Uses
The combination of doxylamine and pyridoxine is used to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnant women whose symptoms have not improved after changing their diet or using other non-medicine treatments. Doxylamine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking the action of certain natural substances in the body that may contribute to nausea and vomiting. Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is a vitamin. It is given because a lack of pyridoxine in the body may also be a factor in causing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
Side Effects Of Doxylamine And Pyridoxine
Doxylamine and pyridoxine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- dry mouth, nose, and throat
- drowsiness
- headache
- restlessness
- dizziness
- muscle pain or weakness
- stomach pain
- constipation
- diarrhea
- rash
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking doxylamine and pyridoxine and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- vision problems
- blurred vision
- dilated pupils (black circles in the centers of the eyes)
- difficulty urinating or painful urination
- fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
- shortness of breath
- confusion
- seizures
Doxylamine and pyridoxine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking doxylamine and pyridoxine:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to doxylamine (Unisom); pyridoxine (vitamin B6); other antihistamine medications including carboxamide (Arbinoxa), clemastine (Tavist), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and promethazine (Phenergan); any other medications; or any of the ingredients in doxylamine and pyridoxine delayed-release or extended-release tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor if you are taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take doxylamine and pyridoxine if you are taking one or more of these medications.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: medications for colds, hay fever, or allergies; medications for depression; muscle relaxants; narcotic medications for pain; sedatives; sleep medications; and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma or other breathing problems, increased pressure in the eye or glaucoma (a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to a gradual loss of vision), ulcers, intestinal blockage, or difficulty urinating.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while taking doxylamine and pyridoxine.
- you should know that doxylamine and pyridoxine may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- avoid alcoholic beverages or products containing alcohol while taking doxylamine and pyridoxine. Alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
Dosage Of Doxylamine And Pyridoxine
The combination of doxylamine and pyridoxine comes as a delayed-release (releases the medication in the intestine to delay when the medication will start working) tablet and as an extended-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal) with a full glass of water. At first, your doctor will usually tell you to take it once a day at bedtime. If your symptoms of nausea and vomiting are not better, then your doctor may tell you to take the delayed-release tablet two or three times a day, or the extended-release tablet two times a day.
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take doxylamine and pyridoxine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the extended-release and delayed-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
