Hydroxyzine is an organic chemical compound with antiallergic properties - it belongs to the group of 1st generation antihistamines. Besides, because it affects serotonin receptors, it has sedative and anxiolytic properties. As it belongs to the group of psychotropic drugs, it is available only on prescription in Poland. What are the indications and contraindications for the use of hydroxyzine? What are the side effects of its operation and what to do in the event of an overdose?
Hydroxyzine(LatinHydroxyzinum ) belongs to the 1st generation antiallergic drugs. It is an organic chemical compound. It is a multifunctional piperazine derivative, also used in psychiatry as a sedative and anxiolytic drug. It is also used quite often in hospital treatment, both in adults and in children.
How does hydroxyzine work?
The mechanism of action of hydroxyzine is related to the inhibition of the activity of centers in the subcortical layer of the central nervous system. Hydroxyzine does not inhibit the activity of the cerebral cortex itself, its task is to reduce the state of internal tension - i.e. stress.
In addition, it minimizes, and in some cases, even completely eliminates the feeling of fear and anxiety. It has antihistamine or antiallergic properties.
After oral administration, it penetrates the skin, thus reducing, for example, itching - that's why hydroxyzine is used in patients suffering, for example, from skin allergies.
What is hydroxyzine used for?
Hydroxyzine is mainly administered in situations such as:
- symptomatic treatment of anxiety and inner anxiety (as a sedative)
- symptomatic treatment of pruritus (as an antihistamine)
- anti-sickness (especially in children)
- in anxiety disorders and psychomotor agitation
- and also as a premedication before surgery (e.g. as a sedative and hypnotic agent)
Hydroxyzine price
Drugs containing hydroxyzine arerelatively cheap .
A package of 30 tablets with a dose of 25 mg costs about PLN 7. A 200 ml syrup with a dose of 2 mg / ml can be purchased for about PLN 12.
Price may vary depending on mg doseHydroxyzine hydrochloride in one tablet.
Contraindications to the use of hydroxyzine
Hydroxyzine should not be taken. if present:
- hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of the preparation and other hydroxyzine derivatives: cetirizine, aminophylline or ethylenediamine
- porphyria
- as well as pregnancy and breastfeeding
Patients with an increased risk of arrhythmias should be cautious, especially in the presence of water and electrolyte disturbances. If in such patients treatment with hydroxyzine is necessary, it should be under the constant supervision of a physician.
People with a lowered threshold of convulsive excitability andyoung childrenshould be especially careful because of the greater risk of side effects from the CNS - the risk of seizures increases.
Childrenare also more likely to experience side effects. Therefore, parents should be sensitized to pay attention to any disturbing changes in their children during the administration of the drug.
Hydroxyzine and alcohol
Alcohol consumption should definitely be avoided during treatment with hydroxyzine , which increases the risk of side effects, such as:
- excessive sleepiness and sedation
- dry mouth
- headache
- pressure drop
Under extreme conditions, the heart may even stop beating. Medicines should not be mixed with alcohol.
Hydroxyzine and drug interactions
Hydroxyzine may interact with other medications . Therefore, before starting treatment, tell your doctor about all preparations you are taking, including those available without a prescription. And like this:
- Hydroxyzine increases the effect of drugs that depress the CNS, e.g.
- non-opioid and opioid analgesics
- barbiturates
- sleeping pills
- sedative drugs
Using these drugs at the same time requires choosing the right dose, and sometimes changing one of them. All this to avoid unpleasant and even he alth-threatening side effects.
- Hydroxyzine reduces the effect of norepinephrine, which is supposed to increase blood pressure.
- It is not recommended to use MAO inhibitors and anticholinergic drugs in parallel with hydroxyzine, because it intensifies their effects.
- Hydroxyzine may potentiate the effects of drugsanticoagulants - then the patient's condition should be regularly monitored in order to select the appropriate dose to avoid, for example, uncontrolled bleeding.
You should also be careful when using hydroxyzine and sedative herbs, such as hop cones, lemon balm, valerian, they can intensify their effects and cause, for example, excessive sedation or a drop in blood pressure.
Side effects of hydroxyzine
Hydroxyzine may cause side effects. Not everyone will experience them, and their intensity may also vary. It all depends on the general condition of the patient.
The most commonly reported side effects are:
- sleepiness
- dry mouth
- headache, calming down
- feeling tired and weary
Less often:
- nausea
- insomnia
- dizziness
- trembling
- convulsions
- urinary retention
- dermatitis
- hives
- hypotension
Allside effectsshould be immediately reported to your doctor, who may, for example, decide to change the dose or, if necessary, change the drug.
Hydroxyzine overdose
When taking hydroxyzine, follow the recommendations of your doctor,you cannot modify the dose yourself . If you have the impression that the effect of the drug is too weak or too strong, please report it.
In case of overdose, i.e. taking too much of the drug, the following may occur:
- vomiting
- tachycardia
- sedation
- sleepiness
- headaches
- dry mouth
- impaired coordination of movements
- confusion
- hallucinations
And in the event of a heavy overdose, the following may appear:
- disturbance of consciousness
- respiratory disorders
- convulsions
- hypotension
- heart rhythm disturbance
- coma
- life-threatening circulatory collapse
In case of overdose, institute symptomatic treatment as soon as possiblesymptomatic treatment , e.g. in case of hypotension, norepinephrine or metaraminol may be administered.
Unfortunately, but at the moment no one has developed and tested a specificantidote , and subjecting the patient to hemodialysis does not bring the expected results.
You can only induce vomiting (unless it occurs spontaneously). Gastric lavage is also recommended, as well as constant monitoring of the patient's condition as well as monitoring of respiratory and circulatory functions.
Hydroxyzine and pregnancy and breastfeeding
No.there is no reliable research on the use of hydroxyzinein pregnant women . It is known thathydroxyzine crosses the placental barrier , reaching higher concentrations in the fetus than in the mother.
Animal studies (actually the only one ever conducted) have showna detrimental effect on reproductive performance . Hydroxyzine iscontraindicated during pregnancyand belongs to the category C drugs (these are drugs that have been shown to be embryotoxic and teratogenic in animal studies).
In newborns whose mothers received hydroxyzine in late pregnancy or during childbirth, the following was observed:
- hypotension
- movement disorders
- depression of the central nervous system
- hypoxia as well as urinary retention
Hydroxyzine dosage
Hydroxyzine availableis in the form of a syrup , which makes it easier to administer the drug to, for example, children. In addition, the most popular form istablets , but when oral administration is not possible, hydroxyzine can be givenas a solution for injection .
Hydroxyzine given orally in the form of a syrupis absorbed very quickly from the gastrointestinal tract , its effect can be felt 5 to 10 minutes after taking it, therefore it is sometimes also prescribed to adults syrup instead of tablets.
As this drug is a prescription drug, it is best to consult your doctor about the exact dosage.
Hydroxyzine - effect on driving ability
Hydroxyzine has significant (and even adverse) effectson the ability to driveand use machines. All this is due to its effects on the central nervous system.
People using the preparation should not drive or use machines, at least not at the beginning of therapy, until they have checked how the drug works on their bodies.
However, even during longer treatment, be careful and, for example, do not drive a car immediately after taking the preparation.
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