take doxepin, I still don't get any sleep. I'm so frustrated with this insomnia! I've taken so many different insomnia meds, and I can't get a break. I never get more than 2 hours of broken sleep, let alone 7 to 8 hours of solid sleep..."

• Dro...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 8, 2018

For Insomnia "I've tried many different drugs that supposedly cure insomnia: melatonin, Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata, Rozerem, Belsomra, Klonopin, various drugs for Parkinson's that have sleepiness side effects, trazodone, Elavil, ... the list goes on and on. The only drug that has helped has been doxepin. Like the other drugs I took before, my body has gotten used to lower doses, and I've had to increase my dose over time to get the same sleepiness effects, but it hasn't caused the same horrendous withdrawal symptoms as some of the other drugs when I've lowered the dose. The downside? Weight gain, drowsiness to the point of lethargy during the daytime, and a distended middle. Not fun, but then I haven't found a better alternative ..."

• Mic...
• May 31, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I was prescribed 10 mg of Doxepin for IBS-C (on top of the 100 mg of Zoloft I was already taking for depression). This has, for the most part, given me my life back. I'm barely in any pain, and my bowel movements have gone back to a normal schedule with complete evacuation, which is unheard of, considering I tried Linzess with no effect whatsoever. The only downside is I am EXHAUSTED day in and day out and feel like a zombie; so it makes it difficult to get through the day without feeling like I'm going to fall over; but it's way better than living in pain!"

• Ben...
• May 18, 2015

For Insomnia "This made me so tired and drugged feeling I could barely wake up! It was terrible! I hate insomnia, but this was ridiculous! This stuff is not a solution! Unless all you do is sleep. So frustrated! Thought this was the one!"

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2018

For Insomnia "I was fine for a few hours, then things became bad. Severe anxiety attack, I had snake hallucinations, puked a bit, ringing head, very tired, emotionally sunk into a gloomy depression, and bloating with stomach pain the next day, plus instant stomach weight gain. Never again for me."

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2025

"I am on 25 mg of Doxepin, along with Lamictal, Prozac, and clonazepam as needed. This was a recent addition about 3 months ago because I would wake up early with extreme anxiety. While I do fall asleep after about a half hour of taking it at bedtime and stay asleep all night, I wake up tired and groggy most of the next day. I cannot function without having to take a nap a few hours later and feel like I have wasted my day. My psychiatrist says I have tried every alternative, so Doxepin is it. I have also gained weight, which is not good as I have a significant amount to lose."

• sma...
• February 27, 2018

For Insomnia "I've waited a long time to post this review because I really wanted to like this drug and given a fair trial, but I've been on various doses ranging from 3 mg to 50 mg over the last three years, and I have to say that I don't like the drug at all. I've been using it for insomnia, and sometimes it works well, and other times it doesn't work at all. And every time I reach a certain dose that I think is working, after a few weeks or months, I have to raise the dose again. My main complaint about this drug is the side effects. Generally speaking, it has helped to put me to sleep, but at a great price. It makes me dopey, hungover, feel like sleeping all day long; has given me mental confusion, blurred vision, and even on lower doses like 10 mg or 25 mg, it makes me more depressed because it makes me feel low, tired, doped up. I'm trying to get off it. I would recommend it to other people for short-term use."

• Rox...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2021

For Insomnia "I felt tired and sad the next day after 6 mg. I usually love mornings, but doxepin impacted that with me feeling more lethargic and having difficulty getting up. I also felt impatient and aggravation. I threw the pills out this morning after trying them for 3 months intermittently. Onto the next. Going to try more natural approaches."

• Rox...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2021

For Insomnia "I felt tired and sad the next day after 6 mg. I usually love mornings, but doxepin impacted that with me feeling more lethargic and having difficulty getting up. I also felt impatient and aggravation. I threw the pills out this morning after trying them for 3 months intermittently. Onto the next. Going to try more natural approaches."

• Ht1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2018

For Anxiety "I started 10 mg about 3 weeks ago for anxiety. It works but makes me extremely tired! I have two little ones at home and can't function well on it. I suggest taking it at home first to see how you feel. I don't drive when I take it, especially with my children."

• Emj...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2018

For Urticaria "Doxepin is amazing for hives. While waiting for Xolair to work for my urticaria, I was desperate to find some relief from the intense itching every single day, and Benadryl could not keep up with it. I started twice a day, usually 3 pills (25 mg), and could go up or down as needed, as well as other antihistamines. After 6 months on it, I only take 1 at night and am going to switch to (10 mg) Doxepin. I would definitely recommend this drug for urticaria. Side effects were not nice in the beginning, like nausea and extreme tiredness, but I got used to it. I also have gained weight, but it is getting better on lower doses."

• Rae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2020

For Anxiety "Prescribed doxepin 25 mg for anxiety, and I was afraid to take the whole dose. I’ve divided it into 1/2, 2/3, and into 1/4. The 1/4 didn’t make me feel hungover or very tired the next day, but the other doses did. I’m glad I didn’t try the full dose. I do sleep better and don’t have the hangover, dizziness, or feel tired. The lower dose just takes the edge off my anxiety. I’ll give it another week, then decide if it’s for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2021

For Insomnia "I was prescribed doxepin for insomnia, anxiety, and depression. I take two 25 mg every night, it works, you just have to make sure you will get 8 hours of sleep, or you feel tired in the morning. It also has stopped my sneezing and wheezing."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2021

For Insomnia "I have been on doxepin for about a month and a half now. I take it 2-3 hours before I head to bed, and I just lay there. I mentally feel tired, but physically I don’t. Most nights, I don’t go to bed until 6-7 am and sleep until 4 pm. I quit drinking caffeinated drinks about 6 pm, and I’m laying down by 11 pm. Eventually, I toss and turn and look at the phone to see what time it is, and it’s usually 2-3 am. So, I get upset and cry because I’m so tired! Personally, I don’t know what to do! I’ve been on trazodone in the past, and it did nothing for me. I’m running out of options."

• Kti...
• April 15, 2013

Doxepin for Insomnia "I had horrible nightmares and intermittent sleep. Very frustrated. Woke up tired."

• ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2014

Doxepin for Insomnia "It was too sedative, and I always woke up tired the next day. It made my heart feel heavy, and it felt like it was beating slowly."