Eczema Treatment

November 20, 2004 11:28 PM

Any experiences with using the medication Doxepin in treating the itching associated with eczema?

All the information on google associates the oral dosage (which I have been prescribed) with treatment for depression and anxiety. I've seen links regarding a topical ointment with the same medication involved for this purpose but no info on the pill. Any experiences you all can share would be welcome.

posted by chiababe to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

Best answer: It's an off-label use, as far as I know, but I wouldn't be surprised if it works. This class of drugs has prominent anti-histamine and anti-cholinergic effects, much like your good old standbys diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and hydroxyzine (Atarax). Doxepin may not be quite as sedating.

I find Benadryl to be a powerful euphoriant - so as you see these drugs have considerable overlap in their effects.
posted by ikkyu2 at 3:13 AM on November 21, 2004

Are you guys saying that eczema is a symptom of depression or just a coincidence that the medication can treat both illnesses? Holy cow for the former!
posted by billsaysthis at 3:26 PM on November 21, 2004

bst: It's the latter. Histamine and acetylcholine are neurotransmitters used extensively throughout the body.
posted by tss at 3:33 PM on November 21, 2004

Have you already tried topical Elidel or Protopic?
posted by docpops at 4:34 PM on November 21, 2004

Response by poster: Elidel is only effective on my face and protopic tends to cause me to break out herpes-related infections near where I try to use it. My eczema is ALL over, not really concentrated in any one place, so using those little tubes of ointment would kill me financially if I tried to get everything covered.
posted by chiababe at 7:19 PM on November 21, 2004

Chia, have you consulted a dermatologist?

Itching due to atopic dermatitis is an FDA-approved indication for Doxepin cream, but I see what you're saying about it being all over. If you want to reduce itching, you could try Atarax 25mg orally every 3-4 hours (hydroxizine hydrochloride), but you'll need a prescription. It's an antihistamine like benadryl. Your best bet is seeing a dermatologist.
posted by cahlers at 4:35 AM on November 22, 2004