Doxylamine Succinate, Oral doks-IL-a-meen SUKS-si-nate

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antihistamine; sedative

Generic and brand names: doxylamine succinate, oral; Unisom SleepTabs (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth for a short period of time to help you fall asleep. It contains an antihistamine that causes drowsiness.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Do not take this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval if you have:

• glaucoma
• breathing problems such as asthma or emphysema
• an enlarged prostate gland

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• thyroid problems

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. If your healthcare provider has not given you specific instructions, follow the directions that come with the medicine package. Take the medicine 30 minutes before you go to bed. If you take the medicine during the night, you may be drowsy the next day. Do not take more or take it longer than prescribed. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about anything you do not understand.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: drowsiness, loss of coordination, dry mouth, seizures.

What should I watch out for?

Do not give this medicine to children under 12 years old unless your healthcare provider approves.

Antihistamines are contained in many allergy and cold medicines. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much antihistamine. To prevent overdose while you are taking this medicine, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider before you take any other nonprescription medicine.

If you still have trouble sleeping after taking this medicine for more than 2 weeks, tell your healthcare provider. You may have a medical problem that is causing your sleeping problem.

This medicine causes drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are fully alert.

You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Trouble urinating, fast or irregular heartbeat, seizures.

Other: Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, constipation, blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, loss of appetite.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antianxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), flurazepam, lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam, temazepam (Restoril), and triazolam (Halcion)
• antipsychotic medicines such as haloperidol (Haldol), olanzapine (Zyprexa), pimozide (Orap), risperidone (Risperdal), and ziprasidone (Geodon)
• hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
• muscle relaxants such as baclofen (Lioresal), carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), dantrolene (Dantrium), methocarbamol (Robaxin), and tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• narcotic analgesics (painkillers) such as codeine, fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), meperidine (Demerol), oxycodone (OxyContin), oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet, Tylox), and pentazocine (Talwin)
• natural remedies such as gotu kola, kava, St. John's wort, and valerian
• other antihistamines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), fexofenadine (Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin)
• sleeping pills such as phenobarbital, butabarbital (Butisol), eszopiclone (Lunesta), pentobarbital (Nembutal), secobarbital (Seconal), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor)

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.