Methods of using low-dose doxepin for the improvement of sleep
Methods of preventing early awakenings, and improving sleep efficiency in hours 7 and 8 of a period of sleep, by administration of low doses of doxepin (e.g., 1-6 mg).
1. A method for treating insomnia, the method comprising:
administering an oral formulation comprising doxepin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a patient having a sleep disorder in which, for a given 8 hour period of desired sleep, the patient has difficulty staying asleep during the final 60 minutes of said period, wherein the oral formulation comprises a dosage of doxepin between about 1 and about 7 mg and is administered prior to bedtime.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the oral formulation is effective to improve the insomnia while minimizing next day residual sedation.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the oral formulation comprises one or more tablets.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein each tablet comprises a dosage of doxepin of about 3 mg.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the oral formulation comprises one or more capsules.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient has difficulty staying asleep during the final 45 minutes of said period.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient has difficulty staying asleep during the final 30 minutes of said period.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dosage of doxepin is about 1 mg.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dosage of doxepin is about 3 mg.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dosage of doxepin is about 6 mg.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is doxepin hydrochloride.
12. The method of claim 1 , where in the patient is 18 to under 65 years of age.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the dosage of doxepin is about 3 mg or about 6 mg.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the dosage of doxepin is about 3 mg.
15. The method of claim 13 , where in the dosage of doxepin is about 6 mg.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient is 65 years of age or older.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the dosage of doxepin is about 3 mg.