Doxepindosage

A thin film of doxepin hydrochloride cream should be applied four times each day with at least a 3 to 4 hour interval between applications. There are no data to establish the safety and effectiveness of doxepin hydrochloride cream when used for greater than 8 days. Chronic use beyond eight days may result in higher systemic levels and should be avoided. Use of doxepin hydrochloride cream for longer than 8 days may result in an increased likelihood of contact sensitization. The risk for sedation may increase with greater body surface area application of doxepin hydrochloride cream (see WARNINGS ). Clinical experience has shown that drowsiness is significantly more common in patients applying doxepin hydrochloride cream to over 10% of body surface area; therefore, patients with greater than 10% of body surface area (see WARNINGS ) affected should be particularly cautioned concerning possible drowsiness and other systemic adverse effects of doxepin. If excessive drowsiness occurs, it may be necessary to do one or more of the following: reduce the body surface area treated, reduce the number of applications per day, reduce the amount of cream applied, or discontinue the drug. Occlusive dressings may increase the absorption of most topical drugs; therefore, occlusive dressings should not be utilized with doxepin hydrochloride cream.