AboutEric Brandt Expertise I am a practicing pharmacist.On my drug information website, I have answered hundreds of questions to date. The articles posted on my site include Parkinson`s disease. depression, menopause, diabetes, sleep and aging, congestive heart failure, calcium channel blockers, thyroid hormone replacement therapy, ADHD, multiple sclerosis an more.
Experience I have experience in retail as well as hospital pharmacy pracice. Currently working in a hospital pharmacy. I am experienced in drug information. Over the last 6 years I have developed a successful web site for drug information.
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Expert: Eric Brandt Date: 2/27/2008 Subject: doxylamine succinate withdrawal
Question QUESTION: Hello, what a great site! Thanks for being here.
I took doxylamine succinate almost every night for 10 years and stopped 4 days ago after tapering to half the dose for a month. I am experiencing itching in random places and what seems like along certain dermatomes (?). It's mild and random but persistent. Scratching also seems to perpetuate the itch and trigger it in nearby spots. I'm wondering if this is related to the antihistamine withdrawal and how long I might expect it to continue. Thanks very much.
ANSWER: Hi Ali,
You did not tell me the reason why you took doxylamine for so long. Having that information would help me in analyzing what is going on with you.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.sc. Pharm
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi, Thanks for the response. I was taking doxylamine succinate for insomnia. I'm actually sleeping reasonably well without it now, to my suprise.
Answer Hi Ali,
I do not think the itching is due to antihistamine withdrawal. The itching was masked by the antihistamine when you used it. Whatever was causing the itch was relieved by the antihistamine. Consider changing soap used in your washing machine. It you are using feather pillows, it can cause an allegic reaction as can some synthetic materials. Consider changing to see if this is the cause of the allergic reaction.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.sc. Pharm
