Clozapine and Doxepin interaction

Clozapine and Doxepin: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.

Major

Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.

What the FDA labels say

From the Clozapine (Clozaril) label · effective 2025-06-06

Major

When possible, avoid concomitant use, with other anticholinergic medications because the risk for anticholinergic toxicity or severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions is increased [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 ), Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )].

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

• Anticholinergic Toxicity : When possible, avoid use with other anticholinergic drugs and use with caution in patients with a current diagnosis or prior history of constipation, urinary retention, clinically significant prostatic hypertrophy, or other conditions in which anticholinergic effects can lead to significant adverse reactions.

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

Use with caution in patients with a current diagnosis or prior history of constipation, urinary retention, clinically significant prostatic hypertrophy, or other conditions in which anticholinergic effects can lead to significant adverse reactions.

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Minor

Such drugs include specific antidepressants, phenothiazines, carbamazepine, and Type 1C antiarrhythmics (e.g., propafenone, flecainide, and encainide).

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed

From the Doxepin (Silenor) label · effective 2026-04-21

Moderate

Potential additive effects when used in combination with CNS depressants or sedating antihistamines.

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

Although behaviors such as "sleep-driving" may occur with hypnotics alone at therapeutic doses, the use of alcohol and other CNS depressants with hypnotics appears to increase the risk of such behaviors, as does the use of hypnotics at doses exceeding the maximum recommended dose.

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

When taken with SILENOR, the sedative effects of alcoholic beverages, sedating antihistamines, and other CNS depressants may be potentiated [s ee Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Drug Interactions (7.3 , 7.4) ].

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

Patients should be cautioned about potential additive effects of SILENOR used in combination with CNS depressants or sedating antihistamines [s ee Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Drug Interactions (7.4) ].

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

CNS Depressants and Sedating Antihistamines: Sedative effects may be increased with doxepin.

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed

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Not medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.