DOXEPIN

82/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Actavis Pharma, Inc.

Doxepin Adverse Events: High Concern for Suicide and Toxicity

22,514 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About DOXEPIN

DOXEPIN is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Actavis Pharma, Inc.. Based on analysis of 22,514 FDA adverse event reports, DOXEPIN has a safety score of 82 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for DOXEPIN include TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS, DRUG INEFFECTIVE, COMPLETED SUICIDE, FATIGUE, NAUSEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for DOXEPIN.

AI Safety Analysis

Doxepin has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 22,514 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Actavis Pharma, Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Toxicity To Various Agents, Drug Ineffective, Completed Suicide. Of classified reports, 71.3% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Serious adverse events, particularly suicide and toxicity, are prevalent.

A high number of reports involve drug ineffectiveness and various physical symptoms. The data shows a significant number of serious events, including death and respiratory depression.

Patients taking Doxepin should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Doxepin can interact with other drugs, potentially leading to adverse effects. Patients should avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 82/100

Doxepin received a safety concern score of 82/100 (high concern). This is based on a 71.3% serious event ratio across 9,777 classified reports. The score accounts for 22,514 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS801 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE707 reports
COMPLETED SUICIDE613 reports
FATIGUE599 reports
NAUSEA558 reports
PAIN527 reports
HEADACHE482 reports
PRURITUS468 reports
OFF LABEL USE449 reports
DIARRHOEA432 reports
DYSPNOEA418 reports
INSOMNIA418 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE408 reports
DIZZINESS405 reports
ANXIETY400 reports
DEPRESSION391 reports
FALL383 reports
URTICARIA366 reports
DEATH364 reports
DRUG INTERACTION329 reports
VOMITING312 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED307 reports
MALAISE301 reports
ASTHENIA296 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY293 reports
ARTHRALGIA289 reports
RENAL FAILURE271 reports
SOMNOLENCE268 reports
RASH267 reports
DRUG ABUSE253 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY250 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED246 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL237 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED230 reports
HYPERTENSION229 reports
PNEUMONIA225 reports
BACK PAIN221 reports
OVERDOSE213 reports
CONSTIPATION208 reports
COUGH198 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED189 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS189 reports
SUICIDAL IDEATION184 reports
PYREXIA180 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER179 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE178 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION172 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN170 reports
TREMOR168 reports
DECREASED APPETITE159 reports
ERYTHEMA159 reports
CARDIO RESPIRATORY ARREST156 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING154 reports
HYPOTENSION153 reports
SLEEP DISORDER149 reports
STRESS148 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION145 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE143 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT141 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE140 reports
ALOPECIA138 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS138 reports
SUICIDE ATTEMPT138 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY135 reports
INJECTION SITE PAIN131 reports
SINUSITIS130 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS129 reports
MYALGIA129 reports
MIGRAINE128 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT127 reports
ANAEMIA127 reports
CHEST PAIN124 reports
INTENTIONAL OVERDOSE123 reports
RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION123 reports
DRY MOUTH120 reports
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE120 reports
SEIZURE119 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA118 reports
DEPRESSED LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS117 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS117 reports
SYNCOPE115 reports
DRUG DOSE OMISSION114 reports
TACHYCARDIA114 reports
DYSPEPSIA113 reports
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS111 reports
INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION111 reports
DRUG DEPENDENCE109 reports
PARAESTHESIA107 reports
BRONCHITIS105 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY105 reports
DEHYDRATION104 reports
HEART RATE INCREASED104 reports
CARDIAC ARREST100 reports
INFECTION100 reports
OSTEOARTHRITIS99 reports
WRONG TECHNIQUE IN PRODUCT USAGE PROCESS99 reports
INCORRECT DOSE ADMINISTERED98 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL97 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION96 reports
ASTHMA94 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Multiple reports of completed suicide and suicidal ideation.
  • High incidence of toxicity and drug ineffectiveness.
  • Significant number of serious events, including death and respiratory depression.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 6,137, Male: 2,822, Unknown: 38. The most frequently reported age groups are age 53 (170 reports), age 59 (169 reports), age 58 (167 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 9,777 classified reports for DOXEPIN:

  • Serious: 6,967 reports (71.3%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 2,810 reports (28.7%)
Serious 71.3%Non-Serious 28.7%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female6,137 (68.2%)
Male2,822 (31.4%)
Unknown38 (0.4%)

Reports by Age

Age 53170 reports
Age 59169 reports
Age 58167 reports
Age 52160 reports
Age 63159 reports
Age 47158 reports
Age 44155 reports
Age 62155 reports
Age 66155 reports
Age 55154 reports
Age 54149 reports
Age 57146 reports
Age 60145 reports
Age 61142 reports
Age 42141 reports
Age 50141 reports
Age 56140 reports
Age 43138 reports
Age 51137 reports
Age 45132 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Doxepin can interact with other drugs, potentially leading to adverse effects. Patients should avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Doxepin, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include toxicity to various agents, drug ineffective, completed suicide, fatigue, nausea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Consult your healthcare provider if you experience any unusual symptoms or side effects. Do not stop taking doxepin abruptly without consulting your doctor. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA continues to monitor doxepin for safety. Patients should report any adverse events to their healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Doxepin?

The FDA has received approximately 22,514 adverse event reports associated with Doxepin. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Doxepin?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Doxepin include Toxicity To Various Agents, Drug Ineffective, Completed Suicide, Fatigue, Nausea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Toxicity To Various Agents (801 reports), Drug Ineffective (707 reports), Completed Suicide (613 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Doxepin.

What percentage of Doxepin adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 9,777 classified reports, 6,967 (71.3%) were classified as serious and 2,810 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Doxepin (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Doxepin break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 6,137, Male: 2,822, Unknown: 38. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Doxepin?

The most frequently reported age groups for Doxepin adverse events are: age 53: 170 reports, age 59: 169 reports, age 58: 167 reports, age 52: 160 reports, age 63: 159 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Doxepin?

The primary manufacturer associated with Doxepin adverse event reports is Actavis Pharma, Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Doxepin?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Doxepin include: Pain, Headache, Pruritus, Off Label Use, Diarrhoea. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Doxepin?

You can report adverse events from Doxepin to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Doxepin's safety score and what does it mean?

Doxepin has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Serious adverse events, particularly suicide and toxicity, are prevalent.

What are the key safety signals for Doxepin?

Key safety signals identified in Doxepin's adverse event data include: Multiple reports of completed suicide and suicidal ideation.. High incidence of toxicity and drug ineffectiveness.. Significant number of serious events, including death and respiratory depression.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Doxepin interact with other drugs?

Doxepin can interact with other drugs, potentially leading to adverse effects. Patients should avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Doxepin.

What should patients know before taking Doxepin?

Consult your healthcare provider if you experience any unusual symptoms or side effects. Do not stop taking doxepin abruptly without consulting your doctor.

Are Doxepin side effects well-documented?

Doxepin has 22,514 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. A high number of reports involve drug ineffectiveness and various physical symptoms. The volume of reports for Doxepin reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Doxepin?

The FDA continues to monitor doxepin for safety. Patients should report any adverse events to their healthcare provider. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to DOXEPIN based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

AlcoholOther CNS DepressantsAntidepressants
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.