About Doxepin. As many seniors do, I also suffer from extreme inability to stay asleep at night. I have trialed through all the known prescription and non prescription possibilities, only eszopiclone and baclofen seem to show some promise, however, eszopiclone is DEA listed, requires higher and higher doses, and if I take it more than say 2 weeks, it has rather serious side effects attempting to withdraw, addictive, serious anxiety, trying to wean oneself off it. Doxepin is prescribed as an antidepressant in large doses, one of the most potent H1 histamine antagonists known. The H1 system in our bodies promotes wakefulness. In very low doses, doxepin acts against the H1 to promote sleep. To avoid the upcharges of low dose doxepin, I am prescribed the high dose version, which I have to break the capsules to administer about 5 to 10 mg. placed in an empty gelatin capsule (it's bitter). It really works well, however you are fairly tired and useless the next day.

Have you tried Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

I am a lifelong sufferer of insomnia (though mostly sleep onset) and tried all sorts of increasingly risky things. CBT cured me in ~2 months.