Doxepin Hydrochloride Cream
FDA Label NDC 51672-1404

FOR TOPICAL DERMATOLOGIC USE ONLY 
NOT FOR OPHTHALMIC, ORAL, OR INTRAVAGINAL USE.

Rx Only

Mfd. by: Taro Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Brampton, Ontario, Canada L6T 1C1

Dist. by: Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.

Hawthorne, NY 10532

Issued: February 2022

5216909 32

Doxepin hydrochloride cream, 5% is a topical cream. Each gram contains: 50 mg of doxepin hydrochloride (equivalent to 44.3 mg of doxepin).

Doxepin hydrochloride, USP is one of a class of agents known as dibenzoxepin tricyclic antidepressant compounds. It is an isomeric mixture of N,N-dimethyldibenz[b,e]oxepin-Δ11(6H),γ-propylamine hydrochloride. Doxepin hydrochloride has a molecular formula of C ₁₉H ₂₁NO∙HCl and a molecular weight of 316.

Chemical Structure (Doxepin 01)

Doxepin hydrochloride cream, 5% also contains benzyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, isopropyl myristate, PEG-100 stearate, purified water, sorbitol solution (70%), titanium dioxide and white petrolatum.

Although doxepin hydrochloride does have H ₁ and H ₂ histamine receptor blocking actions, the exact mechanism by which doxepin exerts its antipruritic effect is unknown. Doxepin hydrochloride cream can produce drowsiness which may reduce awareness, including awareness of pruritic symptoms. In 19 pruritic eczema patients treated with doxepin hydrochloride cream, plasma doxepin concentrations ranged from nondetectable to 47 ng/mL from percutaneous absorption. Plasma levels from topical application of doxepin hydrochloride cream can result in CNS and other systemic side effects.

Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, doxepin undergoes hepatic metabolism that results in conversion to pharmacologically-active desmethyldoxepin. Further glucuronidation results in urinary excretion of the parent drug and its metabolites. Desmethyldoxepin has a half-life that ranges from 28 to 52 hours and is not affected by multiple dosing. Plasma levels of both doxepin and desmethyldoxepin are highly variable and are poorly correlated with dosage. Wide distribution occurs in body tissues including lungs, heart, brain, and liver. Renal disease, genetic factors, age, and other medications affect the metabolism and subsequent elimination of doxepin. (See PRECAUTIONS - Drug Interactions.)

Doxepin hydrochloride cream, 5% is indicated for the short-term (up to 8 days) management of moderate pruritus in adult patients with atopic dermatitis or lichen simplex chronicus. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.)

Because doxepin hydrochloride has an anticholinergic effect and because significant plasma levels of doxepin are detectable after topical doxepin hydrochloride cream application, the use of doxepin hydrochloride cream is contraindicated in patients with untreated narrow angle glaucoma or a tendency to urinary retention. Doxepin hydrochloride cream is contraindicated in individuals who have shown previous sensitivity to any of its components.

Drowsiness occurs in over 20% of patients treated with doxepin hydrochloride cream, especially in patients receiving treatment to greater than 10% of their body surface area. Patients should be warned about the possibility of sedation and cautioned against driving a motor vehicle or operating hazardous machinery while being treated with doxepin hydrochloride cream.

The sedating effects of alcoholic beverages, antihistamines, and other CNS depressants may be potentiated when doxepin hydrochloride cream is used.

If excessive drowsiness occurs it may be necessary to reduce the frequency of applications, the amount of cream applied, and/or the percentage of body surface area treated, or discontinue the drug. However, the efficacy with reduced frequency of applications has not been established.

Keep this product away from the eyes.

Since drowsiness may occur with the use of doxepin hydrochloride cream, patients should be warned of the possibility and cautioned against driving a car or operating dangerous machinery while using this drug. Patients should also be cautioned that their response to alcohol may be potentiated.

Sedating drugs may cause confusion and oversedation in the elderly; elderly patients generally should be observed closely for confusion and oversedation when started on doxepin hydrochloride cream. (See PRECAUTIONS - Geriatric Use.)

Occlusive dressings may increase the absorption of most topical drugs; therefore, occlusive dressings should not be utilized with doxepin hydrochloride cream.

Use of doxepin hydrochloride cream can cause Type IV hypersensitivity reactions (contact sensitization) to doxepin.

Studies have not been performed examining drug interactions with doxepin hydrochloride cream. However, since plasma levels of doxepin following topical application of doxepin hydrochloride cream can reach levels obtained with oral doxepin hydrochloride therapy, the following drug interactions are possible following topical doxepin hydrochloride cream application:

The biochemical activity of the drug metabolizing isozyme cytochrome P450 2D6 (debrisoquin hydroxylase) is reduced in a subset of the Caucasian population (about 7% to 10% of Caucasians are so-called "poor metabolizers"); reliable estimates of the prevalence of reduced P450 2D6 isozyme activity among Asian, African and other populations are not yet available. Poor metabolizers have higher than expected plasma concentrations of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) when given usual doses. Depending on the fraction of drug metabolized by P450 2D6, the increase in plasma concentration may be small, or quite large (8-fold increase in plasma AUC of the TCA).

In addition, certain drugs inhibit the activity of this isozyme and make normal metabolizers resemble poor metabolizers. An individual who is stable on a given dosage regimen of a TCA may become abruptly toxic when given one of these inhibiting drugs as concomitant therapy. The drugs that inhibit cytochrome P450 2D6 include some that are not metabolized by the enzyme (quinidine; cimetidine) and many that are substrates for P450 2D6 (many other antidepressants, phenothiazines, and the Type 1C antiarrhythmics propafenone and flecainide). While all the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine, inhibit P450 2D6, they may vary in the extent of inhibition. The extent to which SSRI-TCA interactions may pose clinical problems will depend on the degree of inhibition and the pharmacokinetics of the SSRI involved. Nevertheless, caution is indicated in the coadministration of TCAs with any of the SSRIs. Of particular importance, sufficient time must elapse before initiating TCA treatment in a patient being withdrawn from fluoxetine, given the long half-life of the parent and active metabolite (at least 5 weeks may be necessary).

Concomitant use of tricyclic antidepressants with drugs that can inhibit cytochrome P450 2D6 may require lower doses than usually prescribed for either the tricyclic antidepressant or the other drug. It is desirable to monitor TCA plasma levels whenever a TCA is going to be co-administered with another drug known to be an inhibitor of P450 2D6.

Serious side effects and even death have been reported following the concomitant use of certain drugs with MAO inhibitors. Therefore, MAO inhibitors should be discontinued at least two weeks prior to the cautious initiation of therapy with doxepin hydrochloride cream. The exact length of time may vary and is dependent upon the particular MAO inhibitor being used, the length of time it has been administered, and the dosage involved.

Serious anticholinergic symptoms (i.e., severe dry mouth, urinary retention and blurred vision) have been associated with elevations in the serum levels of tricyclic antidepressants when cimetidine therapy is initiated. Additionally, higher than expected tricyclic antidepressant levels have been observed when they are begun in patients already taking cimetidine.

Alcohol ingestion may exacerbate the potential sedative effects of doxepin hydrochloride cream. This is especially important in patients who may use alcohol excessively.

A case of severe hypoglycemia has been reported in a type II diabetic patient maintained on tolazamide (1 gm/day) 11 days after the addition of oral doxepin (75 mg/day).

Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, and impairment of fertility studies have not been conducted with doxepin hydrochloride.

Reproduction studies have been performed in which doxepin was orally administered to rats and rabbits at doses up to 0.6 and 1.2 times, respectively, the estimated exposure to doxepin that results from use of 16 grams of doxepin hydrochloride cream per day (four applications of four grams of cream per day; dose multiples reflect comparisons made following normalization of the data on the basis of body surface area estimates) and have revealed no evidence of harm to rat or rabbit fetuses due to doxepin. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Doxepin is excreted in human milk after oral administration. It is possible that doxepin may also be excreted in human milk following topical application of doxepin hydrochloride cream.

One case has been reported of apnea and drowsiness in a nursing infant whose mother was taking an oral dosage form of doxepin hydrochloride.

Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from doxepin, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

The use of doxepin hydrochloride cream in pediatric patients is not recommended. Safe conditions for use of doxepin hydrochloride cream in children have not been established. One case has been reported of a 2.5-year-old child who developed somnolence, grand mal seizure, respiratory depression, ECG abnormalities, and coma after treatment with doxepin hydrochloride cream. A total of 27 grams had been applied over three days for eczema. He was treated with supportive care, activated charcoal, and systemic alkalization and recovered.

Clinical studies of doxepin hydrochloride cream did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

The extent of renal excretion of doxepin has not been determined. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selections.

Sedating drugs may cause confusion and oversedation in the elderly; elderly patients generally should be observed closely for confusion and oversedation when started on doxepin hydrochloride cream. (See WARNINGS.) An 80-year-old male nursing home patient developed probable systemic anticholinergic toxicity which included urinary retention and delirium after doxepin hydrochloride cream had been applied to his arms, legs and back three times daily for two days.

In controlled clinical trials of patients treated with doxepin hydrochloride cream, the most common systemic adverse event reported was drowsiness. Drowsiness occurred in 71 of 330 (22%) of patients treated with doxepin hydrochloride cream compared to 7 of 334 (2%) of patients treated with vehicle cream. Drowsiness resulted in the premature discontinuation of the drug in approximately 5% of patients treated with doxepin hydrochloride cream in controlled clinical trials.

In controlled clinical trials of patients treated with doxepin hydrochloride cream, the most common local site adverse event reported was burning and/or stinging at the site of application. These occurred in 76 of 330 (23%) of patients treated with doxepin hydrochloride cream compared to 54 of 334 (16%) of patients treated with vehicle cream. Most of these reactions were categorized as "mild"; however, approximately 25% of patients who reported burning and/or stinging reported the reaction as "severe". Four patients treated with doxepin hydrochloride cream withdrew from the study because of the burning and/or stinging.

The table below presents the adverse events reported at an incidence of ≥ 1% in either doxepin hydrochloride cream or vehicle cream treatment groups during the trials:

Adverse events occurring in 0.5% to <1.0% of doxepin hydrochloride cream treated patients in the controlled clinical trials included: nervousness/anxiety, tongue numbness, fever, and nausea.

Twenty-six cases of allergic contact dermatitis have been reported in patients using doxepin hydrochloride cream, twenty of which were documented by positive patch test to doxepin 5% cream.

Deaths may occur from overdosage with this class of drugs. As the management is complex and changing, it is recommended that the physician contact a poison control center for current information on treatment. Signs and symptoms of toxicity develop rapidly after tricyclic antidepressant overdose; therefore, hospital monitoring is required as soon as possible.

Should overdosage with topical application of doxepin hydrochloride cream occur, the signs and symptoms may include: cardiac dysrhythmias, severe hypotension, convulsions, and CNS depression, including coma. Changes in the electrocardiogram, particularly in QRS axis or width, are clinically significant indicators of tricyclic antidepressant toxicity.

Other signs of overdose may include: confusion, disturbed concentration, transient visual hallucinations, dilated pupils, agitation, hyperactive reflexes, stupor, drowsiness, muscle rigidity, vomiting, hypothermia, hyperpyrexia, or any of the symptoms listed under ADVERSE REACTIONS.

Obtain an ECG and immediately initiate cardiac monitoring. Protect the patient's airway, establish an intravenous line and initiate gastric decontamination. A minimum of six hours of observation with cardiac monitoring and observation for signs of CNS or respiratory depression, hypotension, cardiac dysrhythmias and/or conduction blocks, and seizures is strongly advised. If signs of toxicity occur at any time during this period, extended monitoring is recommended. There are case reports of patients succumbing to fatal dysrhythmias late after overdose; these patients had clinical evidence of significant poisoning prior to death and most received inadequate gastrointestinal decontamination. Monitoring of plasma drug levels should not guide management of the patient.

A maximal limb-lead QRS duration of ≥ 0.10 seconds may be the best indication of the severity of the overdose. Intravenous sodium bicarbonate should be used to maintain the serum pH in the range of 7.45 to 7.55. If the pH response is inadequate, hyperventilation may also be used. Concomitant use of hyperventilation and sodium bicarbonate should be done with extreme caution, with frequent pH monitoring. A pH >7.60 or a pCO ₂< 20 mm Hg is undesirable. Dysrhythmias unresponsive to sodium bicarbonate therapy/hyperventilation may respond to lidocaine, bretylium or phenytoin. Type 1A and 1C antiarrhythmics are generally contraindicated (e.g., quinidine, disopyramide, and procainamide).

In rare instances, hemoperfusion may be beneficial in acute refractory cardiovascular instability in patients with acute toxicity. However, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, exchange transfusions, and forced diuresis generally have been reported as ineffective in tricyclic antidepressant poisoning.

In patients with CNS depression, early intubation is advised because of the potential for abrupt deterioration. Seizures should be controlled with benzodiazepines, or if these are ineffective, other anticonvulsants (e.g., phenobarbital, phenytoin). Physostigmine is not recommended except to treat life-threatening symptoms that have been unresponsive to other therapies, and then only in consultation with a poison control center.

The principles of management of child and adult overdosages are similar. It is strongly recommended that the physician contact the local poison control center for specific pediatric treatment.

A thin film of doxepin hydrochloride cream should be applied four times each day with at least a 3 to 4 hour interval between applications. There are no data to establish the safety and effectiveness of doxepin hydrochloride cream when used for greater than 8 days. Chronic use beyond eight days may result in higher systemic levels and should be avoided. Use of doxepin hydrochloride cream for longer than 8 days may result in an increased likelihood of contact sensitization.

The risk for sedation may increase with greater body surface area application of doxepin hydrochloride cream. (See WARNINGS section.) Clinical experience has shown that drowsiness is significantly more common in patients applying doxepin hydrochloride cream to over 10% of body surface area; therefore, patients with greater than 10% of body surface area (see WARNINGS section) affected should be particularly cautioned concerning possible drowsiness and other systemic adverse effects of doxepin. If excessive drowsiness occurs, it may be necessary to do one or more of the following: reduce the body surface area treated, reduce the number of applications per day, reduce the amount of cream applied, or discontinue the drug.

Occlusive dressings may increase the absorption of most topical drugs; therefore, occlusive dressings should not be utilized with doxepin hydrochloride cream.

Doxepin hydrochloride cream, 5% is available containing 50 mg of doxepin hydrochloride, USP equivalent to 44.3 mg of doxepin. Doxepin hydrochloride cream, 5% is a white to off white smooth cream available as follows:

NDC 51672-1404-2 carton containing one 30 g tube

NDC 51672-1404-9 carton containing one 45 g tube

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F)[see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

NDC 51672-1404-9

Doxepin Hydrochloride Cream 5%

FOR TOPICAL DERMATOLOGIC USE ONLY

Rx only

45 g