Hydroxyzine

What is Hydroxyzine used for?

Hydroxyzine is a medicine that helps calm anxiety and nervousness. It can be used for anxiety related to mental health issues or physical illnesses. It also helps relieve itchy skin caused by allergies. Finally, it can help you relax before or after surgery.

How does Hydroxyzine work?

Hydroxyzine is a medicine that works quickly after you take it by mouth, usually within half an hour. It helps calm anxiety and itching and is sometimes used to help you relax before or after surgery. Doctors can't easily check how much is in your body. If you take too much, you'll mostly get very sleepy. To treat an overdose, doctors might make you vomit or wash out your stomach. Kidney dialysis (cleaning your blood) usually won't help unless you also took other drugs.

Is Hydroxyzine effective?

Hydroxyzine is a medicine that helps calm anxiety and nervousness. It can also ease itchy skin caused by allergies. Doctors sometimes give it before and after surgery to help patients relax and sleep.

How does one know if Hydroxyzine is working?

Hydroxyzine helps with anxiety, but studies only show it works well for up to four months. Doctors need to check if it's still helping you after that, and may need to adjust treatment.

What is the usual dose of Hydroxyzine?

This medicine comes in different amounts depending on your age and why you're taking it. Grown-ups with anxiety might take 50 to 100mg, up to four times a day. For kids under 6, it's 50mg total per day, split into smaller doses. Older kids (over 6) take 50 to 100mg daily, also split up. If you're taking it for itchy skin, grown-ups take 25mg, three or four times a day. Kids' doses for itchy skin are the same as for anxiety. Your doctor will figure out the best amount for you.

How do I take Hydroxyzine?

Hydroxyzine can be taken with or without food. Swallow tablets whole or use a proper measuring device for liquid form.

Avoid alcohol, as it can increase side effects. Follow your doctor’s instructions for use.

For how long do I take Hydroxyzine?

The typical duration of use for Hydroxyzine is usually short-term for managing anxiety, allergies, or sleep issues, typically lasting a few days to weeks. For long-term conditions, a doctor may adjust the treatment plan.

How long does it take for Hydroxyzine to start working?

If you take hydroxyzine by mouth, you'll usually start feeling its effects within 15 to 30 minutes.

How should I store Hydroxyzine?

Keep the medicine in a cool, dry place, between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. It's okay if the temperature goes a little higher or lower, between 59 and 86 degrees. Don't let it get wet. Make sure kids can't get to it. Throw it away if the package is damaged.

Who should avoid taking Hydroxyzine?

Hydroxyzine is a medicine that shouldn't be taken by pregnant women early in their pregnancy or people allergic to it or similar medicines (cetirizine, levocetirizine). It's also unsafe for people with certain heart conditions (long QT interval). Don't take it with alcohol or other drugs that make you sleepy. It's not known if it's safe for breastfeeding. If you have any risk factors for heart problems, talk to your doctor before taking it. Stop taking it immediately if you get a rash.

Can I take Hydroxyzine with other prescription drugs?

If you've had a serious allergic reaction (like AGEP) to hydroxyzine or a similar drug (like cetirizine or levocetirizine), don't take those medications again because you could have a similar reaction. If you start taking hydroxyzine and get a serious allergic reaction, stop taking it immediately and see a doctor. And, if you accidentally take too much hydroxyzine, don't use epinephrine to treat it; it won't help and might make things worse.

Can I take Hydroxyzine with vitamins or supplements?

Hydroxyzine may interact with:

1. Vitamin B6: May reduce the sedative effects of Hydroxyzine.
2. St. John’s Wort: Can decrease Hydroxyzine’s effectiveness by affecting its metabolism.

Consult a healthcare provider before using supplements with Hydroxyzine.

Can Hydroxyzine be taken safely while pregnant?

Hydroxyzine hasn't been fully tested in pregnant women, and animal studies showed problems in unborn animals at high doses. Because of this uncertainty, doctors recommend avoiding it during early pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Can Hydroxyzine be taken safely while breastfeeding?

Hydroxyzine is a medicine, and we don't know if it passes into breast milk. Because many medicines *do* pass into breast milk and could harm the baby, it's safer to avoid hydroxyzine while breastfeeding.

Is Hydroxyzine safe for the elderly?

For older people, start hydroxyzine at a very low dose. They're more likely to get confused or very sleepy from it. Because their bodies might not process medicine as well as younger people's, it's important to use the smallest effective dose. Their kidneys and liver might not work as well, so the doctor needs to be careful with the amount given. Other health problems or medicines they take also need to be considered.

Is it safe to exercise while taking Hydroxyzine?

Exercise is safe while taking hydroxyzine. However, if you feel dizzy or excessively drowsy, avoid strenuous activity and consult your doctor to manage side effects

Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Hydroxyzine?

Hydroxyzine can make you sleepy. Alcohol also makes you sleepy. If you drink alcohol while taking hydroxyzine, the sleepiness will be much stronger, possibly dangerous. So, if you're taking hydroxyzine, only drink a little alcohol, if any at all.