Zonalon: Drug Information

Generic name: Doxepin

Brand Name: Sinequan, Sinquan, Aponal, Adapin, Deptran

Other names: Doxedep, Doxin, Doxetar, Spectra

Drug Class: Tricyclic, Antidepressant

Uses of Zonalon:

Zonalon is a tricyclic antidepressant drug that is widely used a mood elevator to treat depression and anxiety disorders. It is also used to treat chronic pain, peptic ulcer and certain skin disorders. It works by inhibiting the reuptake of monoamines at the brain synapse. This medicine is not a mono amine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) but has anticholinergic, antiserotonin and antihistamine properties that have a calming impact on smooth muscle.

Dosage:

It is recommended that you take the medication as advised by your health care professional. It can be taken with or without food at equal intervals about the same time each day. DO NOT stop taking the medicine all of a sudden even if you feel better as it might worsen your present condition.

Warning and Precautions:

It is essential for you to inform your physician if you are allergic to Zonalon or any other drugs

Zonalon should not be given to patients with mania, glaucoma, urinary tract infection and kidney disease.

This medicine is not meant to be administered to neonates.

In case you have a history of epilepsy, hypertension, cardiovascular disease or tachycardia you must notify your doctor prior to taking this medicine as regular monitoring and caution is advised under these conditions.

DO NOT take the medicine along with any sort of anesthetics.

If you are pregnant or lactating, you must tell your doctor beforehand.

Avoid taking alcohol with Zanolan as it increases its sedative effect.

Drug Interactions:

Zonalon should not be co-administered with barbiturates and methylphenidate.

It should not be given along with clonidine, reserpine, guanethidine, methyldopa and bethanidine as it reduces their hypotensive action.

Zonalon shows increased anticholinergic effects with mono amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

This medicine should not be taken if the patient is on sympathomimetics.

Side Effects of Zonalon:

Some of the most common side effects of Zonalon are drowsiness, dizziness, dryness of the mouth, hypotension, confusion, constipation, headache, insomnia, skin rashes, flushing, tachycardia, blurring of vision and sleep disturbances.