What’s Doxylamine Succinate? Uses, Dosage & Side Effects
Doxylamine Succinate is a medication, categorized under anti-histamine. It’s mostly used for treating allergies, common colds,s and fever. It can be found in supplements like vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) to prevent nausea in pregnant women.
What is Doxylamine Succinate for?
Doxylamine Succinate is one of the many sedating anti-histamines used to treat sleeping disorders such as insomnia.
The main function of this medicament is to block various natural substances that the human body produces, such as histamine and acetylcholine. The effect this medication produces helps to relieve symptoms related to cold and allergy, such as watery eyes, sneezing, and runny nose.
Doxylamine Succinate was initially used for treating allergies, but whenever one of its side effects was inducing nausea and sleep, it started to be also sold as a sleeping drug. This strategy is not new, and in fact, it is a common practice of pharmaceutical companies.
How to take Doxylamine Succinate?
This medication is taken by mouth(oral), and with or without food. For a stronger effect, in some patients, it’s recommended to take it with milk in order to avoid stomach aches. You can find Doxylamine Succinate, in pills or tablets, in chewable or liquid form. In any case, you have to follow the indication and not take more than the recommended dose.
As with every medicament that exists, Doxylamine Succinate needs to be consumed under certain conditions, set by a doctor or a pharmacist. This drug belongs to the group of medicines that can be acquired only through a medical prescription!
It’s not recommended for children under the age of 6 years, to treat cold symptoms, unless it is specifically directed by a doctor. On the other hand, children with an age younger than 12 years old are not supposed to consume a dose of 25-milligram tablets, unless the doctor allows it. You have to remember that your dose is based on your age, your medical history, and the proper therapy.
In addition to alcohol, Doxylamine should not be taken with opioid analgesics or other medications that affect the nervous system, such as anti-cholinergic or anti-muscarinic medications, because of the negative interaction that these additives can produce in the body when mixed with Doxylamine Succinate.
If, you are taking any of the medicaments mentioned above you should consult with your doctor before starting to take Doxylamine Succinate. If, you see any allergic reaction in your body or side effects you should stop the treatment and call your doctor.
Many liquid forms of Doxylamine Succinate contain sugar, so if you suffer from diabetes, discuss with your doctor which dosage and consumption method will be safe for you.
In case you have missed one Doxylamine Succinate dose because you forgot it, take the dose missed, as soon as you remember. But, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular treatment.
Important: Under neither circumstance take more than 4 pills in one day, and do not take a double dose to make up for the one that you forgot.
Can you overdose on Doxylamine Succinate?
The required dose of Doxylamine Succinate to induce hypnosis and help to sleep can be as low as 6.25 mg; however, is generally effective at doses up to 25 mg.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not advise higher doses, although recommendations for single doses of up to 50 mg are common in countries like Australia, where it is traded under the names of Restavit and Dozile. It’s safe for adults to consume in low doses, that way the side effects will be controlled. This medicine is not recommended to be consumed for more than 7 days in a row, as it can create a drug addiction.
Overdoses of Doxylamine Succinate have been implicated in the following diseases:
- rhabdomyolysis (causes accelerated muscle and bones)
- failures in the functions of the kidney.
During an overdose, the affected person will have breathing complications, in addition to dizziness and feelings of weakness that can end in possibly passing out! If you are taking this medicine or know someone that is taking it, as soon you note these symptoms please ask for somebody’s help and call the doctor.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms associated with a Doxylamine Succinate overdose:
- large pupils
- flushing
- fever
- hallucinations
- weakness
- shaking (tremor)
- muscle twitching
- loss of consciousness
- seizures.
Note: Children under 12 years old are more sensible to an overdose.
Side Effects
Doxylamine Succinate can affect many other systems of the body, like:
- headache
- dizziness
- blurred vision
- ringing in the ears
- dry mouth, nausea
- constipation
- vomiting
- difficulty urinating
- irregular rhythms of the heart.
It is also possible to experience stimulation of the central nervous system, such as nervousness, irritability, and insomnia.
Also as a common side effect, can be considered having an allergic reaction, since Doxylamine contains inactive ingredients, and that can be allergic to some people. The medical history of the patient must be taken into consideration, like:
- breathing problems (asthma)
- glaucoma
- heart problems
- stomach problems (ulcers, blockage, shallowness)
- urination problems, (trouble urinating, pain at urinating, blood in urine, urinary retention)
in order to determine the future repercussions and side effects that the medication can provoke.
Recommendations
Pregnancy: Pregnant or lactating women should consult a doctor before using Doxylamine Succinate, because infants may have an adverse reaction to the antihistamine.
Driving: Follow the Doxylamine Succinate dose and avoid any activity that requires your total attention, for example driving. Remember that this medicine will reduce your capacity of reaction and that is why is better to avoid driving immediately after taking a pill.
