Doxepin: what did the insomnia trial show?
240 older adults with chronic primary insomnia were randomized to doxepin 1 mg (77), 3 mg (82), or placebo (81) nightly for 12 weeks.
The 3 mg dose improved the primary first-night wake-time-after-sleep-onset endpoint; sleep-maintenance benefits remained at night 85. Some outcomes also improved with 1 mg. Safety profiles were comparable, with no significant next-day residual effects detected.
Older adults with primary insomnia, followed for 12 weeks. Results do not establish safety of higher doses or exclude uncommon adverse events.
These results apply to the studied population, formulation and follow-up.
What might this mean, and what would change the interpretation?
This is a selected trial summary, not a full literature review or formal quality appraisal.
What would clarify this: Further studies of long-term outcomes and different patient groups.
Findings reviewed · abstract
Checked Sep 23, 2026 against the linked abstract. This reading note is not a formal risk-of-bias appraisal.