How and when to take dosulepin

Dosage and strength

Dosulepin comes in 2 different strengths – either 25mg capsules or 75mg tablets.

The usual dose is:

• depression – 75mg to 150mg a day. Your dose may gradually go up to 225mg a day if your specialist recommends it. The maximum dose for depression is 225mg a day
• pain relief or preventing migraines – 75mg a day taken in the evening. Your dose may start at 25mg a day and gradually go up to 75mg a day. The maximum dose for pain or migraine is 150mg a day

How to take it

You'll usually take dosulepin once a day before bedtime. This is because it can make you feel sleepy.

If you're still feeling drowsy the next day, try taking it earlier in the evening.

Sometimes, if you're just starting treatment, your doctor may tell you to take a lower dose, 2 or 3 times a day until you get used to the medicine. This will reduce the chance of side effects.

Dosulepin does not usually upset your stomach, so you can take it with or without food.

Swallow the tablet or capsule whole with a drink of water. It will taste bitter, so do not chew it.

How long to take it for

For depression

Once you're feeling better, it's likely that you'll continue to take dosulepin for several more months.

Most doctors recommend that you take antidepressants for 6 to 12 months after you have stopped feeling depressed. Stopping before then can make your depression come back.

But dosulepin is no longer recommended instead of other antidepressants, so talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking it. They may suggest taking another antidepressant.

Whether you change to another antidepressant or stay on dosulepin will depend on:

• how severe your symptoms are
• how often your symptoms happen
• how well dosulepin works for you
• whether you have had any severe side effects

For pain or preventing migraines

Some people take dosulepin for many months, or even for years. But dosulepin is no longer recommended instead of other antidepressants used to treat pain, such as amitriptyline.

Talk to your doctor about staying on dosulepin or switching to another medicine to treat or prevent pain.

If you forget to take it

If you take dosulepin once a day and forget a dose, take your next dose the next day at the usual time.

If you take dosulepin 2 or 3 times a day and forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time.

Never take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

Stopping dosulepin

Do not stop taking dosulepin without talking to your doctor. You may get withdrawal symptoms, especially if you stop taking it suddenly. These side effects are a reaction to coming off the medicine.

The side effects are usually harmless but unpleasant. They may include headaches, flu-like symptoms, feeling sick, finding it hard to sleep, and feeling restless or anxious.

If you and your doctor agree that you should stop taking dosulepin, your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks.

If you're switching to another medicine, your doctor will explain how to introduce it slowly.

If you take too much