Drug interactions
Clemastine + Doxepin
Severity: Moderate
Clemastine and Doxepin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant with strong antihistaminic and anticholinergic properties. Adding clemastine increases sedation and anticholinergic burden, which may cause confusion, dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation and blurred vision, particularly in older adults.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clemastine and Doxepin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Clemastine belongs to Respiratory; Doxepin belongs to Dermatology.
Why it happens
Additive central depressant, histamine H1 blocking and antimuscarinic effects.
What to do
Monitor for excessive sedation and anticholinergic toxicity, and consider a non-sedating antihistamine. Reduce doses in elderly patients.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Clemastine
Other interactions of Doxepin
- Doxepin + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clemastine with Doxepin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clemastine and Doxepin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant with strong antihistaminic and anticholinergic properties. Adding clemastine increases sedation and anticholinergic burden, which may cause confusion, dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation and blurred vision, particularly in older adults.
How serious is the interaction between Clemastine and Doxepin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for excessive sedation and anticholinergic toxicity, and consider a non-sedating antihistamine. Reduce doses in elderly patients.
What other medicines interact with Clemastine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Clemastine with, for example, Alfentanil, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen, Buprenorphine buccal. The full list is on the Clemastine page.
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