This grade answers one narrow question: how strong is the public evidence and safety record behind this drug, and how clean is its money trail and court record? It is not a verdict on whether the drug is right for you.
WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] . Doxepin hydrochloride capsules are not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]. WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. • Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adults taking antidepressants. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (5.1) • Doxepin hydrochloride capsules are not approved for use in pediatric patients (8.4)
SILENOR is indicated for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep maintenance. The clinical trials performed in support of efficacy were up to 3 months in duration . SILENOR (doxepin) tablets are indicated for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep maintenance. ( 1 , 14 )
Hypersensitivity to doxepin hydrochloride, inactive ingredients, or other dibenzoxepines. ( 4.1 ) Co-administration with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Do not administer if patient is taking MAOIs or has used MAOIs within the past two weeks. ( 4.2 ) Untreated narrow angle glaucoma or severe urinary retention. ( 4.3 ) 4.1. Hypersensitivity SILENOR is contraindicated in individuals who have shown hypersensitivity to doxepin HCl, any of its inactive ingredients, or other dibenzoxepines. 4.2. Co-administration with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Serious side effects and even death have been reported following the concomitant use of certain drugs with MAO inhibitors. Do not administer SILENOR if patient is currently on MAOIs or has used MAOIs within the past two weeks. The exact length of time may vary depending on the particular MAOI dosage and duration of treatment. 4.3. Glaucoma and Urinary Retention SILENOR is contraindicated in individuals with untreated narrow angle glaucoma or severe urinary retention.
Need to Evaluate for Co-morbid Diagnoses: Reevaluate if insomnia persists after 7 to 10 days of use. ( 5.1 ) Abnormal thinking, behavioral changes, complex behaviors: May include "Sleep-driving" and hallucinations. Immediately evaluate any new onset behavioral changes. ( 5.2 ) Depression: Worsening of depression or suicidal thinking may occur. Prescribe the least amount feasible to avoid intentional overdose. ( 5.3 ) CNS-depressant effects: Use can impair alertness and motor coordination. Avoid engaging in hazardous activities such as operating a motor vehicle or heavy machinery after taking drug. (5.4) Do not use with alcohol. ( 5.4 , 7.3 ) Potential additive effects when used in combination with CNS depressants or sedating antihistamines. Dose reduction may be needed. ( 5.4 , 7.4 ) Patients with severe sleep apnea: SILENOR is ordinarily not recommended for use in this population. ( 8.7 ) 5.1. Need to Evaluate for Comorbid Diagnoses Because sleep disturbances may be the presenting manifestation of a physical and/or psychiatric disorder, symptomatic treatment of insomnia should be initiated only after careful evaluation of the patient. The failure of insomnia to remit after 7 to 10...
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of labeling: Abnormal thinking and behavioral changes [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Suicide risk and worsening of depression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. CNS Depressant effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ]. The most common treatment-emergent adverse reactions, reported in ≥ 2% of patients treated with SILENOR, and more commonly than in patients treated with placebo, were somnolence/sedation, nausea, and upper respiratory tract infection. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Currax Pharmaceuticals LLC at 1-800-793-2145 and or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1. Clinical Trials Experience The pre-marketing development program for SILENOR included doxepin HCl exposures in 1017 subjects (580 insomnia patients and 437 healthy subjects) from 12 studies conducted in the United States. 863 of these subjects (580 insomnia patients and 283 healthy subjects) participated in six randomized, placebo-controlled efficacy studies with SILENOR doses of 1 mg, 3 mg, and 6 mg for up to 3-months in duration. Because clinical studies are conducted under ...
Source: FDA SPL label for Silenor (Currax Pharmaceuticals LLC), effective 20260421. Full label on DailyMed.
These are counts of reports people filed, not rates of harm. Anyone can file one, and nobody checks whether the drug was the cause. Millions of doses are taken for every report sent, so the useful part is how this drug compares with the average across all drugs.
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,506 | 1,218 | 1,067 | 958 | 937 | 932 | 936 | 419 |
1,779 reports blaming this drug for every million Medicare prescriptions filled, which is 0.6× the typical drug on this site. (2,262 reports in 2024–2026, against 1,271,244 Medicare fills in one year. This is the one number here that accounts for how many people take the drug.)
Source: the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports are voluntary and unverified. Drugs that are prescribed a lot, in the news, or in lawsuits attract more reports, so the percentages are compared with the whole database to correct for that partly, not fully.
| Date | Class | Firm | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07/2025 | Class II | Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited | CGMP Deviations: Presence of Nitrosamine Drug Substance Related Impurity above the proposed interim limit. |
Class I = reasonable probability of serious harm. Class II = temporary or reversible harm. Class III = unlikely to harm. Most generic recalls are manufacturing or labeling defects for one lot, not a verdict on the molecule.
Counts measure how much evidence exists and how transparent it is, not how big the benefit is. For that, ask your prescriber: if 100 people like me took this, how many would get better because of it, and how many would be harmed? (Doctors call these the "number needed to treat" and "number needed to harm.") It differs by condition and is the number drug ads leave out. Sources: PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov.
In 2024, drug companies reported $0 in payments to US physicians and hospitals tied to this drug across 0 transactions.
No pending federal MDL names this drug or its brands.
Not named in any federal pharmaceutical settlement of $100M or more on record.
Sources: CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act); Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation pending docket list; DOJ settlements as tabulated on Wikipedia with links to the primary record. State-court and individual suits are not included.
| Product | Fills | $/fill |
|---|---|---|
| Doxepin HCl | 1,270,415 | $52 |
| Silenor | 816 | $617 |
| Zonalon | 13 | $923 |
Same ATC pharmacological class, graded ones first, best grade at the top. Being in the same class does not make them interchangeable for your condition; it makes them worth asking about.