How Does Hydroxyzine Work For Anxiety

How To Use Hydroxyzine Pamoate

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually three or four times daily.

The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. In children, the dosage may also be based on weight. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than directed.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

Is Vistaril Or Xanax Better

Xanax has been shown to have a more pronounced effect at decreasing anxiety in transient symptom situations. The somnolence and amnesia tendencies tend to be comparable between the drugs. Vistaril appears to cause low blood pressure to a larger extent than Xanax, so therefore Xanax may be preferred in many instances of transient, short-term anxiety situations.

Tell Your Healthcare Providers

Telemedicine does not replace your primary care physician. It is important to keep your primary care physician, other healthcare providers, and pharmacist informed of all medications you are taking, including those prescribed by your Mantra-affiliated provider, as they can interact with other medicines you may be taking.

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How Does Hydroxyzine Work For Anxiety

Researchers dont know the whole process of how hydroxyzine works in our body, but they do agree on this that it basically changes the effects of 2 chemicals in our bodies: histamine and serotonin.

When hydroxyzine blocks the effects of histamine in our body, then we start feeling sleepy. A similar thing might happen with you after taking Benadryl or Nyquil. Whereas Serotonin is a chemical that affects our mood and Hydroxyzine has a unique effect on serotonin, thats why its the only antihistamine used in the treatment of anxiety.

Hydroxyzine Oral Tablet Interactions

Hydroxyzine oral tablets can interact with several other medications. They can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.

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Are There People Who Should Not Take Hydroxyzine

Hydroxyzine is quite safe for most anyone to use, whether they take it regularly or not. But it may be contraindicated in certain situations. For example, you should not take it if you:

• Have an allergic reaction to it.
• Have been diagnosed with long QT syndrome or have a family history of it.
• Are in your first or second trimester of pregnancy.
• Have or have had a blockage in your stomach or intestines.
• Have urination issues, such as bladder obstruction.
• Have glaucoma.
• Have heart disease or if your heart beats more slowly than normal.
• Have too little or too much potassium in your blood.
• Have recently suffered a heart attack.
• Are breastfeeding.

Does Hydroxyzine Change My Personality

We understand that you may have some questions about how hydroxyzine affects you, but you dont have to worry about it changing your personality. The goal of this treatment is to help restore you to your best selffeeling calmer and less worried.

Keep taking your medication as prescribed, and talk to us if you have any questions or concerns.

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Hydroxyzine Abuse Dependence And Addiction

Hydroxyzine has effective anxiolytic, hypnotic and sedative properties. It can induce feelings of relaxation and euphoria. On top of being versatile, this medication does not share any of the abuse, addiction or dependence potentials that come with other similar drugs. This is one of the primary reasons why this medication is extremely appealing to patients since a hydroxyzine high is not going to be too addictive.

Many patients whether hydroxyzine high will lead to abuse and dependence. It is possible, although the demographics that tend to fall victim to hydroxyzine abuse are teenagers.

To get a better idea of how others have reacted to hydroxyzine, check out Erowid for hydroxyzine, Atarax, hydroxyzine pam and Vistaril. This website provides a collection of reports on various experiences others have had with hydroxyzine. It tells you whether theyve gotten an Atarax high, or whether they felt nothing at all. Check out the hydroxyzine erowid experiences to find out more about the drug.

What To Ask Your Doctor

If you have questions about using hydroxyzine for anxiety, itching, or sedation, talk with your doctor.

You may want to ask your doctor about other treatments for these conditions. Below are a few articles you may find helpful:

Also, here are a few questions you may want to ask your doctor about hydroxyzine oral tablets:

• How long should I take hydroxyzine oral tablets?
• Should I use other treatments for anxiety, itching, or sedation while Im taking hydroxyzine?
• Can I take hydroxyzine oral tablets with acetaminophen or ibuprofen ?
• Will I have withdrawal symptoms if I stop taking hydroxyzine oral tablets?

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Common Side Effects Of Vistaril Vs Xanax

Anticholinergic side effects are common with both Vistaril and Xanax . Drowsiness, or somnolence, is a side effect of both drugs. Drowsiness can affect daily productivity and should be weighed against the benefits of treatment. Dry mouth also affects patients taking either Vistaril or Xanax. While there are remedies for dry mouth such as gum and mouth rinse, it may be very bothersome for some.

Vistaril is known to cause QT prolongation and Torsade de Pointes . Vistaril should be avoided in patients with a known history of QT prolongation or risk factors such as pre-existing cardiac disease, electrolyte imbalances, and drug use.

The following list is not intended to be a comprehensive list of adverse events. Consult your healthcare provider for a complete list of potential side effects.

Are There Side Effects Associated With Hydroxyzine

Hydroxyzine is generally a safe medication, but its important to talk with your Brightside provider about potential side effects of this treatment. Most of these effects are mild and go away as you get used to your medication.

Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Some common side effects include:

• Blurred vision
• Urinary retention

If you drink alcohol while taking hydroxyzine, it can make your side effects worse.;

In rare cases, you may experience serious side effects, including an allergic reaction causing difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling of your lips, tongue, or face. Hydroxyzine can also cause an increased or irregular heart rate, confusion, or hallucinations. In some men, hydroxyzine may cause an erection that lasts for more than four hours.;

With any serious side effects, contact your physician immediately, or call 911 if you feel the reaction is life-threatening.;

At Brightside, your health and safety are our highest priorities. We make sure you get individual attention and guidance to address any side effects and make sure you feel your best.

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Hydroxyzine Oral Tablet And Pregnancy

You shouldnt take hydroxyzine while pregnant. Animal studies have shown the drug can cause fetal harm.

When given to people late in pregnancy or during labor, hydroxyzine has caused side effects in newborns. These include low oxygen levels, drowsiness, and slowed reactions.

If youre pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about safer options to treat your condition.

Hydroxyzine isnt safe to take during pregnancy. If youre sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while youre taking this drug.

For more information about taking hydroxyzine oral tablets during pregnancy, see the Hydroxyzine and pregnancy section above.

Whats The Dosage Of Hydroxyzine For Panic Attacks

Hydroxyzine isnt approved for treating panic attacks. But it may be prescribed off-label for this use. Off-label drug use means using a drug for a purpose other than what its been approved for by the FDA.

If you have questions about using hydroxyzine for an off-label condition, such as panic attacks, talk with your doctor. They can provide you with more information.

You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking hydroxyzine. This is because alcohol can make hydroxyzines effects stronger, including its potential to cause side effects.

In particular, drinking alcohol while taking hydroxyzine could increase your risk for:

• feeling drowsy and less alert
• vision problems

If you have questions about how to stop drinking while youre taking hydroxyzine, talk with your doctor.

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How Does This Medication Work What Will It Do For Me

Hydroxyzine belongs to the class of medications called antihistamines. It is used to relieve itching and other symptoms caused by allergic conditions. It can help to alleviate itching due to an adverse reaction to opioid medications. It works by blocking the actions of one of the body’s natural chemicals known as histamine. Histamine is responsible for many of the symptoms seen when an allergic reaction occurs. The calming effects of hydroxyzine result from its sedating side effect.

It is also used to manage anxiety and tension caused by situations such as dental procedures or acute emotional problems. Hydroxyzine is sometimes used as part of the treatment of alcoholism. Hydroxyzine is also used to control nausea and vomiting .

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Dealing With A Psychological Addiction

While its not possible to get physically addicted or even dependent on hydroxyzine, some people may feel the need to take larger and larger doses. This is a form of psychological addiction although it has more to do with ones mental state than with the medication.

In these situations, you can still seek help from a recovery center, like Northpoint Washington. Well help you delve further into the underlying causes behind your addiction. Perhaps, youre using hydroxyzine as an escape for dealing with other situations, like with a hydroxyzine high. Or, perhaps, you simply have a personality that is prone to addiction.

If you believe that you are misusing hydroxyzine, we can help you learn how to identify triggers and build better habits. We offer therapies like mindfulness-based relapse prevention. While you might not be addicted or be susceptible to relapses, you can learn quite a lot from this type of therapy.

Therapies, like mindfulness-based relapse prevention, will teach you how to be more aware of your own mental state. It will also explore your relationship with addiction.

If youre interested, contact us for more information. Were happy to help!

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When Not To Take Hydroxyzine For Anxiety

We should never take hydroxyzine if we are allergic to it, or:

• You have long QT syndrome;
• If you are allergic to cetirizine or levocetirizine ; or
• You are in the first trimester of pregnancy.

When youre consulting your doctor, tell him if you have:

• blockage in your digestive tract ;
• bladder obstruction or other urination problems;
• glaucoma;

• Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.;
• If youre taking a liquid form of the medicine, do not freeze it.;
• Keep all your medications away from children and pets.
• Properly discard outdated medicine. Never pour them in a drain or flush them unless youre given instructions to do so. In a state of confusion, ask your healthcare about how to dispose of your medicines.;

Hydroxyzine Is An Antihistamine Similar To Benadryl Its Often Prescribed By Doctors To Treat Sleeplessness Especially Insomnia Resulting From Anxiety

Its 2 A.M. and youre lying in bed wide awake. You havent been able to get a truly restful night of sleep all week and you can feel your daytime hours suffering because of it.

Tomorrow is a busy day and youre really becoming concerned with how youre going to make it through without nodding off at your desk. Youre desperate for some sleep.

So what do you do?

For many people, situations like this mean turning to an antihistamine to get some shuteye. In fact, 1 in 5 adults regularly rely on over-the-counter sleep medication. And antihistamines are among the most commonly used.

Aleve PM, Unisom Sleep Tablets, and Nyquil all have antihistamine ingredients. And Benadryl, another antihistamine, is one of the most often used sleep aids- even by those who dont suffer from any allergies at all.

But working your way through the drug store sleep isle isnt always reliable or effective. In fact, despite your best efforts and countless purchases, you might still be awake.

When youve tried everything you can think of- from white noise to melatonin- it may be time to work with a doctor and see if a prescription sleep aid might be helpful to you.

Hydroxyzine, a prescription antihistamine, is one prescription your doctor may consider. Here, well go over what you need to know about this medication and how it can help when insomnia wont let you sleep.

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Is Hydroxyzine A Controlled Substance Such As A Benzodiazepine And Is It Addictive

No, hydroxyzine isnt a controlled substance. And its not known to cause addiction.

Controlled substances are drugs regulated by the government to prevent possible misuse. You can learn more about controlled substances at the Drug Enforcement Agency website.

If you have concerns about addiction and any of the medications you may be taking, including hydroxyzine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light, excess heat and moisture .

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

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How Can Hydroxyzine Treat Anxiety

It all comes down to the way that hydroxyzine interacts with two fundamental chemicals in our bodies that regulate our mood and sleep behavior: histamine and serotonin. Simply put, an antihistamine blocks the effects of histamines in the body, helping you feel more relaxed and sleepy so you can fall asleep faster. You may recall how a medication like Nyquil that you take for the common cold or flu can make you feel sleepy. That is due to the fact its an antihistamine.;

Since generalized anxiety disorder includes problems with sleep and insomnia, hydroxyzine is typically used to treat GAD over other types of anxiety disorders.;

Social Anxiety Is My Old Friend

Nonetheless, when used appropriately, benzodiazepines can play an important role in the treatment of an anxiety disorder. For example, they are sometimes used in combination with an SSRI for the first few weeks of treatment before the SSRI reaches maximum efficacy. Long-term treatment with a benzodiazepine may be appropriate for some individuals with anxiety but is not considered to be first-line treatment and should only be used in this way under the care of a psychiatrist.

Buspirone. Buspar is a medication sometimes used to treat anxiety. Like SSRIs, buspirone works by influencing the neurons which use serotonin to communicate, but unlike SSRIs, which increase the amount of serotonin available to all serotonin receptors, buspirone affects only one specific subtype of serotonin receptor. An advantage of this selectivity is that buspirone does not cause the sexual side effects sometimes associated with SSRIs. Like SSRIs and SNRIs, buspirone may take 4-to-6 weeks to reach maximum efficacy.

Gabapentin. Neurontin is primarily used to treat seizures and nerve pain but is also used with some frequency by psychiatrists to treat anxiety. Like hydroxyzine, gabapentin works quickly and without many of the problems associated with benzodiazepines. However, there may be a withdrawal syndrome associated with gabapentin and some patients experience significant drowsiness. Like SSRIs, gabapentin may also be associated with an increased risk of suicide.

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Warnings Or Precautions Involved With Taking Hydroxyzine

Before taking hydroxyzine, make sure to let your doctor know if you have any medical conditions or allergies. Its also important to inform your doctor of the other medications youre taking to ensure that there will be no adverse effects between the two.

Atarax and Vistaril are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. The medication may affect the fetus. Also, it is not known whether the compounds in this medication will diffuse into breastmilk.

Seniors should also use extra caution if they are taking this medication. This is because the sedative effects of this medication tend to be more pronounced as an individual gets older.

Due to the sedative effects of this medication, dont drive after youve taken it.