What is the difference between Doxepin Hcl and Nortriptyline Hcl?

Doxepin Hcl and Nortriptyline Hcl are both Tricyclic Antidepressants, so they work through the same broad mechanism. They differ in dosing, half-life, side-effect frequency, and how individual patients tolerate them. See the head-to-head sections below for the specifics.

Can Doxepin Hcl and Nortriptyline Hcl be used for the same conditions?

Both medications are prescribed for overlapping indications including Doxepin Hydrochloride Capsules and tension. Always verify with your prescriber and the current FDA label before switching.

Is Doxepin HCL the same as Nortriptyline HCL?

No. Doxepin HCL (Doxepin Hcl) and Nortriptyline HCL (Nortriptyline Hcl) are distinct medications. They are sometimes confused because of similar branding or because they treat overlapping conditions, but they have different active ingredients and different safety profiles.

Which has fewer side effects, Doxepin Hcl or Nortriptyline Hcl?

Side-effect frequency varies by individual. The side-effect comparison section on this page shows FAERS-reported events for each drug side by side. FAERS is voluntary reporting, so it reflects what patients and clinicians chose to report, not absolute population risk.

Can I switch from Doxepin Hcl to Nortriptyline Hcl?

Switching medications should always be done under prescriber supervision. The "patient stories" section on this page includes accounts from people who have made the switch and what their transition felt like, but those are individual experiences, not protocols.

Doxepin Hcl vs Nortriptyline Hcl

Compare Doxepin Hcl (Doxepin HCL) and Nortriptyline Hcl (Nortriptyline HCL), clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

Doxepin Hcl

Doxepin HCL · Tricyclic Antidepressant

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

Doxepin Hydrochloride Capsules

tension

depression

somatic symptoms and concerns

OralTablet

Nortriptyline Hcl

Nortriptyline HCL · Tricyclic Antidepressant

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

Nortriptyline hydrochloride

USP is indicated for the relief of symptoms of depression. Endogenous depressions are more likely to be alleviated than are other depressive states.

OralTablet

Quick Comparison

Doxepin HclNortriptyline Hcl

Drug Class

Tricyclic Antidepressant

Route

Oral

Half-Life

N/A

FDA Approved

N/A

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

Doxepin Hcl

Drug Not Working

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Insomnia

1-10%

Dizziness

1-10%

Itching

1-10%

Anxiety

1-10%

Nortriptyline Hcl

Drug Not Working

>10%

Headache

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Excessive Sweating

1-10%

High Blood Pressure

1-10%

Constipation

1-10%

Back Pain

0.1-1%

FDA Warnings

Doxepin Hcl

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behaviour (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders
Anyone considering the use of doxepin or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need
Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older
Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide

Nortriptyline Hcl

SUICIDALITY AND ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders
Anyone considering the use of nortriptyline hydrochloride or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need
Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older
Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for Doxepin Hcl vs Nortriptyline Hcl.

Doxepin Hcl vs Nortriptyline Hcl: What You Should Know

Key Differences

Both Doxepin Hcl and Nortriptyline Hcl belong to the Tricyclic Antidepressant class. While they share a similar mechanism of action, differences in pharmacokinetics, dosing, and side effect profiles may make one more suitable than the other for individual patients.

Safety Considerations

Doxepin Hcl carries 4 FDA warnings. Nortriptyline Hcl carries 4 FDA warnings. Patients should discuss all warnings and contraindications with their healthcare provider before starting or switching medications..

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Related Comparisons

Doxepin Hcl vs Nortriptyline Hydrochloride→Nortriptyline Hcl vs Nortriptyline Hydrochloride→Doxepin vs Doxepin Hcl→Doxepin vs Nortriptyline Hcl→Amitriptyline Hydrochloride vs Doxepin Hcl→Amitriptyline Hydrochloride vs Nortriptyline Hcl→

Primary sources

Every figure on this comparison links back to its primary source. See data sources and methodology for the full provenance trail.

Doxepin Hcl: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov
Nortriptyline Hcl: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov

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Doxepin Hcl vs Nortriptyline Hcl

Compare Doxepin Hcl (Doxepin HCL) and Nortriptyline Hcl (Nortriptyline HCL), clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

Doxepin Hcl

Doxepin HCL · Tricyclic Antidepressant

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

Doxepin Hydrochloride Capsules

tension

depression

somatic symptoms and concerns

OralTablet

Nortriptyline Hcl

Nortriptyline HCL · Tricyclic Antidepressant

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

Nortriptyline hydrochloride

USP is indicated for the relief of symptoms of depression. Endogenous depressions are more likely to be alleviated than are other depressive states.

OralTablet

Quick Comparison

Doxepin HclNortriptyline Hcl

Drug Class

Tricyclic Antidepressant

Route

Oral

Half-Life

N/A

FDA Approved

N/A

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

Doxepin Hcl

Drug Not Working

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Insomnia

1-10%

Dizziness

1-10%

Itching

1-10%

Anxiety

1-10%

Nortriptyline Hcl

Drug Not Working

>10%

Headache

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Excessive Sweating

1-10%

High Blood Pressure

1-10%

Constipation

1-10%

Back Pain

0.1-1%

FDA Warnings

Doxepin Hcl

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behaviour (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders
Anyone considering the use of doxepin or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need
Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older
Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide

Nortriptyline Hcl

SUICIDALITY AND ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders
Anyone considering the use of nortriptyline hydrochloride or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need
Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older
Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for Doxepin Hcl vs Nortriptyline Hcl.

Doxepin Hcl vs Nortriptyline Hcl: What You Should Know

Key Differences

Safety Considerations

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.