What is Nytol Maximum Strength (Doxylamine)?

Doxylamine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
Doxylamine is sometimes combined with other medicines to treat sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose caused by allergies or the common cold.
Doxylamine as a single drug (not part of a combination) is used as a short-term treatment for sleep problems (insomnia).
Doxylamine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Nytol Maximum Strength (Doxylamine)?

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Use this medication as directed on the label, or as your doctor has prescribed. Do not use the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about taking this medication if you have glaucoma, kidney disease, an enlarged prostate, problems with urination, a stomach ulcer or obstruction, or a chronic lung disease such as bronchitis or emphysema.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. It is best to take doxylamine only when you can devote several hours to sleep. If it is almost your normal waking hour, skip the missed dose and wait until you are ready for bed again. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
There may be other drugs that can interact with doxylamine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Get emergency medical help if you think you have used too much medicine, or if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking this medication. It can add to drowsiness caused by an antihistamine.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Nytol Maximum Strength (Doxylamine)?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to doxylamine or other antihistamines.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medication if you have:

• glaucoma
• kidney disease
• an enlarged prostate
• problems with urination
• stomach ulcer or digestive tract obstruction; or
• bronchitis, emphysema or other chronic lung disease

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
This medication may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 12 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Nytol Maximum Strength Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Nytol Maximum Strength (Doxylamine)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior
• severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness
• urinating less than usual or not at all
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or

Less serious side effects may include:

• blurred vision
• dry mouth
• nausea, stomach pain, constipation
• dizziness, drowsiness
• problems with memory or concentration
• ringing in your ears
• restless or excitability (especially in children)

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Nytol Maximum Strength Interactions

What other drugs affect Nytol Maximum Strength (Doxylamine)?

Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, other sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by doxylamine. Tell your doctor if you need to use any of these other medicines while you are taking doxylamine.
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• a diuretic (water pill)
• diphenhydramine (Benadryl) applied to the skin as a spray, cream, lotion, gel, or stick
• bronchodilators such as ipratroprium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva)
• medication to treat irritable bowel syndrome
• bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol) or tolterodine (Detrol)
• aspirin or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan’s Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others); or
• other antihistamines, or medicine to treat motion sickness

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with doxylamine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Nytol Maximum Strength (Doxylamine)?

Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or sleep medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Antihistamines are contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much antihistamine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains an antihistamine such as doxylamine, chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine.
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking this medication. Alcohol can add to drowsiness caused by an antihistamine.

Nytol Maximum Strength Dosage

How should I take Nytol Maximum Strength (Doxylamine)?

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Take this medicine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.
The chewable tablet must be chewed thoroughly before you swallow it.
To treat insomnia, doxylamine is usually taken within 30 minutes of bedtime. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Talk with your doctor if your sleep problems do not improve after 2 weeks of treatment.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking an antihistamine.
Store doxylamine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Nytol Maximum Strength (Doxylamine)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, loss of coordination, dry mouth, or seizure (convulsions).

What happens if I miss a dose of Nytol Maximum Strength (Doxylamine)?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. It is best to take doxylamine only when you can devote several hours to sleep. If it is almost your normal waking hour, skip the missed dose and wait until you are ready for bed again. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com