Drug Detail:Doxepin topical (Doxepin topical [ dox-e-pin-top-i-kal ])
Drug Class: Topical antihistamines
Usual Adult Dose for Atopic Dermatitis
Apply a thin layer to affected area four times a day
Duration of therapy: Up to 8 days
Comments:
- An interval of at least 3 to 4 hours should be left between applications.
- Safety and efficacy of use beyond 8 days has not been established; use beyond 8 days may result in higher systemic levels and increase the likelihood of contact dermatitis.
- Application to greater than 10% body surface area may increase the risk for drowsiness.
Uses: For the short term management of moderate pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis or lichen simplex chronicus
Usual Adult Dose for Dermatitis
Apply a thin layer to affected area four times a day
Duration of therapy: Up to 8 days
Comments:
- An interval of at least 3 to 4 hours should be left between applications.
- Safety and efficacy of use beyond 8 days has not been established; use beyond 8 days may result in higher systemic levels and increase the likelihood of contact dermatitis.
- Application to greater than 10% body surface area may increase the risk for drowsiness.
Uses: For the short term management of moderate pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis or lichen simplex chronicus
Usual Adult Dose for Eczema
Apply a thin layer to affected area four times a day
Duration of therapy: Up to 8 days
Comments:
- An interval of at least 3 to 4 hours should be left between applications.
- Safety and efficacy of use beyond 8 days has not been established; use beyond 8 days may result in higher systemic levels and increase the likelihood of contact dermatitis.
- Application to greater than 10% body surface area may increase the risk for drowsiness.
Uses: For the short term management of moderate pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis or lichen simplex chronicus
Usual Adult Dose for Lichen Simplex Chronicus
Apply a thin layer to affected area four times a day
Duration of therapy: Up to 8 days
Comments:
- An interval of at least 3 to 4 hours should be left between applications.
- Safety and efficacy of use beyond 8 days has not been established; use beyond 8 days may result in higher systemic levels and increase the likelihood of contact dermatitis.
- Application to greater than 10% body surface area may increase the risk for drowsiness.
Uses: For the short term management of moderate pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis or lichen simplex chronicus
Usual Adult Dose for Pruritus
Apply a thin layer to affected area four times a day
Duration of therapy: Up to 8 days
Comments:
- An interval of at least 3 to 4 hours should be left between applications.
- Safety and efficacy of use beyond 8 days has not been established; use beyond 8 days may result in higher systemic levels and increase the likelihood of contact dermatitis.
- Application to greater than 10% body surface area may increase the risk for drowsiness.
Uses: For the short term management of moderate pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis or lichen simplex chronicus
Renal Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Dose Adjustments
Elderly: Lower doses should be considered. There may be an increased risk of drowsiness and over sedation reflective of the increased frequency of concurrent hepatic, renal, or cardiac impairment and increased likelihood of concomitant disease and concomitant drug therapy in the elderly. Systemic doxepin meets the American Geriatrics Society Beers list criteria as a medication that is potentially inappropriate for use in the elderly.
Precautions
Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Administration advice:
- For topical use only; not for ophthalmic, oral, or intravaginal use
- Avoid use of occlusive dressings
Storage requirements:
- Store at or below 27C (80F).
General:
- Clinical studies did not include a sufficient number of patients 65 years or older and it is therefore unknown if they respond differently than younger patients.
- If excessive drowsiness occurs, consider reducing frequency of applications, amount of cream applied, and/or percentage of body surface area treated, or discontinuing therapy.
Patient advice:
- Advise patients of the possibility of drowsiness and to not operate heavy machinery, including driving a motor vehicle while using this drug.