Compare Belsomra vs. doxepin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Helps you sleep.
Belsomra (suvorexant) helps you fall asleep, but is only avaliable as a brand name so can be expensive.
Treats depression and anxiety.
doxepin can treat depression and anxiety, but it's not a first choice medication because of its many side effects.
Upsides
- May be helpful if other sleep aids don't work.
- Works quickly, especially on an empty stomach.
- Might be a good option for the elderly.
- doxepin has been consistently shown to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- doxepin has been used to treat depression for over forty years.
Downsides
- Not usually used for long-term treatment since it can be habit-forming.
- Belsomra (suvorexant) is likely expensive since it's only available as a brand name, but coupon savings program could be available.
- Not recommended if you do not plan to sleep for at least 7 hours.
- Belsomra (suvorexant) may cause sleep paralysis.
- doxepin can make you very sleepy. Try taking it at bedtime if you need to be alert during the day.
- You shouldn't drink alcohol with doxepin. It can worsen side effects like drowsiness.
- You have to take it daily, especially if you are feeling better, for the medicine to do its job.
- It can have more side effects than other antidepressants, like weight gain and increased appetite, decreased libido, and sleepiness.
- It's not unusual for people to try different antidepressants until they find one that works for them.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
- Liquid
Price
Lowest price
$409.80
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$7.95
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Reviews
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Side effects
8possible side effects
- Headache7%
- Sleepiness7%
- Dizziness3%
- Diarrhea2%
- Dry mouth2%
- Cold and flu2%
- Abnormal dreams2%
- Cough2%
The doxepin FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Changes in thoughts
- Uncontrolled psychiatric conditions
- Alcohol
- Other medicines that make you sleepy or dizzy
- Hangover effect
- Alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Less than 7 hours of sleep after taking Belsomra (suvorexant)
- Dependence and withdrawal
- Continuous use for 2 weeks or more
- Depression
- Risk increases with dose
- Past history of depression
- Difficulty breathing
- Sleep apnea
- COPD
- Sleep paralysis
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Age 24 years or under
- Unmasking of bipolar disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Serotonin syndrome
- Taking MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)
- Heart problems
- History of heart disease
- Adults over 65
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Sleepiness
- Adults 65 years or older
- Taking other medicines that cause drowsiness (antihistamines, sleep medications, narcotic pain medications)
- Alcohol
- Dizziness and falls
- Age 65 years or older