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I've taken one sleep med or another every night for about the last 6-7 years, mostly for sleep maintenance insomnia (although sleep induction insomnia has also been an on & off problem throughout my life). About 9 months ago my pdoc switched me to 10 mg doxepin at bedtime (gabapentin was causing brain-deadness). And the doxepin was working well until recently. Since *approximately* the last time I had the rx refilled, but I'm not sure. The weird thing is that some nights it works just fine like I'm used to, and other nights it doesn't work at all. For instance, last night it took 1.5-2.0 hours to get into 4 hours of twilight sleep (which as some of you know isn't really helpful at all). Poop-out? Maybe a mixture of counterfeit & real pills? I've been using Walmart pharmacy (I know, I know, but it's cheap). The difference between "good" nights and "bad" nights is very striking - I've had poop-out with number of psych drugs in the past and it's always been a slow slide, not this strong contrast between it working and not working.

It's the time of year again when I start having trouble sleeping, and I've tried numerous meds for insomnia (and at the same time I have hypersomnia too... go figure...). My insurance doesn't cover Silenor, brand-named doxepin in 3 mg and 6 mg micro-doses, so my pdoc gave me Sinequan (doxepin) 50 mg. I've tried doxepin before, but at 75 mg, which for some stupid reason my insurance treats as tier IV non-preferred brand name, but all the other doses my insurance is like "oh you're cool, that's tier II..." Anyway... So the doxepin 50 mg worked extremely well the first night, and the first night only. After that, I have trouble initiating and maintaining sleep, so I get anywhere from 3-4 hours of fragmented sleep according to my Fitbit. Then I'm tired all day, but I can't really nap because of my stimulant, which is nice because it keeps me going and whatnot, but I don't feel like keeping going because I'm exhausted. So I tried taking two doxepin one night for 100 mg and I actually felt a little stimulated and got about 2 hours of sleep. So I have two questions for those who have taken doxepin: If 50 mg isn't working for sleep, do I need to go lower in dose? Like 25 mg or even 10 mg? Does doxepin actually become stimulating in higher doses like some of the TCAs? Thanks in advance for any input!

So I am in quite a nasty situation. Over 3 months ago I was able to kick my addiction to heroin with therapy and Suboxone. Also, I successfully got my bipolar II under control with Lithium ER 900mg and Seroquel XR 300mg. For the last 6 weeks I am having fragmented sleep. I am able to fall asleep relatively easily only to wakeup after 2hrs. I then go back to sleep and from then on I wake up roughly 5 times a night. I've eliminated all caffeine from diet, I don't smoke cigarettes within 2hrs of bed and I don't watch TV or use any other screen before retiring. My addiction specialist has tried me on trazadone 150mg--did nothing Doxepin 75-150mg--only makes me sleeoy Ambien CR (w/ doxepin)--barely any change. I think it slightly improves the quality of sleep in between waking up. Does anyone have any recommendations for a sleep maintenance medication? I prone to rapid weight gain from AP's and dont want to double up as I am taking quetiapine already. For what it's worth....my sleep hygiene is very good. I've started exercising in the morning before work. I work as a credit analyst and sit in front of a computer from 9 to 5. HOWEVER...my insomnia is causing me to nod off at my desk which is unacceptable. Any tips/ideas/recommendatins are welcome. Mikl_pls I'm looking your way as you are the resident amateur psychopharmacologist. ;-)

I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience with Doxepin for sleep as well as depression/anxiety? I'm currently taking 150-200 mg of Seroquel XR at night, but want to switch to something else with less effect on appetite and possibly with less day-time sedation, too. Less expensive would also be a bonus. I know Doxepin hits histamine receptors first and foremost, and then begins to interact with various norepinephrine, serotonin, and muscarinic receptors. I'm just curious if anyone has noticed an effect on depression or anxiety in addition to sleep benefits; I want something that will be able to replace Seroquel, which for me reduces anxiety and has a moderately positive effect on mood, as well as promotes sleep (a little too well for my liking).

Hi, does anybody know if you can take Insidon/Opipramol with Prozac? Right now I take Prozac with a low dose of doxepin and was thinking of trying the Insidon with the Prozac and dropping the doxepin. What would happen if I took all three at the same time? Would I get the urge to start my own cooking show?