Drug interactions
Diphenoxylate-atropine + Doxepin
Severity: Moderate
Diphenoxylate-atropine 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 sedating tricyclic antidepressant with strong anticholinergic activity. With diphenoxylate-atropine, sedation and anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, and confusion may be additive, with a risk of ileus or tachycardia in susceptible patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diphenoxylate-atropine 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.
Diphenoxylate-atropine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Doxepin belongs to Dermatology.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and additive antimuscarinic activity.
What to do
Monitor for excessive sedation, urinary retention, and constipation, especially in elderly patients. Use the lowest effective doses and avoid prolonged combined use.
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 Diphenoxylate-atropine
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
- Alvimopan + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
- Amitriptyline + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
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 Diphenoxylate-atropine with Doxepin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diphenoxylate-atropine 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 sedating tricyclic antidepressant with strong anticholinergic activity. With diphenoxylate-atropine, sedation and anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, and confusion may be additive, with a risk of ileus or tachycardia in susceptible patients.
How serious is the interaction between Diphenoxylate-atropine 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, urinary retention, and constipation, especially in elderly patients. Use the lowest effective doses and avoid prolonged combined use.
What other medicines interact with Diphenoxylate-atropine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diphenoxylate-atropine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine. The full list is on the Diphenoxylate-atropine page.
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