Hydroxyzine: what is it?

In order to reduce the effects of some anxiety-related conditions, medications with anxiolytic, sedative, and antiemetic properties can be used. One of the most recommended by health experts is hydroxyzine.

What is hydroxyzine? How is it used and what side effects does it have? What precautions should be taken when using this drug? We'll see the answers right away.

What is hydroxyzine?

Hydroxyzine is a drug with sedative, anxiolytic and antiemetic effects. It has been used as a drug since 1955 and has a well-known active ingredient, cetirizine. Its properties are ideal for treating anxiety or allergy problems. Provides antihistamine effects.

The name of this medicine can be modified depending on the country where the person is, being known as atarax or vistaril in the United States, while in Mexico it is known as akiskam, apodrox, torefegam, among others.

How is hydroxyzine used?

Molar mass: 374.904 g/mol

CAS number: 68-88-2

Trade name: Ataraxone, Ulcerax, Serecid, Vistaril

Formula: C 21 H 27 N 2 ClO 2

Half-life: 20.0 ± 4.1 hours.​

Metabolism: Hepatic

Bioavailability: High

Hydroxyzine is used to treat anxiety- related conditions, excessive itching of the skin, and also to treat an allergic reaction known as hives. It should be noted that each of the conditions mentioned has its particular age to be treated.

For example, to treat anxiety disorders, its use can only be indicated in adults. While excessive itching, as well as allergic reactions, can only be treated when these conditions appear in minors, which includes children.

In each patient, the treating physician must examine the health condition, as well as the frequency with which symptoms appear, to determine the best treatment.

How long does it take to take effect

Hydroxyzine can be administered in two ways, oral or intramuscular, both being rapid-acting. In fact, you only have to wait half an hour, maximum, to get it.

After its administration, and after producing the desired effect, hydroxyzine can spend a maximum of 14 hours in the body, before being expelled naturally. In the case of minors, they may require much less time to expel the rest of the drug.

Precautions when using hydroxyzine

Due to the strong effect it causes on the body, it is necessary that several precautions be taken during its treatment, thus avoiding falling victim to even more complicated problems. According to the National Library of Medicine, the following measures should be taken into account.

Allergies to its components

Although one of the effects of hydroxyzine is to eliminate allergic reactions, a patient could be allergic to some of its components, so it is necessary to investigate and know well what its components are. This allows one to determine whether or not the drug can be administered. Taking this into consideration, the doctor will determine the treatment to comply with.

It's important to note that, even if the person is not allergic to hydroxyzine, if they have allergic reactions to similar drugs, it is better not to use this presentation either.

Metabolism problems

Those who have difficulty processing food naturally should not use hydroxyzine, because the harm may be more than the benefit. In any case, the doctor will be the one who determines whether or not it's necessary to use this drug, so the recommendation is to report all this to the health professional.

Pregnancy

Those who are pregnant or suspect it should see a doctor immediately. This is due to the real danger that the consumption of hydroxyzine represents for the baby. The same is applicable to the lactation stage. The doctor must be aware of all these circumstances.

Heart problems

Those who suffer from heart conditions, such as prolongation of the QT interval, should not, under any circumstances, use this drug. It is very likely that the doctor will notice this condition during the medical examination, but if not, it is the patient's duty to report it.

Interaction with other drugs

The intake of hydroxyzine combined with other medicines can be harmful to health. Therefore, before starting treatment, the doctor should be informed about any drug that is being administered.

Dose

Finally, the best precaution that can be taken is to respect both the dose and the duration of treatment, always taking into account the indications of the health professional. Also, when the patient is elderly, the doctor may suggest a lower dose, due to how slowly the body gets rid of the rest.

And the amount to use will depend on the condition that is sought to improve, so it is necessary to be attentive to medical recommendations.

Hydroxyzine Side Effects

During the use of hydroxyzine it is normal for certain symptoms to appear, especially if it's the first time this drug is used. Among the most common, we find the following.

Heart rhythm disturbance. A faster rate of heartbeat may occur. Sometimes this can get worse, to the point of leading to loss of consciousness or trouble breathing.

Allergic reactions. In general, these appear in the form of blisters, which accumulate on the hands and feet.

Drowsiness. One of the recommendations during treatment is not to use vehicles, since the consumption of hydroxyzine produces a lot of sleep, in addition to the excessive sensation of fatigue.

confusion . There may be dizziness, a feeling of loss of location, nausea, and other similar symptoms. These are the most frequent.

Insomnia. Although it usually causes sleep, it is also capable of producing difficulty in falling asleep, leading to spending the whole night without being able to sleep. This is a very rare effect, but it can occur in patients using the drug for the first time.

There are many negative effects that can occur, and before all of them the treating physician should be informed. But usually the benefits are much greater, which is why health professionals recommend the use of hydroxyzine.