Xanax is a benzodiazepine, while Lexapro and Zoloft are antidepressants. Typically, it takes about five half-lives for a drug to completely leave your system. For hydroxyzine, this means the drug will stay in your system for about 70 hours after your last dose.
Hydroxyzine HCL: Usage, Dose, Side Effects, and Interactions
- This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug.
- However, doctors sometimes prescribe hydroxyzine off label for this use.
- This would be divided into two or more doses and taken over the course of a day.
Depending on the condition you’re using hydroxyzine to treat, your doctor may start you on a low dosage. Then, they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
If you experience any unusual or severe side effects, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider immediately. Do not make any changes to your prescription before speaking to your doctor and receiving permission to do so. You likely won’t take hydroxyzine oral tablets long term. And for treating anxiety, hydroxyzine has not been studied for more than 4 months of use. Your doctor will tell you how long you’ll need to take hydroxyzine.
Related/similar drugs
Hydroxyzine works by blocking the effects of histamine, a substance produced by the body in response to allergens. Histamine is responsible for the itching, redness, and swelling that occur during an allergic reaction. By blocking histamine, hydroxyzine can help relieve itching and reduce the appearance of hives.
Can hydroxyzine’s side effects vary depending on whether it’s taken for inducing sedation or treating anxiety?
If you’re receiving treatment for anxiety, your doctor will continually review your medications. This will help make sure you’re getting the best treatment for you. It’s very important that your child takes the exact dose of hydroxyzine prescribed for them. Paroxetine is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and … Since hydroxyzine also reduces activity in the central nervous system, it can be used as a sedative to treat anxiety and tension. It is also used together with other medications given during and after general anesthesia.
Drug strengths (10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg)
Before approving coverage for hydroxyzine oral tablets, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide whether the drug will be covered. Hydroxyzine oral tablets can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking hydroxyzine oral tablets.
But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine in a hospital. If vomiting has not occurred spontaneously, it should be induced. General supportive care, including frequent monitoring of the vital signs and close observation of the patient, is indicated. Hypotension, though unlikely, may be controlled with intravenous fluids and levarterenol or metaraminol.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. In some cases, your doctor may adjust your dosage from those shown below. But hydroxyzine’s effects extend beyond just allergy relief. It also has a calming effect on the central nervous system, which contributes to its use as an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) medication.
- For example, it helps your immune system fight off infections.
- Lorazepam is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines and is used to treat anxiety disorders …
- It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.
- This article describes the dosages of hydroxyzine oral tablet, as well as its strengths and how to take it.
They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does. This medication is often prescribed in addition to other medications to manage your condition.
Health Conditions
For more information about taking hydroxyzine oral tablets during pregnancy, see the “Hydroxyzine and pregnancy” section above. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about hydroxyzine oral tablets. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines.
The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, ask your pharmacist how to correctly dispose of it. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions or concerns about withdrawal from a medication. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re taking this drug. If you’re pregnant or planning to become hydroxyzine oral tablet: side effects, how to take, and more pregnant, talk with your doctor about safer options to treat your condition. It’s thought that hydroxyzine binding to histamine receptors in the brain is how the drug provides sedation and relieves anxiety.