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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Will Taking Doxepin Be Safe For Chronic Insomnia?

Hi, I recently started Doxepin for chronic insomnia. I was ok on 10mg and then 20mg although not much help with sleep. I then increased to 25 mg and slept well the first night on it but the second night I developed missed heart beats which kept me awake and lasted 2-3 hours. Probably getting ectopics every 7th beat or so. Quite worrying as I am otherwise fit. I lowered the dose to 20mg for a few days and was ok and tried again 25mg with exactly the same outcome on the second night. Only have coffee in the mornings and take doxepin 2 hours before bed. I don t feel it s safe to take 25mg but that is the only dose that helps me sleep and have tried many other drugs. Not on anything else. Is it safe to try Doxepin again or do I need to get a 24hr ECG Mike
Mon, 23 Jun 2014
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Dear Mike,
Thanks for using health care magic.

From the available description it appears that you are suffering from chronic insomnia.
Although use of doxepin is safe in majority of individuals in the doses you are taking but development of ectopic beats or missing a beat is not a good indicator.

Other than this it appears to me that you are not aware of how to take doxepin. For your information it should be taken about 30 minutes before going to sleep and at leat three hours after your meal.
At this stage you need to check with your doctor to have ECG monitoring to rule out any other cardiac ailment.

'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help".
Thanks
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Will Taking Doxepin Be Safe For Chronic Insomnia?

Dear Mike, Thanks for using health care magic. From the available description it appears that you are suffering from chronic insomnia. Although use of doxepin is safe in majority of individuals in the doses you are taking but development of ectopic beats or missing a beat is not a good indicator. Other than this it appears to me that you are not aware of how to take doxepin. For your information it should be taken about 30 minutes before going to sleep and at leat three hours after your meal. At this stage you need to check with your doctor to have ECG monitoring to rule out any other cardiac ailment. Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help . Thanks