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Introduction About SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE
SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE contains Doxepin which belongs to the group of medicines called Tricyclic Antidepressants. It is used to manage depression (mood disorder with the symptoms of sadness, loss of interest and suicidal thoughts) and difficulty in sleeping because of depression.
Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE as it can cause drowsiness. SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE is not suitable for use in patients with severe liver disease, who suffer from a type of mood disorder called mania (abnormally elevated mood state), have glaucoma (increased eye pressure), or have difficulty in passing urine.
Before taking SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE inform your doctor if you have suicidal thoughts or have attempted suicide in the past, have kidney, heart problems or had a heart attack recently, intolerant to certain sugars, have epilepsy (fits), are going to have an operation or dental surgery. If you have thoughts of harming or killing yourself (increased when first starting antidepressants, since these medicines take time to work) inform your doctor immediately.
SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in pregnant or breast-feeding women, consult your doctor for advice. It is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age and caution to be exercised in elderly patients. The most common side effects of taking SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE are drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation Consult your doctor if the symptom worsens.
Uses Of SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE
- it is used to manage depression associated with symptoms of feeling sad, tearful, unable to enjoy life, or difficulty in sleeping
How SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE Works
SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE works by increasing the concentration of the neurotransmitter called serotonin (a chemical that acts as a messenger between nerve cells of brain and throughout the body) and norepinephrine (a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in body’s fight-flight response) in the brain as these substances are found to be low in the depressed and anxiety patients.
How to use SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE
Take SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE as advised by your physician.
For Tablet, Capsule: Swallow SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine.
For Dispersible Tablet: Disperse SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE in the specified quantity of water as mentioned on the label. Consume the mixture immediately after reconstitution.
Take this medicine while standing or sitting upright. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.
Side Effects Of SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE
Common
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- constipation
Uncommon
- skin rash
- itching
- face swelling
- pink, itchy swellings on the skin, hives
- increased sensitivity of the skin to sun
Rare
- difficulty in passing urine
- breast enlargement in both men and women, breast milk production when not pregnant or breastfeeding
- irregular heartbeat
- jaundice (yellow eyes or skin)
- seizures (fits)
- hallucinations (Seeing, feeling, or hearing things that are not there)
- ataxia (problems with coordination, balance, and speech)
- signs of blood disorders such as fever or chills and painful ulceration in the mouth or rectum, unusual bruising or bleeding, anemia
- ringing or buzzing in the ears
- urinating less than normal (excessive production of antidiuretic hormone)
Stop taking SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- thoughts of suicide, harming or killing yourself or worsening of depression or anxiety
- bone fractures
How To Manage Side Effects
Constipation:
Eat plenty of fiber rich foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and cereals and drink plenty of water. Exercise more regularly. Consult your doctor if symptoms don't improve.
Drowsiness:
When you feel drowsy, lie, or sit down immediately. If you're experiencing a severe episode of vertigo, lie in a dark and quiet place with eyes closed. Vehicle driving should be avoided if you experience frequent drowsiness without warning. Talk to your doctor if the symptoms worsen.
Dry mouth:
Dry mouth can be managed by chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free hard candies to stimulate the flow of saliva. Sip water at regular intervals of time. Do not use mouthwashes that contain alcohol because they can be drying. Consult your doctor if symptoms don't improve.
Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy
SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in pregnancy or women planning to have a baby. Consult your doctor before taking SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE.

Breastfeeding
SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor for advice before taking it.

Driving and Using Machines
Do not drive or operate any machines if you feel sleepy after taking this medicine. Consult your doctor before taking SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE.

Alcohol
Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE as it may cause drowsiness.

Kidney
SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE should be taken with caution in patients with kidney problems. Dose will be adjusted by your doctor. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Liver
SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver problems. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Allergy
SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use if you are allergic to Doxepin or any other ingredients of this medicine.

Heart Disease
SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE should be taken with caution in patients who had a heart attack recently or have any other heart problems. Before taking SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE consult with your doctor.
Others
SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use if you have:
- mood disorder called mania (abnormally elevated mood state)
- glaucoma (increased eye pressure)
- difficulty in passing urine
Before taking SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE, inform your doctor if you have:
- suicidal thoughts or have attempted suicide in the past
- fits (epilepsy)
- intolerant to certain sugar
- are going to have a surgical operation or dental surgery
Use in pediatrics:
SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age. Consult your doctor before taking SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE.
Use in geriatrics:
SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE is used with caution in elderly patients. Dose will be adjusted by your doctor. Before taking SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE, consult your doctor.
Interactions
A. Drug - Drug interactions:
Before taking SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors like isocarboxazid, phenelzine (medicines used to manage depression)
- barbiturates like phenobarbital, pentobarbital (medicines used to manage insomnia) or other sleeping medicines like triazolam, zolpidem
- medicines like telmisartan, losartan. captopril used to lower blood pressure
- sympathomimetics, such as nasal decongestants (Ex. oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine) and bronchodilators (Ex. salmeterol, albuterol) both are used for cold and hay fever
- medicines like fluticasone, beclomethasone used to manage asthma
- cimetidine (medicine used to manage ulcers and other stomach complaints)
- thyroid hormones like thyroxine (medicine used to manage thyroid disorders)
- chlorpromazine (medicine used to manage mental illness)
- sublingual nitrates like nitro-glycerine (used to manage angina and heart failure)
- buprenorphine/opioids (medicine used to manage opioid overdose)
Overdosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Signs and symptoms of overdose include drowsiness, stupor (nearly unconscious), blurred vision and excessive dryness of the mouth. Severe overdose may cause loss of consciousness, reduced breathing rate, convulsions (fits), low blood pressure, unusually fast heartbeat, or palpitations.
Synopsis
Drug | : | Doxepin |
Pharmacological Category | : | Tricyclic Antidepressants |
Therapeutic Indication | : | Depression and difficulty sleeping |
Dosage Forms | : | Tablet, Capsule, Cream, Dispersible Tablet |
More Information
- Keep SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE out of reach of children
- Store at room temperature
FAQs About SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE
How does SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE work?
SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE works by increasing the concentration of the neurotransmitter called serotonin (a chemical that acts as a messenger between nerve cells of brain and throughout the body) and norepinephrine (a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in body’s fight-flight response) in the brain as these substances are found to be low in the depressed and anxiety patients.
What is SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE used for?
SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE is used to manage depression (mood disorder with the symptoms of sadness, loss of interest and suicidal thoughts) and difficulty in sleeping because of depression.
Does SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE cause drowsiness?
Yes, this medicine may cause drowsiness in some people. When you feel drowsy, lie, or sit down immediately. If you're experiencing a severe episode of vertigo, lie in a dark and quiet place with eyes closed. Talk to your doctor if the symptoms worsen.
Can SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE be taken with Zolpidem?
No, taking SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE along with Zolpidem may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Is SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE addictive?
No, SPECTRA 25MG CAPSULE is one of the few medicines used to manage insomnia that doesn’t cause addiction or dependency. Consult your doctor for more information on safety measures.
References
1. KD. Tripathi. Antidepressants and Anti-Anxiety Drugs. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Eighth edition. 2019. Page –481-489.
2. Marie Rosa Mews, CandMed, Felicitas Rombold, MSc, and Arnim Quante, MD. Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Doxepin in Depressed Patients Suffering From Insomnia: A Retrospective, Naturalistic Case Series Analysis. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. PubMed Central. January 2014. [Accessed 27th May 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4048140/
3. Anasheh Almasi; Carlos E. Meza. Doxepin. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. Statpearls. January 2022. [Accessed 27th May 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542306/
4. Recipharm Uppsala AB. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in August 2021]. [Accessed 27th May 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.13073.pdf
5. Morningside Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in May 2021]. [Accessed 27th May 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.13350.pdf.
6. Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. U.S. Food & Drug Administration [Revised in May 2014] [Accessed 27th May 2022] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/070791s027lbl.pdf
7. Dailymed. Doxepin (3mg). [Revised in January 2022] [Accessed 27th May 2022] DailyMed - DOXEPIN HYDROCHLORIDE tablet (nih.gov)